Part 2: Welcome to Hogwarts

Drea Vela become acclimated to her new school.

I was amazed at the splendid detail of the Hall. It was so intricate! I loved the medieval times since I was a little kid. But another thing I’d noticed that the entire school was staring at me as I entered. It was dead silent, even the teachers had stopped chattering to look at me. I was very nervous, but I put on a straight face and made my way into the Hall. I could hear the sounds of my high-heeled boots clicking on the stone floor. Astor followed after me loyally, keeping quiet, pattering along nervously. When I was in the middle of the Hall, I’d decided to finally reveal my face to my future classmates.

            Uncertain about my choice, I lifted the hood of my cloak slowly. It seemed as if everyone suddenly held their breath.

 

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            Harry watched Drea carefully as she lifted her hood. He was left breathless when he saw her face.

            The light of the candles made her pale skin glow almost eerily. Her straight, glossy hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, perfectly smooth and beautiful. Her eyes particularly were most amazing. Though he could barely see them, Harry saw that they glowed silver in the light.

            “Wow”

            “Bloody hell,” he heard Ron say. He turned to the Slytherin table. Malfoy was looking lustfully at Drea, wide smirk played upon the edges of his lips. Jealously ripped through his heart. His eyes were once again drawn to Drea’s magnificent face. Was this really the girl I had spoken to? This must be why she had her hood on over her face. Every single boy in the Hall was staring wide-eyed at her.

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            It was just as I had suspected. Every single boy in the Hall was looking at me, not to mention that the girls looked mighty pissed. This was not the attention that I wanted. But it was attention, nonetheless. I kept walking, keeping my eyes on Dumbledore and Dumbledore only. When I got there, Dumbledore welcomed me warmly.

            “Welcome to Hogwarts, Miss Vela,” he said, shaking my hand.

            “Yes, thank you.”

            I sat down in the chair which was meant for the sorting.

            “Now, Miss Vela’s family comes from quite a long line of witches and wizards which have branched off as Wiccans and into a history of Enchanters and Enchantresses. Her family has worked in the art of healing for hundreds of years and has made a living from it. She has been home schooled so she has not been surrounded by anyone but her own blood relatives. Mind you all that Miss Vela’s power may be more powerful than your own considering her bloodline. Would you care to show us a little demonstration?”

            “No problem, Professor.”

            I walked to his side as he backed away. I closed my eyes and began to summon the powers which resided deep within my soul. Adrenaline coursed through my veins as I felt my magic warm my insides. I felt electricity crackle at my fingertips and my eyes instantly flew open, glowing what I thought was pure silver. I heard whispering from the students around me. I felt myself being lifted into the air. My cloak billowed about me as the Hall doors flew open at that moment. The ceiling’s sky was covered in thick black clouds the color of smoke. Lightning struck out at me, but I absorbed it through my hand. The candles and torches blew out, darkening the Hall.

            “Lumos!” I whispered, blowing into my hand. In my hand was a fireball suspended just above my hand. I felt the lovely warmth it gave off. I blew at it, the students gasping. The light suddenly returned to the candles and torches, brightening the room. I floated down onto the ground and felt my magic subsiding, my eyes returning to their original hue.

            At first the room was dead silent, but before I knew it, it was filled with applause. I sat down on the chair and noticed everyone smiling at me in pure delight and fascination. Dumbledore returned to his podium.

            “As being an Enchantress, Miss Vela can conjure her magic through her hands, while we have to use wands, though not at most times. As I warned you, Miss Vela is very powerful in her magic.” He looked over at me as he said this. “I believe she will do very well here, excelling in all subjects.”

            At this, everyone applauded politely.

            “Now, for the sorting.”

            He was handed the hat and approached me almost cautiously, as if afraid of my powers. Dumbledore placed the hat upon my head quite quickly. I felt the hat come alive and some strange, old magic being used.

            “Hmm…yes, I see bravery, much courage indeed, but also a great kindness…you’re very pure of heart, but there’s also pure blood here in your veins…you could be destined for greatness, I see…but there’s something here I notice above all else…you seem to have wisdom beyond your years, you’re very mature, you have a great thirst for knowledge…yes, I know where just to put you…RAVENCLAW!”

            The Ravenclaws cheered, especially the boys, who did so the loudest. I went to join them at their table. I quietly sat down next to a raven-haired girl like me as everyone congratulated me and shook my hand. The girl next to me turned and gave me a friendly smile. She looked of Asian descent because of her pretty slanted eyes.

            “I’m Cho Chang,” she said, holding out her hand.

            “I’m Drea Vela.” I took her hand and shook it. She stared at my black lace gloves.

            “My, those are pretty! Can I see them?”

            “Yeah, sure.” I took them off, revealing my slim and delicate pale hands. She slipped her own hands into them and smiled.

            “They’re so soft!” Cho exclaimed, rubbing them gently across her cheek. “These must’ve been expensive! How much did they cost?”

            “About…mmm…$1,000 American dollars? Can’t be sure, but I love them.”

            “That’s a lot of money!”

            “I know.”

            Dumbledore went on once again about the rules and regulations of Hogwarts.

            “And now,” he said, lifting his hands into the air, “let the feast begin.”

            At that, lots of different foods suddenly appeared right before me. My jaw had instantly dropped. Cho giggled at the expression on my face.

            “It’s an enchanted feast,” she explained, still laughing her head off.

            “I can see that,” I said, pointing to a Ravenclaw boy whose crab had got the best of him and pinched him right on the nose. Cho laughed even harder, clutching her stomach.

            I chose some chocolate ice cream, chicken drumsticks, mashed potatoes, and some other foods that I had never heard of before. They were delicious. As I was eating, properly while everyone else was using their hands, I felt eyes burning straight into my back. I turned to have my eyes met by glittering emerald ones. Harry was staring right at me and widened my eyes and drew him into them. He looked lost as if he were in a trance. He suddenly dropped his eyes, blushing. I felt other stares as well, but didn’t feel the need to turn. I felt some else’s eyes on me, a certain person’s ice blue eyes. It’s simple to guess who it was.

            I wasn’t in the mood for dealing with Malfoy. I just simply glanced at him and he caught my eyes. I could see the smirk in his eyes. Malfoy suddenly smiled lustfully at me, wiggling his eyebrows up and down. I turned around hiding my emotions, but inside I was bubbling with rage. I kept as calm as I could, chewing my food as slowly as I could. This school year was going to be very interesting indeed.

 

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            The Head Boy of Ravenclaw led us to our common room. He stopped at a portrait of a witch with a raven on her shoulder.

            “Password?”

            “Pumpkin juice.”

            The portrait swung open to reveal a medieval-style room with a fireplace and fire burning brightly with the colors of Ravenclaw. He led us in.

            “The boys’ dormitories are to the left, girls’ to the right. You will find that your things have already been brought up.”

            He left us as I went up to the girls’ dormitories with Cho. We climbed the stairs and opened the door. There were many beds with curtains the color of silver and bed sheets that were black. I found my stuff at a bed near a window at the far side of the room. I touched the curtains gently as Cho jumped up onto the bed next to mine.

            “How come you don’t have your robes on?”

            “I had no time to put them on.”

            “Oh…were did you go to school before?”

            I sat down on the soft mattress, my hand on one of the wooden spiral columns that held up the curtains.

            “I was home schooled by my family.”

            “Really? What are they like?”

            I bent my head. “They’re dead,” I whispered.

            “What?”

            “They’re…dead,” I said a little louder. A chord was struck in my heart. Saying it out loud mad me realize how much I really missed them.

            “Oh…my. I-I’m sorry! I-I didn’t know! I’m so sorry!” she said, sitting down on my bed. She draped her arm around my shoulder.

            “It’s alright. You didn’t know. I-It’s just…something I’d rather not talk about.”

            “I understand.  But…if you don’t mind me asking, how did they die?”

            “Well…” Images of the past flooded my mind. “…they were killed by…Voldemort.”

            She widened her eyes and covered her mouth with a hand. “Oh…my…”

            Cho took in a deep breath which came out as a shuddering sigh.

            “Now…I can see why. Oh, my. You poor thing.” Cho hugged me tightly as I hugged her right back. It all brought back the painful memories of that one night when my entire life was ruined…

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            I looked out my window. The stars were just so pretty that night. That night had been my thirteenth birthday. Mom had given me her old cloak which could change colors as I desired. Dad had given me simply a kiss, which I had very much enjoyed (he probably forgot again). Great-Grandma had given me a pair of beautiful black lace gloves. Granddad had given me simply the talents he had taught me. 

            As I looked at the stars from the mansion, I wondered what it would be like to be out there in Manhattan, wandering the streets. I saw a bright star in the sky.

            “This is stupid, but I’ll do it anyway. Okay…starlight, star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might have the wish I wish tonight. I squeezed my eyes shut and wished as hard as I could. I opened them and stared at the moonless sky. Mom had told me how moonless nights were often a cause for bad luck. I wondered if it was true. Suddenly I heard a crash. I was immediately snapped out of the deep flow of my thoughts.

            “Mom? Dad? Grandma? Granddad?” I shouted as I slipped from my room and down the staircase in my black silk nightgown. I tip-toed quietly, straining to hear something, anything. I then heard a few shouts from the kitchen. I ran into the kitchen.

            “Mom? Dad?”

            I was answered with a long wail. Then something touched my shoulder and made me jump. It was only my mom.

            “Mom, what’s goin-?”

            She cut me off, darting her eyes from side to side.

            “Drea, you have to leave here now!”

            “Mom, what-?”

            “It’s not safe! I had Astor pack your things. Here’s your cloak! Now go with Astor!” she said hurriedly, pushing my out the front door.

            “What’s happening?”

            “The Death Eaters…they have come for us! Go now!”

            “Crucio!”

            “AGGGHHHH!!!!”

            “Mom!”

            “So…here’s our little Auror!” taunted a person in a funny mask with a skull on it. “Thought you could get away, now could you?! My Lord you be very pleased to see this. Pity he couldn’t be here to witness your death!”

            “NOO!!!!”

            “Oh, and this must be your daughter! How sweet! Bring her father over here!”

            My dad was dragged next to my mom.

            “Now you shall witness both of them die together! Avada Kedavra!”

            “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!”

            The Death Eaters laughed evilly as their lifeless bodies fell to the floor. I fell to them, hugging them. They were dead. Astor tugged at me.

            “Miss Vela, we have to go! They’re going to set the house on fire!”

            It was true. I saw them with torches in their hands ready to burn my home. I clutched my suitcase, looking back on my dead parents, as Astor dragged me out of the mansion. Just as we left, the entire place was suddenly engulfed entirely in flame. I cried, for everything. It was sad, for that night, when I wished upon that single star, I had wished for my family and me to be together forever. Maybe Mom was right, I thought now as I watched as my home, my house became a pile of ash right before my very eyes, maybe moonless nights are bad luck…

 

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            The next morning, I awoke earlier than I intended to, for it was still dark outside. I quietly crept into the bathroom and took a nice, long hot shower. I felt all my worries wash away with the water itself and right down the drain. As I got out, I felt happier than I had ever been in a long time. While drying off, I rearranged my hair into a different style and length with the magic of my hands. I twisted and curled my hair with my fingers until my hair was mid-back length and looked as if they were natural waves. I put on only a little mascara, but the eyeliner I did until my eyes stood out. My eyes are my best feature. I heard the other girls stirring and grabbed my bag and loaded my supplies into it.

            “Morning, Drea,” said a voice from the bed next to mine. Cho was sitting up in bed, smiling and yawning.

            “Have a good sleep?”

            “Yes. What are you doing up so early?” she asked, getting out of bed and smoothing down her pillow hair. Cho grabbed her towel and came over to me.

            “I just woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep. I’m all ready for school as you see,” I explained, motioning to my uniform which had the Ravenclaw crest on it. My tie was Ravenclaw colors, as were my other things.

            “Huh…well, I’m sure you can head out for breakfast in the Hall.”

            “Can’t. I have to get my schedule from Prof. Dumbledore first.”

            “Alright. I’ll meet you at the entrance, okay?”

            “’Kay.”

            I walked out of the girls’ dormitories and into the Common Room, which was empty because everyone was in bed. I saw light shining through the medieval-style windows. They would be getting up at the moment. I walked through the portrait and into the corridors. The thought of discussing my family’s death last night with Cho still bugged me, but I dismissed the thought. I approached the Griffin statue in which Dumbledore had given me the password to.

            “Chocolate-covered toffees,” I said to the statue. It began to spin and I hopped onto the steps as they swirled to the top. I thought it was a strange password as the statue lurched to a stop and I stepped off. I approached a wooden door and knocked politely. The door opened by itself and revealed Dumbledore sitting at his desk writing something, his half-moon glasses hanging from his nose for dear life. I looked over the room and noticed that it, too, was very old-fashioned. I guess that the rest of the school was, too.

            I gasped quietly when I noticed the most remarkable thing I had ever seen in my entire life. A Phoenix sat quietly on a perch, looking right at me with its golden eyes. My parents had taught me to show respect for such creatures as this, so I approached it slowly and spoke softly to it.

            “Greetings, um…Lord of Fire,” I said. The Phoenix cocked his head at the sound of my voice and chirped softly, acknowledging my presence. Just that one little sound was beautiful. He ruffled his magnificent golden and red feathers. The color of them really was indescribable because the Phoenix actually did look like fire itself.

            “May I pet you?” I whispered. He stretched his head out, as if giving me permission. I stroked his feathers. They felt like all the most expensive cloths come together. They were that soft.

            “I see you have met Fawkes,” said a voice from behind me. “Beautiful, isn’t he?”

            “Yes, quite.”

            “I suppose you already know that, from your training, Phoenixes are the ultimate symbols of rebirth.” He leaned into me. “In fact, you could even say that they represent life itself,” Dumbledore whispered to me. I smiled and turned to face him.

            “Your mother was very interested in magical creatures. She did very well in Care of Magical Creatures.”

            “Yeah, I know. She told me about how one day she would become a breeder. She never did though.”

            “Quite sad indeed. Well, I suppose I must give you your schedule for the year. The classes you’ve desired to take are on there.” Dumbledore handed me a piece of parchment marked with the classes I was taking for my sixth year. Just as I was leaving, Dumbledore stopped me.

            “And, Miss Vela?”

            “Yes, sir?”

            “I must warn you to be careful. Many things can go wrong when you least suspect it.”

            “Yes, sir.”

            The door closed behind me. I got onto the steps, the statue moving once more. What was he talking about? I wonder.

 

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            I approached the entrance to the Great Hall and saw Cho waiting for me in a corner.

            “Hey, Cho,” I greeted, approaching her.

            “Come on.”

            I followed her inside, admiring once again the ceiling and the medieval air of everything. And once again, the boys around me stared at me. I ignored it, sitting down at the Ravenclaw table. I grabbed some scrambled eggs, bacon, toast with jam, and some pumpkin juice.

            “So, did you get your schedule?”

            “Yep.”

            “What do you have?”

            “Let’s see.” I pulled it out and looked it over.

            “I have Potions first thing, after that Care of Magical Creatures, then Charms, and finally free period.”

            “Cool. Just be thankful that it isn’t Snape!”

            “What?”

            “Don’t you know?” she asked. My face remained blank. “Oh…well, he’s the toughest teacher. Teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts now. His name is Prof. Snape and he’s the Head of Slytherin. He loves to take points off for no reason at all and gives detention whenever he can. The only ones he favors are in his house.”

            “He doesn’t sound so bad! I’ve gone through worse!”

            “Okay, just warning you. He is really tough.”

            I sat there scarfing down my breakfast because I was so ravenous. I slowly ate though, actually remembering to chew in-between bites. I felt a pair of eyes on me from across the room.

            “Well, I’m finished,” said Cho, getting up. “I’m going to Transfiguration. I’ll meet you in Care of Magical Creatures.”

            “See ya.” I waved. I still felt the eyes on me, staring at me intently. I raised my cup to my mouth and stopped, widening my eyes and found myself glaring into emerald eyes. I drew Harry into my eyes. Once again, it seemed he found himself in a trance, unable to look away from my eyes.

 

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            Harry stared deeply into Drea’s eyes, transfixed by her beautiful eyes. He searched them, seeing silver with an ice blue tinge. They weren’t hard and cold, but warm and welcoming. Harry felt himself melting, fading away. She, too, seemed to be in a trance. He barely noticed her turn her head and bid farewell to Cho. Drea continued on with the deep trance. So beautiful…I wish she were in my arms right now. Her gaze is so haunting…I can’t seem to pull away…

            Just then, a voice called to him, breaking his connection with Drea.

            “Harry? Hello?” called Hermione’s voice. He noticed her hand waving in his face. It felt as if he were waking up from a dream.

            “Yeah?”

            “It’s about time. You were gazing into Drea’s eyes, weren’t you?”

            Harry felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment.

            “N-no…I-I…um…”

            “You might as well admit it, Harry. You like her. Ever since she came here, all the boys have been staring at her as if she were some exotic flower.”

            Harry blushed even deeper, lowering his head to stare at his food. He picked at it, his appetite suddenly gone. Harry glanced up and saw Ron staring open-eyed at Drea. Hermione punched him in the shoulder.

            “Ow! Why’d you do that?”

            Harry heard Hermione mutter something about ‘Vela’ and ‘boys.’ Harry couldn’t help but sneaking a peak at Drea. She was eating calmly, as if the trance never happened. Harry thought he saw her glance at him for a second. His heart skipped a beat and he continued to eat. What was it about Drea that made him act this way?

 

             When Harry broke his gaze with me, I watched him talk to Hermione. He blushed a deep red. Then, Hermione punched Ron, who had been staring at me, too. I giggled to myself and returned to eating my breakfast. I glanced quickly at Harry who was looking at me once more. I packed up the book I had intended to read, but was too distracted to even get a glance at it. I headed out the Hall doors to go to class just when someone caught me by my waist and dragged me into a corner where I couldn’t be seen.

            Draco Malfoy, who for once didn’t have that pug-faced Pansy Parkinson crawling all over him, was holding me captive.

            “Hello, lovely,” he breathed into my ear.

            “What do you want?”

            “I don’t want anything. I want you.”

            “Get away from me!” I yelled, struggling to break free of his embrace. The noise attracted some Gryffindors, which included Harry, Ron, and Hermione.

            “Oooh, so feisty! I’m liking you even more!” He leaned in to kiss me. It felt…needy and passionate. I almost found myself lost when I heard Harry’s voice.

            “Let her alone, Malfoy!” Harry cried, wand raised. Malfoy broke away from the kiss.

            “And what are you going to do if I don’t?” he retorted. Harry cast a flash of light from his wand, which almost hit Malfoy.

            “That was a warning. Next time it’ll be even worse. Now let her go!”

            “Oooh! I’m so scared! Saint Potter has got me cornered!”

            While he was distracted, I took the moment to get some karate moves in my head and make a plan. I took his arm that was around my waist, lifted it, and used it to flip him over. I whipped out my own wand, walked up to him, putting my shoe down hard against his throat, I spoke.

            “I swear, if you ever touch me again, it’ll be even more painful than this time,” I said, pressing my shoes down harder, making him choke. “Got it?”

            He whimpered and nodded meekly. I left him, Pansy hugging his waist.

            “Are you okay, Drakie-poo?”

            “Get off!”

            I walked past Harry, Ron, and Hermione angrily. Everyone was staring wide-eyed at me as I marched to Potions.

            “Drea! Drea, wait up!”

            I turned around. Harry was running towards me. I kindly let him catch up.

            “That was wicked! Where’d you learn how to do that?” he asked breathlessly, smiling as we continued to walk.

            “My dad taught me.”

            “Cool! What’s he like?”

            I felt my face fall. I looked down at my feet.

            “What? What’d I do?” Harry inquired, looking quite concerned. “I’m sorry if I said anything to offend you.”

            “No, it’s not you it’s just…I prefer not to talk about them.”

            “Why? What happened?”

            “Harry, let’s just say I know what it feels like to be an orphan.”

            At that, I turned and walked straight to Potions. I left Harry in the corridor calling my name.

 

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            Once I entered the dungeons, I dreadful feeling passed over me as a tingle ran down my spine. I felt horrible. This place had the worst aura I had ever experienced. It had an aura of torture. I shuddered at the thought and ran the rest of the way to the classroom. Thankfully, I got there in time to set up my cauldron. A heavy-set man lumbered into the room. I wasn’t sure that this was Prof. Snape. He certainly didn’t look sinister.

            The Slytherin smiled at him, but he continued to keep a frown on his pale face.

            “Hello! I am Prof. Slughorn. I will be replacing Prof. Snape this year. He will be teaching in Defense against the Dark Arts.” He turned to me. “You are Miss Drea Vela. Am I correct?”

            “Yes, sir.”

            “Would you care to be a volunteer for today’s lesson?”

            “Yes, sir,” I replied, getting up from my seat.

            “Please turn to page 369 in your books. We will be learning about the properties of a potion called Felix Felisis, otherwise known as the ‘luck potion.’”

            Slughorn showed me the correct ingredients to mix about. I put the right amount of each into his cauldron until it turned a glowing gold color. He came over to me and smiled.

            “Very good! You must be a natural! 5 points to Ravenclaw!”

            I smiled happily, but stopped when I noticed Malfoy staring at me with a smirk on his face. I turned back to my work.

 

            When class was over, I turned in my potion to Slughorn, which was contained in a vial. Gathering my books, I left for the door. Malfoy suddenly popped right out in front of me.

            “Malfoy, what do you want?”

            He smirked. “Is that anyway to treat me? My, you’re so beautiful. Come here.”

            I turned away. “You know you want me!”

            I ignored him and kept walking. I honestly didn’t know what he wanted from me, but it seemed to me that he wanted me. I dismissed the thought and kept walking to class, hoping that I would somehow see Harry there.

Reviews

[KisuKimmi]

1st paragraph: "Astor followed after me loyally, keeping quiet, pattering along nervously." I think it may flow better if it was changed up a bit, maybe re-word it something like this "Astor pattered along nervously behind me."

After Malfoy wiggled his eye brows at her: "I kept as calm as I could, chewing my food as slowly as I could."
I suggest that you leave out the 2nd "as I could" "I kept as calm as I could, chewing my food as slowly."