Chapter 1
The Hogwarts express was rushing through the plains, and Jemma Simmons, already in her uniform, a big smile plastered on her face, couldn’t even focus on the book she had opened in her lap. She was quite fond of books, almost to a fault, according to some, but the view the young Hogwarts student was getting from the window of her wagon was breathtaking.
To say that Jemma was excited was an understatement. She could barely keep herself from bouncing on her seat. She had heard so much about Hogwarts : that was where her father, like most wizards of this country, had studied, and he had told her a lot about it. She wondered if she was going to end up in Hufflepuff, like he had - but a part of her felt as though she belonged in Ravenclaw. After all, they valued thirst for knowledge, and that was one of Jemma’s proeminent characteristics.
She was torn from her thoughts when the compartiment’s door opened. The young girl turned her head, spotting a curly-haired, blue-eyed young boy coming into the wagon hastily, as though he was running from something. His cheeks were red, and he closed the door quickly behind him.
- Do you mind ? he asked her breathlessly, gesturing to the empty seat across from her.
- Not at all ! Jemma answered, her eyes widening curiously at the boy.
He smoothed down his hair quickly, and sat down, stealing glances towards the door.
- Are you all right ? Jemma asked carefully.
- What ? Yes. I’m fine.
- Are you sure ?
- Yes.
Jemma looked at the young boy curiously. For the first time, he turned to look at her, staring for a few moments, until his eyes fell on the book she was reading.
- I’ve read that, he said matter-of-factly.
- Really ? Jemma said with enthusiasm. My dad gave it to me - I didn’t think anyone would have read it. It’s not on the reading list.
- It was interesting.
- I think I’m going to like Potions, Jemma said confidently. It seems like so much fun ! Don’t you think ?
- Yes, but…
- But ?
- I wish we could take Arithmancy during first-year. It seems interesting. I like numbers.
- Oh, me too ! But not as much as Potions. It’s a bit like chemistry, you know ? And my mother teaches Chemistry.
The boy’s face lit up :
- Are you … are your parents … muggles too ? he asked, stumbling a bit on the word.
- Just my mother. Are you muggleborn ? Jemma asked with great interest.
- Yes.
The boy’s tone was neutral enough, but there was something in his eyes - something that Jemma caught immediatly.
- That’s not a bad thing, you know, she said instinctively. Even people who were born in magical families can be terrible at magic so, you shouldn’t be lost.
- Lost ?
- During the classes. You’ll do great !
- I’m not worried about that, the boy answered, as though the idea of him being bad at school was ridiculous.
- What is it then ?
Jemma was a curious girl, and she was direct, which was probably one of her faults, sometimes. She hadn’t yet learned to filter herself, but the young boy didn’t seem to mind.
- I think some people don’t like muggleborns very much, the boy finally said, frowning.
- Really ? Jemma asked, wide-eyed. But.. why ?
The boy shrugged.
- I don’t know. But earlier, I was kind of lost - the platform is very bizarre. Wonder how it works, really. But they asked me if I was a muggle, and I said my parents were, and they began… they sort of pushed me around.
Jemma smashed her book shut, making the boy jump.
- What ? she exclaimed, outraged. That’s awful ! Why would they do something like that ?
- I don’t know.
- They’re just silly, then, Jemma declared. Honestly !
At this, the boy gave a little smile - the first Jemma had seen on his face. She responded by beaming.
- What’s your name ? she asked.
- Leo. Leo Fitz.
- I’m Jemma Simmons. It’s nice to meet you ! Maybe we’ll be in the same House, she added happily.
- I hope I’m in Ravenclaw, Leo confessed.
- Me too !
Leo gave Jemma another grin, and the little girl could feel her enthusiasm grow by the second. She wasn’t always good at making friends - her curiosity, her thirst for knowledge made it hard for her to converse normally with children her age. But Leo didn’t seem to mind at all, which made her quite happy.
They started chatting, talking of many subjects - from schoolwork to magic, to travel to books, sometimes speaking about television and animals. Time flew by, and neither of them realized they were approaching their destination, when the door of the wagon opened, revealing two boys and a girl. They looked like they were in their third-year or so. Jemma was ready to smile at them, but Leo’s stance made her stop - suddenly, the boy slid on his seat, closer to the window, away from the door. Jemma frowned - they were probably the people that had bothered him earlier.
- There he is, the taller boy said. The little mudblood idiot.
Jemma gasped loudly.
- You really shouldn’t use that word, she said, outraged. Didn’t anybody tell you that ?
- And who are you ? the boy asked, turning towards her, a look of disdain on his face.
- Leave her alone, Leo said immediatly.
The three children turned to look at him, and his shoulders slumped. Still, he lifted his chin, looking defiant despite his fear.
- Don’t you give me orders, scum, the girl said.
- Leave us alone, Jemma said, standing up. We haven’t done anything to you.
- You exist.
- Oh, well, that’s a good argument ! Jemma said, looking absolutely shocked at their behavior. Just leave !
- What’s going on here ?
The three bullies turned, and the tall one lifted his chin, crossing his arms. Another silhouette appeared in the hallway : it was a dark-haired boy, who was even taller than the other. He had a surly look on his face, and he was looking at the others suspiciously.
- Nothing, the mean young girl said. We were just…
- Are you bothering the first-years ? the boy asked, frowning.
- No !
- Yes, Leo said, taking a step forward without hesitation. They are, actually.
- Snitch, one of the others said under his breath.
- Well, it’s true, Jemma said, crossing her arms as well.
- Well, quit it, the dark-haired boy said.
- What are you going to do, Ward ? Fight the three of us ? Alone ?
In Jemma’s opinion, it looked like this Ward could take them - he was tall, and looked quite strong for his age. The ghost of a smirk appeared on the boy’s face :
- Who said I was alone ? he retorted. You know who’s right in the next wagon ?
- Who ?
- Melinda.
It was as though the boy had uttered the Dark Lord’s name himself. The three kids almost disappeared right away, and Leo quietly punched the air in triumph.
- Idiots, Ward muttered.
- Thank you ! Jemma said, smiling gratefully. That was very noble of you !
The boy turned towards them : he hadn’t really looked at them until now, and Jemma hadn’t yet noticed the dark color of his eyes. He didn’t look very friendly, in her opinion, and his lack of smile wasn’t disproving her theory. Still, he had helped them, hadn’t he ? Perhaps he would turn out to be a friend as well.
- Don’t mention it, he answered quickly.
- I can’t wait to know magic, Leo muttered. So I can turn them all into ants. And keep them in a jar.
- You’re going to wait a long time, the other boy observed. It’s an advanced spell.
- I’ll study hard.
Ward rolled his eyes, clenching his jaw, and Jemma frowned.
- Anyway, he mumbled. Welcome to Hogwarts. Stay out of trouble.
- That wasn’t our fault, Leo protested, his eyes widening.
- Yeah, Jemma agreed loudly. It was all them.
- If you say so.
Jemma felt her irritation grow. She had been determined to like him, in all his heroic glory - but that boy was turning out to be unpleasant. Very unpleasant.
- We do say so, she said.
Ward looked down at her, which frustrated her even more (not that he had much of a choice, since he was very tall, and she was quite tiny). She could almost see him roll his eyes in his head.
- Anyway, he said again. See you.
And just like that, he disappeared down the hall. Jemma closed the door behind him, and turned towards Fitz, wide-eyed.
- Well, that wasn’t very friendly, she commented.
- Yes, he was like a grey cloud, hovering over us, Leo said. At least, he made our arch-enemies go away.
- Arch-enemies ? Jemma repeated, amused. Really ?
- Oh yes. Definitely.
Jemma grinned as the train reached its stop. Leo and her approached the window to get a view of the castle, when the door opened once again. Jemma barely had the time to turn, fearing the appearance of the bullies, or Ward again, but she only saw a flash of brown hair rushing towards them, and felt something bump into her by the window.
- Wow ! That is one view !
Leo’s eyes widened, and he glanced helplessly at Jemma as a young girl looked out the window, her hands on the glass, an expression of awe on her face.
- Hum, Jemma said, a little flustered. Excuse me…
- Oh, sorry ! the girl said, stepping away. It’s just, the other compartiment was full, and nobody would let me see, and I had to see, you know ? Sorry ! So, Hogwarts ? Are you excited ?
Leo’s cheeks were a little red, as though he was, like Jemma, a little troubled by the sudden interruption. But the girl was smiling brightly, so Jemma cleared her throat, and nodded.
- Yes ! You ?
- You bet ! I can’t wait to see the castle - oh, and the forest.
- You mean the Forbidden Forest ? I think it’s hum…
- Forbidden, Leo finished.
- Forbidden, huh ? You say “forbidden”, I hear “fun”. I’m Skye, by the way.
- Jemma.
- Leo.
- Nice to meet you ! You’re nicer than the other kids over there. I hope I’ll be in your house, and not theirs…. Well, come on ! Let’s move ! To Hogwarts !
Well, Skye was certainly energetic. Jemma couldn’t keep the smile from her face as she picked up her suitcase to drag it towards the door. She had a feeling that, with Leo Fitz and Skye by her side, her first year was definitely going to be interesting.