two
{Kit’s POV}
|September 1st, 1995|
I absolutely refuse to believe that I am starting my Fifth year at Hogwarts. It feels like I started my First year a week ago. But I am. It starts in a few hours.
It’s quite ridiculous how fast time flies. I never thought this year would truly come, but it did.
Fifth year is the year you take your O.W.L.s for the first time, so there will be a lot more studying this year. I’m fine with that. I’ve always been an adequate test taker, so I should be fine. And my friend group is really good at supporting each other and being tutors to one another.
We have all gotten really close over the past few years. It’s mainly five of us, and occasionally people in our extended group will join us. When that happens it’s usually the Gryffindors or Slytherins.
Both of my brothesr go to Hogwarts now. Ky is a 7th year and Kole is in his 2nd year as a Gryffindor.
So this year both of my parents are there to say farewell to their children. It is only the second year our mother has bothered showing up for our departure. Dad wraps me tight in his arms and whispers in my ear. “Don’t listen to other people, Kit. They don’t know you like you do. I love you forever.”
I squeeze his back. “I know, Dad. I love you.” He lets go after another five seconds and goes to Kole. My mother approaches me. She leans in for a brief side hug.
“Try your best to not be yourself this year, okay. Put all your energy into studying so you can maybe end up with a good job, despite everything else about you.”
That’s all she says to me. I was expecting something like that, so I’m not at all surprised. But my smile did fade away as she lifted Kole up and kissed him repeatedly while showering him with praise. Ky and I exchange a glance. Neither of us have ever gotten that kind of affection in the privacy of our own home, let alone in public.
I see Dad grimace slightly and roll his eyes at his wife. “Marina, it’s time to go. Let Kole go meet with his friends.”
She groans loudly, setting him down. “Why can’t I show my baby boy some love, Leif? I won’t see him again until Christmas!”
“You can write letters to him.” He grabs her sleeve and gently guides her away. “Now it’s time to go home.”
They disappear through the wall. “You okay?” I ask, walking to my brother. He is wiping the lipstick marks off of his face.
“Yeah. She’s been more aggressively loving.” He smiles at us. “We should get on the train now, shouldn’t we?”
Ky agrees. “Yes we should. You are absolutely correct.”
We each grab our things and board the waiting Hogwarts Express. We say a quick goodbye and head off to find our friends.
Mine are in the compartment closest to the conductor and faculty rooms, just like always. The four of them are already chattering away as I slide open the door.
Thea jumps up immediately to grab my stuff. She thrusts it onto Alzona and throws her arms around me.
“Oh my God, Kit! I’m so excited to see you! You’ll never guess what happened!” she yells, pulling me down to the bench. She leans over and grabs something from her bag.
It’s a shiny prefect badge. My eyes widen slightly. “I’m so proud of you, Thea.”
“Al got one too.” Cece says. I look at the boy mentioned. His cheeks are slightly colored and he shows me the badge he already pinned to his robes.
I smile at him. “I’m very proud of you too, Zona.”
He smiles back. “Thanks, Kit.”
“Has your morning been at all stressful, Kit? Anyone say anything notable to you before leaving?” Levi asks.
I look at him. “My parents both said the usual, if that’s what you are asking.”
Thea squeezes my hand and I smile at her. She’s been my rock for the past four years. There isn’t anyone even close to replacing her. She is my favorite person in the world and I wouldn’t trade our friendship for anything.
“Anything exciting happen to anyone this summer?” I ask. Cece jumps into a story about all the countries she visited. It’s relaxing to sit and listen to my friends talk.
After around two hours the Trolley Witch stops by and delivers all the leftovers. Ever since Thea and I met her in our first year she’s been doing this for us: setting aside a bunch of sweets for our group. She and my grandfather have rekindled their friendship and she’s had a bunch of meals with us recently.
We all thank her and eat some of the treats. Eventually, however, I fall asleep against the wall. The others let me sleep until we get to the station.
Thea nudges me awake and I rub my eyes. We gather our things and exit the train. Unfortunately, the carriages can only hold 4 people.
Cece, Levi, and Al get on one that already has 1 student. Thea and I wait for the next one.
It arrives just a minute later and we get on. Much to our delight, the two others that join us are our friends Draco Malfoy and Pansy Parkinson. I smile brightly at the sight of my roommate and the boy I’ve developed a crush on.
The two are sitting across from each other, so I sit next to Draco and Thea sits by Pansy.
The Slytherin girl greets us with a smile. “Hi, Kit. Thea. How were your summers?”
“Wonderful, Pansy. How was yours? Did you do anything fun?” Thea responds, and the two jump into a conversation about their breaks.
I look at Draco. “It’s good to see you, Draco. Did you do anything fun.”
He sighs and leans back. “It was the usual trips around Europe. Nothing really new. I’m glad to be back at school.” He turns to me. “How have you been?”
“Good,” I say. “I went on a little expedition with my grandpa to gather wood for new wands; his supply was running low.”
Draco smiles. “That’s good. Was it interesting?” I nod. “Do you think you’ll be the next Ollivander’s wandmaker?”
I think for a moment before answering. “Probably. I think my older brother is planning on becoming an Auror. And Kole is still a little young to be deciding what he wants.”
“That’s fair.” Draco starts playing with his wand. “I still don’t know what I want to do after school.”
“You’ll figure it out. That’s what the career meeting things are for, right? The professors will be able to help you out.”
His wand lets out a burst of green sparks and a loud bang. It interrupts Pansy and Thea’s rapid-fire discussion.
“What the hell, Dray!” Pansy exclaims.
Draco smiles and shrugs sheepishly. “My bad.” Thea laughs.
I say, much agaist my own brain, “You should try and smile more, Draco. It really suits you.” And it may be my imagination, but I swear I can see his cheeks flush slightly in the dim darkness.
Pansy perks up. “I completely agree! You look less like a douche when you smile.”
His smile gets bigger. Our compliments are clearly making him happy, so Pansy and I continue throwing out tons of compliments to his face; Thea jumping in when she comes up with a good one. We do this for the remainder of the journey.
The carriages all stop just before the courtyard. My other friends are waiting for us. And other Slytherins are waiting for Draco and Pansy. I say a quick goodbye even though I’ll be seeing them again in less than ten minutes.
Cece nudges me in the shoulder as we slowly walk towards Hogwarts. “So? Did you make any progress?”
I roll my eyes and speed walk to join Alzona and Levi, who are slightly ahead. But Thea doesn’t let me avoid the question.
“Kit was making Draco smile and blush for the whole ride.” She explains.
“So was Pansy,” I butt in.
“Sure, you were both doing it, but he definitely blushed deeper whenever you complimented him. And besides,” Thea elaborates, “Pansy has told me that she and Draco see each other as best friends. Or even siblings.”
Alzona adds, “I didn’t think Pansy was interested in boys.”
I notice Cece hides her face behind her scarf. I gasp. “You and Pansy, Cece?”
She looks around at us and gives in. “Okay, fine! Yes, I like her. She likes me back, but neither of us has done anything outright yet. We’re just kind of letting things simmer a little. Please don’t rush anything or do anything brash.” She specifically looks at the boys and Thea as she finishes.
Thea throws her arms up in defense. “I would never do anything brash or impulsive when my friends are in the question!”
Levi laughs. “Thea, you’re the definition of making impulsive decisions when it comes to your friends.”
She pouts a little as we enter the Great Hall. “Well, I won’t this time.”
Cece hugs Thea. “I know, Thea. We’re just poking fun.” She walks to the Gryffindor table. Levi starts heading to Ravenclaw.
Al links arms with Thea and they sit with the other Hufflepuffs.
“Kit! We’re over here!” I hear. My head turns and I can see Pansy’s hand waving me over. She scoots over slightly when I get there so I can sit between her and Draco. She gives me a knowing look. I simply roll my eyes and grab food.
“Hi, Kit,” Blaise says. He’s sitting across from me.
“Hello.” I keep my response short so I can start eating. He laughs.
All further conversations get interrupted by Professor Albus Dumbledore.
“Welcome back to Hogwarts! Or, for our first years, welcome to Hogwarts! Now, we have two changes in staffing this year. We’re pleased to welcome back Professor Grubly-Plank, who will be taking Care of Magicsl Creatures while Professor Hagrid is on temporary leave.” He gestures to a man with a short gray beard. “We also wish to welcome our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Dolores Umbridge.”
Even from across the hall I can hear a little giggle come from her mouth. I exchange a glance with Blaise. She looks like a toad. A very pink toad.
Dumbledore doesn’t waste a second. “And I’m sure you’ll all join me in wishing the professor good luck. As usual, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you that-”
He gets interrupted by the pink toad. She had cleared her throat loudly. When Dumbledore had quieted, she placed her obnoxiously pink handbag on the table beside her. She rises to her feet, although because of her short stature, it didn’t change much.
She walks around the stand at the front of the room. “Thank you, Headmaster, for those kind words of welcome. And how lovely to see all your bright, happy faces smiling up at me. I’m sure we’re all going to be very good friends.” She looks around and smiles at everyone with a very fake face. “The Ministry of Magic has always considered the education of young witches and wizards to be of vital importance. Although each headmaster has brought something new to this historic school.” She turns and nods to Dumbledore, who nods back. “Progress for the sake of progress must be discouraged. Let us preserve what must be preserved. Perfect what can be perfected, and prune practices that ought to be prohibited.” She does her little giggle again.
She returns to her seat as Dumbledore begins applauding. Others join him, but it isn’t very enthusiastic. At my table, my group gives very half-hearted claps.
“Thank you for that speech, Professor Umbridge. Now, let us all enjoy this wonderful feast that has been provided for us!”
That gets more cheers than the toad. Dumbledore sits down.
My friends and I look at each other. “She seems like a bitch.” Pansy says.
“Agreed,” Draco, Blaise, and I say in unison.
“She’s so… pink.” I add.
“I hate her already.” Blaise grabs more bread.
I take a sip of water. “Officially not looking forward to Defense Against the Dark Arts this year.”
“They should just give the position to Snape. He’s qualified enough,” Draco says. “And he actually wants the job.”
“I think anyone will be better than a pink toad,” Pansy adds.
“I would also much rather have Snape teach us.” I agree. Blaise and Pansy nod in agreement as well. Draco’s eyes soften at us backing him up. He has always had a soft spot for Snape. I don’t really know why. He’s never told anyone. And Snape also seems to be much more gentle with Draco than most other students.
Blaise says, “At least Defense won’t be boring this year. That toad is bound to have interesting teaching methods.”
We continue to joke about the upcoming lessons with Umbridge as we continue eating. I always forget how nice it is to be with my friends until I’m with them like this again. The summer is always painfully dull without these humans in it. When I’m at school, I cherish every moment like this I possibly can.
Usually, we are some of the last people to make our way to the common room, but now Draco and Pansy are both prefects and have to help lead the first years to the dungeons. So this year, it’s just me and Blaise. But by this time, Vincent Crabbe, Theo Nott, and Gregory Goyle have made their way to us.
We all talk for a few minutes and start walking to the common room together. I see Draco and Pansy still trying to direct the new kids to their dorms when we get there. Draco looks like he is already completely over this whole prefect thing. And honestly, valid.
I give him a slightly sympathetic look and wave goodnight before heading to my dorm.
Pansy arrives around 20 minutes later. “Those kids are going to be a bloody nightmare.”
“I believe it.” I pat the edge of my bed and she jumps on, tackling me in a bear hug.
“I missed you.”
I smile and return her embrace. “I missed you too.”
We continue our first-day-tradition of talking until dawn so we’re sleep deprived for the first week. And it’s good. Her presence is very comforting and I’m glad to be back with her.