Chapter 1
I was sitting uncomfortably in my seat. Bill was chatting with his friend about some seventh year drama, and if I looked in the carriage on the other side he would see Charlie doing the same thing. Well actually Charlie would be so much louder yelling about something. I sign as I quickly get up not being able to deal with the noise or the context of the conversion. Bill looks over to me just now remembering that I was present “I'm going to get something from the trolly. I think I have enough for a wizzy.” I tell him as I start heading for the door. He nodded as I turned and closed the door.
“I completely forgot he was there.”
“yeah he is so quiet”
“am I the only one that is put off by the fact he looks identical to Bill but acts nothing like him.”
I tighten my grip on the book I was holding as I run off before hearing the answer but I know it. It’s what people have been telling me my whole life. You look so much like my brother but act nothing like him. I hated it but it’s not like I can change how I look. But I could change my house. I had decided I was not going to be Gryffindor.
I had thought about it a lot. What would tell everyone that I am different from my family but not too different that it’s bad. I knew from the start that I would never get away with being in Slytherin, even though it’s probably the house that would best fit my personality. Maybe if I was braver but if I was I would be a decent Gryffindor. For the opposed reason I couldn't be Hufflepuff. I shared a lot of the traits but not enough for someone to believe the hat would put me in there on a whim. That left Ravenclaw. It was perfected, Ravenclaw’s eccentric and curious, always seeking to learn more. They are logical and rational, but also think outside the box. It was the house I would ask to be in.
And if I remember correctly one of my uncles was in Ravenclaw, Fabien if I remember right. It just seems to get better and better the more I think about it. I smile to myself as I hug my book in excitement as I meet the lady with the trolley of sweets and cakes. “Would you Like something dear?” the old lady holding the trolley asked. I reach into my pocket and pull out three galleons, “what is the cheapest thing you have” I mentally curse myself for how scared I sound. “It will be four galleons for a wizzy dear” she told me sweetly but it just looked down in disappointment. “I don’t have enough. Sorry” I question if she could even hear the last part and quickly turn to leave. But just before I can really think of going anywhere I run head first into someone.
“Ouch” the girl that I had just run into cry’s out. We both look up at the same time loacking eyes “I'm sorry I should have been watching where I was going” we say in unison. She is a first year student like me. I can tell by the uniform. While go going Percy you have even gotten to Hogwarts and you are already ruining your chances of ever having friends. I then realized that I had dropped my book. I make quick use of the fact to look down to locate it, but when I look down I see two books on the floor too. I quickly picked them up, holding one of them to my chest and stretched out the other. “No it was my fault my sorry” I say hoping that she can tell that I am being genuine.
“You read Judgement of Carman.” she said. I looked up to make eye contact with her again confused, I did but how did she know that. “Yes. but how….” she smiled and pointed to the book I had in my arms stretched out to her, my book. I then looked at the book I held close to my chest. It was cleaner and newer and not my book. But it was also the Judgement of Carman but this one was titled “Judgement of Carman the jury’s verdict” . This was not my book. “You are up to the book before mine.” she asks excitedly with a smile that somehow made me forget all the fear and embarrassment. “No I'm actually up to this one but I haven’t had the chance to get my hands on the book.” I tell her pointing to her book as I hand it to her. “No way, me too. I mean I haven’t read it yet. My parents got it for the train ride but I haven’t read it yet.” she said. And I have to admit that I am a bit jealous, but also excited. Maybe we could read it together, maybe if I ask nicely and then I might have a friend….. wait how do I ask that. I start to think of a way I can ask if she would let me read it with her, but all just seem creepy. Times like this I wish I was more like Bill. My mind then starts to scream at me Gods be damned Percy this is your chance to not only get to read the next Judgement of Carman book but also and more importantly make a friend. A friend that is friends with you not Bill and Charlie's brother, you. So for God's sake just ask all ready.
“Do you want to read it with me?” the girl asked. “I mean if you want to we could talk about our favorites character scenes and what we think is going to happen.” She stopped for a breath. “Or we could just read in silence if you want” “YES…. I mean yes I would like that a lot. The first option” I quickly say. You really are a coward, you know that Percy I think. I am truly no Gryffindor but that's ok. I’ll just be a Ravenclaw. It's better for everyone, it’s better for me. “GREAT.” the girl said. Wait, what is this girl's name? “Ah hey um… what your….” “Penelope. But you can just call me Penny, and you ""Percival but you can just call me Percy.” I answer. " So who is your favorite character?" Penny asked
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I guess I really didn’t have anything to worry about. We moved to Penny carriage and started talking about books, food, things we wanted to do when we got to school. And I readied the next book in my favorite book series. But most importantly I made a real friend that wants to be friends with me, not a Weasley me. “Noooo. How could they do thissss. Whyyyyyyyy” Penny cried out at the top of her luggage's at the plot twisted, she had fallen to the floor drastically. “This is the worst thing that has happened to anyone in the history of forever.” she continued. “Ahahaha” I couldn't help but laugh at her dramatics. “Don’t laugh at me. I am grieving.” but her respites just made me laugh more. “Hahahahahaha”. “Shut it Percy you just being mean. And I swear….” she stops her rant suddenly.
I stop laughing. Penny is looking at something at the door. I quickly followed her gaze and found she was not looking at something rather someone. “Charlie? Do you need me for something?” I look up to see my old brother gaze, as he leads on the door. “No, I just wanted to make sure you were ok. You didn’t go back to me or Bill’s carriage.” he told me with a smile that told me two things that he was worried about me a moment ago, but now is proud of me. “Sorry I was going back but then I met Penny.” I stopped for a moment and gestured over to her. I can see that she starts to put the peace together of who this is and why he is here. “Penny, this is my older brother Charlie.” I quickly clue her in, but the look plus the nod she wave signaled she probably had already guested. “Ah I see. Well have fun just make sure not to forget your stuff. You know how Bill is at remembering his own things” he tells me as he turns closing the door behind him. I give a hum as a response just before he leaves.
“So that's your brother?” Penny asks. I nod, “And Bill is….” she asks. “He is my older older brother” I say. “So you have two older brothers. Do you have any more siblings or is it just them” oh she has no idea. “I have six siblings including Bill and Charlie.” She looked at me shocked. “What” “yeah five brothers one sister” I tell her. “Wow that must be….. An interesting experience” she says, trying to see my opinion. “You have no idea” I laugh.
We soon forget about the book and start talking. Penny doesn't have any siblings, both her parents work and she is a muggle born. Her favorite colour is purple and she loves reading and art.
“So what is the deal with the house? Why is everyone so worried about them I mean” she asked. Well that’s easy it’s because…..
Because…… It is the first thing people see
The first inspiration you will give and the first thing you will be judged on for the next seven years
That was their deal. That’s why everyone was worried
“Well because you are put in a house based on your personality and people might judge you based on it.” I told her. “That’s dumb.” she says. She had a look on her face that I couldn’t name. Disappointment happiness with a Defiant boredom. “Yeah it is, isn’t.” it felt freeing to say out loud. “Well come on we have two more chapters to go. Let’s see if we can finish this book before we get our personalities judged.” she jumped up grabbing the book with the biggest grin. “Ok you read this chapter I will read the next one.” I asked as she nodded as she started reading. And that’s when it really hit me, I made a friend.
I am finishing the book when I hear the sound of the whistle of the train and the feeling of it slowing down. “I better get my things, don't want to forget them” “yeah, wait for me outside though, right.” “yeah. Of causes. See you in a bit.” I smile as I leave the car and start my way back to Bill's, the one with all my stuff. As I walk up to it I hear the familiar sound of banter of some new gossip that I don’t care to find out more about.
I take a deep breath and a minute before opening the door. Everyone turns and looks to see who intrepid there debate on the likelihood of a rumor.
“I just came to get my stuff so I don’t forget it” I say pointing to my trunk. Trying my best not to look any of them in the eye. “Of course Percy. I was just about to come have a talk to you actually” Bill says as he grabs my trunk and his. He gives his friends a nod as he leads me out of the carriage car.
“Sorry I didn’t come back to the car” I say. He just looks down at me with a soft smile. “Oh Percy, I don't care about that. Charlie tells me you made a friend. Says that you and her were gushing over that book you love” he asks.
I nod as he ruffles my hair to my annoyance, “hey mhm.”
“Hahaha. Sorry sorry I couldn't help myself.” he pauses for a moment before he kneels down to my eye level and says.
“Hey Percy, I'm glad you have made a friend you can gush about books with. And I am sure you will make more, ok. But just know if anyone gives you a hard time you can come to me and Charlie, okay” he tells me.
“Okay”
“Good. now come on let get you set up with the other first years yeah, I want to met this Penny”
I nod as he leads me to the nearest exit off the train. I think Hogwarts is going to be a lot of fun. I just hope that statement doesn’t change when I am not a Gryffindor.
I really hope nothing like that changes when I am not a Gryffindor.