Nicole Stevens: Roses and Mistrust

Chp. 4 Sorting, First Day of School, and Loads of Other Distractions

We arrived at the station at about six o'clock. I hopped off the train with Harry, Ron and Hermione. We walked to a carriage with invisible horses. Hermione and Ron hopped up and Harry held out his hand to help me up, "Madam."

I laughed and said, "Thank you kind sir." I took his hand and steeped up. He followed behind me and we sat down. "So, I suppose a teacher will tell me what to do once I get to the school. I mean, about the sorting."

"Yeah, probably," Harry said. In fifteen minutes the carriage stopped and we got out. In front of us was a huge castle. It had many towers and turrets. The castle was magnificent. We walked in the doors and I saw a man hovering over the students, throwing books at them. Then I saw a stern-looking woman standing there telling the man to cease and desist throwing things. "That's McGonagall," Harry muttered, "Let's go talk to her." We walked over to her as the poltergeist zoomed away.

"Hello, Professor, I'm Nicole Stevens. I just moved here from America."

"Oh yes. When the ceremony begins, you'll be sorted first. Before the new students. Here come with me." She waved Harry away and took me into what I supposed must be the Dining Hall. She led me up to the front of the hall in front of a line of first years. There was a three-legged stools with a tattered hat on it. A tear in the brim opened and the hat began to sing:

"I may be frayed and old,

But in the days of gold,

I was worn by a wizard,

Whose name is still well known.

I belonged to Gryffindor,

Who needed something more,

Than just a plain old hat,

He needed me to choose

Where the new students sat.

So he put some spells on me,

And now I'm full of glee,

Because I'm more useful than you see.

And now I'm more than just a hat,

I can tell you that's a fact,

I'm important too,

Now it's time for me to sort you." 

Professor McGonagall said loudly, "This year there will be a slight alteration in the Sorting ceremony. This year a student from America has moved to England. She will be going to school at Hogwarts this year. Her name is Miss Nicole Anne Stevens. She is a fifth year and will be sorted before the first years. Miss Stevens," she gestured for me to come forward and sit down and put on the hat.

I walked to the stool and sat down with the hat on my head. I saw all the students looking at me before the hat fell over my eyes.

The hat said in my head, 'Oh, you're a difficult one. You have talent to be in Ravenclaw, loyal enough for Hufflepuff, cunning enough to be in Slytherin, and brave enough to be in Gryffindor. You're as difficult to place as Harry Potter. You have no particular aversions to being in Slytherin, besides not wanting to risk another incident with Mr. Malfoy,' I froze when the hat said this, 'but you seem particularly fond of Gryffindor. Alright then, (eenie, meenie, minie, moe) GRYFFINDOR!' The hat yelled the last word aloud.

I pulled the hat off and walked over to the Gryffindor table. I sat down in the seat beside Harry and said, "Well, that's a relief. I thought for a moment that it was going to place me in Slytherin." I shivered at the thought.

In half an hour the sorting was finished. Good thing too, I was hungry. Suddenly, as the last student sat down, the golden plates before us filled with food. I poured pumpkin juice into my goblet and started eating.

There was beef, chicken, roasted duck, pudding, jello, ice cream, mashed potatoes, corn, gravy, baked potatoes, and just about everything else I could dream of. I ate and listened to the contented conversation going on all around me. "Hi," I heard someone say, and I realized that it was addressed to me. I looked up and saw a sandy-haired boy looking at me. "You're the new fifth year?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm Nicole."

"Seamus Finnigan. Is it true that you're going out with Harry?"

I blushed furiously and said, "Oh, that. Yes, I am." He nodded and went back to eating. I ate some chicken and a bit of pudding.

"Hey, Gin, this is Nicole," I heard Ron say to a girl next to him. I raised my eyes from my plate to look at the girl. She was obviously Ron's sister. She had a shock of red Weasley hair and a few freckles, but she was pretty.

"Hi, nice to meet you."

The girl smiled and nodded, "Yeah, nice to meet you too. My names Ginny. I'm fourth year."

"Cool," I replied, "Ginny's a cool name. My name's boring."

"I'd rather be Nicole than Ginny any day."

"How come?"

"Because, people always misspell my name. And Nicole just sounds so refined."

"Well, I'd trade names with you, but it might get a bit confusing," I replied.

In an hour, after everyone was finished, the plates cleared and the headmaster stood up, "To all new students, I must tell you that the forest on the grounds is strictly forbidden, and that the Astronomy Tower will be used ONLY for classes," (mwahahahahahaha), "otherwise it is out of bounds. Thank you. Now, I bid you goodnight. Time for bed!"

I stood up along with the rest of the Gryffindors and made my way out of the hall following behind Harry. We walked up the marble staircase and down a couple of corridors. About fifteen minutes later, we were standing in front of a large portrait of a fat lady in a frilly pink dress. "The password," a tall boy said from the front, "is tempus." The portrait swung open and revealed an opening. We filed slowly through the door into the room. In here it was brightly lit by a fire roaring in the fireplace, and torches in brackets along the wall. It was furnished lavishly, with red and gold couches, pillows, and chairs. We stood in the middle of the room waiting for instruction. The same boy that had told us the password said, "The boy's dorms are up on your left, girls, the same on your right. You'll find all your belongings moved up. Prefects are allowed their own room, so some of you may find doors with your name on them." Hermione beamed proudly, the firelight glinting off her Prefects badge. I nodded and said 'bye' to Harry and Ron, as they went up the stairs on their left.

I walked up the right steps with Hermione, who said, "You'll get my bed this year, because I get my own room."

"Right," I said. I walked slowly up the spiral staircase until I saw a door with a plaque on it proclaiming it 'Fifth Year: Girl's Dormitory'. "Bye, Hermione." I walked inside with four other girls. There were five four-poster beds, each with a silk red and gold bedspread. I saw my trunk at the end of one of the beds and I walked over to it and dropped my bag down by the trunk. I pulled the lid open and took out a pair of satin sleeping pants, and a matching silk shirt. I changed into them, and fell into bed. I was asleep within minutes.

==============

I awoke at six 'o clock the next morning. I had had no dreams of pain last night, and for that I was thankful. I changed into my uniform and picked up my bag from the end of my bed. I stuck all the books that I'd need in the bag, and then put parchment, a quill, an ink well, and my wand into the bag.

I took it downstairs with me to the common room. There were a couple of people there. I scanned the room for Harry, but instead, I found Hermione sitting by the fire, reading the book I'd given her. I went over to her chair and sat down in the one next to it. "Hey, Hermione. What are you doing up so early?"

"Oh, I just felt like getting up now. What are you doing?"

"Nothing. I just woke up and decided that I probably didn't need to sleep longer. Should we go to breakfast?"

"Um, yeah. Harry'll be down in a while, but we don't have to wait. Let's go." She marked her page and put it in the book bag lying at her feet. Then, she picked up the bag and we walked out of the portrait hole. We walked slowly to the Great Hall. It took us a shorter amount of time than it had the previous night, maybe because it was just the two of us. We walked in the doors to find many people had arrived early for breakfast. Classes didn't start till eight.

We sat in the same spots as last night and served ourselves breakfast. I ate eggs, ham, and bacon, which was very delicious. After five minutes of eating and quiet conversation, Harry and Ron walked in. They sat down beside us. "Morning, Nicole. Sleep well?"

"Yeah. The beds are really comfortable here." Then, the course schedules were passed by and I ruffled through the pile for mine. I found it and read:

Nicole Stevens: Gryffindor: Fifth Year

Monday:

8:00 Transfiguration: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw 9:30 Charms: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff

11:00 Lunch 12:00 Care of Magical Creatures: Gryffindor, Slytherin 1:30 Defense Against the Dark Arts: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw

Tuesday:

8:00 History of Magic: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff 9:30 Arithmancy: Gryffindor, Slytherin

11:00 Lunch 12:00 Divination: Gryffindor 1:30 Defense Against the Arts: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw

Wednesday:

8:00 Potions: Gryffindor, Slytherin 9:30 Arithmancy: Gryffindor, Slytherin

11:00 Lunch 12:00 Charms: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw 1:30 Herbology: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff

Thursday:

8:00 Care of Magical Creatures: Gryffindor, Slytherin 9:30 History of Magic: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff 11:00 Lunch 12:00 Divination: Gryffindor 1:30 Herbology: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw

Friday:

8:00 Potions: Gryffindor, Slytherin 9:30 Transfiguration: Gryffindor, Slytherin

11:00 Lunch

I read my schedule and packed it away in my bag. Then I looked up as I heard the loud rustle of many wings. A hundred or more owls flew in though the windows in the high ceiling, which looked like the overcast sky outside. I saw them fly to their owners, and continued eating. Only when Harry nudged me, did I realize that there was a black owl sitting with a package. I looked at the bird suspiciously, before untying the package. It was a long, thin box. I looked at it; no one was paying any attention to me so I untied the black ribbon that closed the white parcel.

I slowly lifted the lid of the box, and gasped. Beneath lie a beautiful and forlorn-looking white rose, with black tipped petals. Besides that, there was one small piece of parchment. I picked it up off the rose with trembling fingers. There were two solitary black letters, written by a hand I did not know. The writing was beautiful and flowing. I read the letters, 'DM'. My hand dropped the parchment, and I shut the box quickly. I looked across the room, and saw his glittering eyes sparkling at me. I turned around, ignoring him as best I could, and I stuck the box in my bag.

I pushed my plate away from me, because I didn't feel hungry anymore. I just sat staring at my plate. I felt his gaze on me, but I didn't respond. At eleven forty-five, I arose with Harry and walked out of the Great Hall. We went up the marble staircase and turned down the corridor. Ron followed behind us, Hermione in front. We walked into a classroom and sat down in the middle row.

I brought out my Transfiguration book and my quill and ink. The rest of the students filed in and sat down. Professor McGonagall stepped in as the last student sat down. She walked quickly to the front and stood behind her desk. "Hello, class. Today you will learn to change a pillow into a dog." She explained that we would have all class period to do this. I laughed slightly. I wouldn't need half the class time. Give me the pillow and I'll have a puppy in five minutes. "Alright," she said handing out the pillows, "the spell is Transfiguri Deperatium. Off you go then."

I looked at the velvet pillow in front of me, pointing my wand lazily at it, I muttered, "Transfiguri Derperatium." My wand shot a jet of black lightening at the pillow, and suddenly, a cute little golden retriever puppy was sitting on the desk, looking at me with large amber eyes. I raised my hand. "Professor, I'm finished with the assignment." She looked up from her book, as the class stared amazedly at me. Hermione hadn't even managed it yet. Harry turned to me and gaped, but I shrugged. I'd been good at magic forever.

"Oh, yes, Miss Stevens. Very well. Five points to Gryffindor. Now will you please control your dog while the rest of the class finishes." I pet my puppy and it licked my hand affectionately. I wanted to keep it, but I doubted that McGonagall would let me.

By the end of class, only Hermione and I had managed the spell. The professor stood up and said, "Your homework is to write an essay on the aspects of this spell. Two feet. Due next week. You may go to your next class." I packed up my things, then turned sadly away from the puppy and walked out the door.

"I'm impressed, Nicole. Where'd you learn to transfigure things like that?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, well, it's just, you know, always come natural to me. I've never had a problem with it. I'm just surprised we only have to do two feet on it." We all walked up the stairs and into our next class, Charms. We sat down in the middle again, and I took out my Charms book. The professor was very short, with frizzy white hair.

"Good day, to you all. Today we shall learn the Freezing Charm. You will have a partner. I have chosen your partners." He called out the partners. Harry was with Hermione, Ron was with a girl from Hufflepuff named Hannah Abbot, and I was with a boy named Ernie McMillan. Ernie had come to sit at my table, because we had to work together. He had taken Harry's seat, as Harry had moved spots.

"Hello," he greeted me.

"Hi."

Flitwick called out over the tumult of noise from our class, "The charm is Petrificus Totalus. You will use the charm on your partner. The reverse spell is Totalus Mobilus. You may begin."

"Alright, I know how to do this. I've done it before," I told Ernie. "I'll go first. Don't worry, I won't freeze you permanently." He nodded and turned to face me. "Petrificus Totalus." He froze where he was. His arms went rigid. "Totalus Mobilus," I said.

He started to blink again. "Good job! My turn." He used the spell on me. I couldn't hear or see. I couldn't move a muscle. He took it off me and I complemented him on his use of the charm.

I saw a boy named Neville Longbottom cast the spell. Instead of the blue light that was supposed to shoot from his wand's tip, the light was green. I ran over to his table, which was the one next to mine. Seamus was laying on the floor, and he didn't look good. I put my hand under his head and felt sticky blood there. He had hit his head when he'd fallen, and Neville's curse wasn't helping. Harry had seen me rush over, and had followed me.

I pointed my wand at Seamus and muttered, "Finite Incantatem." He stopped looking slightly green, to be replaced by paleness. "Ennervate," I said softly, my wand still pointing at his chest. He stirred mildly, and I pulled him into a sitting position with his back against the wooden table-leg. I looked at the back of his head, and saw a minor wound there. "Disenfectio." The spell disinfected the cut. "Repartem Tissio." That spell healed the cut. He opened his eyes and looked at me.

"You are an angel of mercy," he whispered.

"Well, as much as I wish that were true, I'm the farthest from an angel you could get. How do you feel? Your head?"

"It twinges, sort of, but not badly. Thank you. I owe you one, Nicole."

"Good, you still have your memory. Professor!" I yelled to the teacher. Most of the students had already gathered around us, but the teacher had remained blissfully clueless. He ran over to us and looked at Seamus.

"What happened?"

"A spell went wrong," I said leaving out Neville's name, "I saw Seamus fall and I came over. He had a cut of his head, and the spell had knocked him out. I woke him with 'Ennervate'. He lost a bit of blood, but I disinfected the cut, and healed it."

"You managed a difficult disinfecting charm, AND you healed it? My, my, Miss Stevens. You are full of surprises. Fifteen points for Gryffindor."

"But, I didn't do anything. I just helped a friend."

"Yes, but you also proved your ability to heal and clean. And you proved yourself worthy of being in Gryffindor. That is worth merit."

"But, I didn't do anything. I'm sure if Seamus had been in my position he would have done the same."

"That is no matter. Mister Finnigan, let's get you to the Hospital Wing." He got Seamus to his feet and walked him out the door. He was back in five minutes. "Ah, Homework, yes. I am assigning a half a foot essay about freezing charms and their uses."

We all nodded. I packed up my bag and headed out with Harry. "Time for lunch," he said. "Good thing. Nicole, how'd you know those healing spells? They're beyond N.E.W.T.s levels. That's really advanced magic."

I blushed, "Well, my parents have a home library, and I read all these books on healing and magical medical spells. I hadn't tried them before today, but I knew I could do it. I just had to be confident of my ability, that's all."

"Did you hear when Seamus called you an angel?" Ron asked laughing.

"Yes," I blushed again, "I'm not deaf. I heard him."

"What was he talking about?"

"Oh, I told him that I wasn't an angel, and I don't know what he meant. I only know what he said."

We walked to the Great Hall and sat down in our usual spots. I started eating, not feeling very hungry. I felt someone standing behind me. I spun around and saw the headmaster standing there with a kind expression. "Hello, Miss Stevens. I would like to congratulate you on your quick-thinking regarding Mister Finnigan's injuries. Your skill is outstanding."

"Thank you, sir. But, I was just helping my friend. He would've done the same for me."

"Ah. Yes, and I am pleased to report that because of your knowledge and fast action, Mister Finnigan will be fine. He shall be released for dinner."

"Thank you, Professor." He walked away to the teachers table. "C'mon, we need to go to go to Care of Magical Creatures." I grabbed my bag and lead the way out of the hall and out onto the grounds. When we arrived at the cabin of the teacher, I saw three only too familiar heads in front of us. We walked past them and went to stand closer to the paddock.

"Is it true?" asked Draco from behind us. I turned slowly around.

"Is what true?"

"That you've become McGonagall and Flitwick's student pet."

I scowled at him, "I wouldn't know. Why don't you go away, slither back up to the castle where you came from, and ask them?"

He grinned, "Because, it's quicker just to ask the center of attention."

"Shut up, Malfoy!" Harry spat.

"Fine."

A large man walked up form around the other side of the cabin and said, "Mornin'. Nice ter' see yeh'. Today, we'll be seein' about Chimaeras. Who can tell me wha' a Chimaera is?"

Hermione and I both raised our hands. Hagrid (Harry had told me his name beforehand) chose me and I answered, "A Chimaera is a rare Greek beast with a lion head, goat body, and dragon's tail. It is illegal to trade their eggs, though the Ministry allows them to be kept, if they are needed for a specified purpose."

"Indeed, 'tis true. I have one of these beautiful creatures to show the class today. If you'll come around to this side of the paddock, you'll be able 'ter see it." We walked slowly around and saw the monster. It was exactly as I'd pictured it. Scary as heck. Hagrid went on talking about it like it was my puppy from Transfiguration. I thought otherwise. In the middle of his speech, Draco came up behind me and whispered so only I could hear, "Like my gift?"

I froze. His voice wasn't icy cold yet, but I knew it wouldn't take much to get it that way. "It... was very pretty. Thank you for your generosity, but you shouldn't do that. I'm not worth your efforts."

"I believe otherwise," he whispered. "You are very much worth the efforts. It reminded me of you. Mostly pure, but with a darkness to frighten the dead."

"Nice sentiments, Draco. You still shouldn't send me gifts. I won't return the gesture. I already happen to have a boyfriend, who I enjoy being with."

"You may, but it won't stop me. When I see something that needs acknowledgement, I do something about it. You deserve someone who is willing to fulfill your every whim. Someone who can give you whatever you want. You need someone who is desirable and is good enough for you. I happen to fit all those standards."

"Possibly, but my words remain the same. I have a boyfriend. I will not return your affections. You shouldn't send me gifts. And there is one whim of mine that you won't ever be able to satisfy or give."

"What's that?"

"Love," I said shortly. I couldn't see his face, but he went quiet. I felt him step back. I looked to see if anyone had seen us talking, but no one had. I finished the lesson without further interruptions and headed back to the castle with the Gryffindors.

We had a Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson, so we headed to that classroom. We walked in and sat down. The teacher at the desk looked up from what she was writing. Ron's mouth was hanging open, and Hermione elbowed him hard in the ribs.

"Harry, who's that?" The woman had silvery hair flowing down her back. Her robes were dark blue satin.

"It's Fleur Delacour! She was a Triwizard Champion last year! Ron's always had a bit of a crush on her. Let's sit down." He steered me to a desk at the front, next to Hermione and Ron, who was still gaping.

"Harry, did you say that her name's Fleur Delacour?"

"Yeah, so?"

"It's French. It means Flower of the Heart, or Flower of the Court, depending on which books you read. And close your mouth Ron, she's pretty, but she's not that pretty."

"That's what you think," he muttered in an awed voice. Hermione nudged him again and he went silent.

"'Ello class! I am Professor Delacour. Some of you might remember me from last year's Triwizard Tournament. I am 'oping that 'zis year will be enjoyable for us all. Now, today we will learn 'ze Stunning Spell. 'Zis spell is not immensely complex, but it does require force of mind. Now, for 'zis lesson you will 'ave partners. I shall allow you to choose who your partner is. 'Ze spell is Stupefy. 'Ze counter-spell is Enervate, which also works on people who 'ave fainted. There are pillows next to your desks, to put on the floor, to fall on. You may begin." Hermione rushed to my side and I agreed to be her partner. She was probably worried that if she got one of the boys, they'd end up killing her.

We laid out the pillows and Hermione said, "Alright, Nicole. May I go first?"

"Sure." I stood in front of the pillows and she did the spell. I fell backwards, stunned. I awoke when she'd done the counter-spell and found that I hadn't missed the pillows. "Alright, Hermione. My turn. Stupefy!" She fell back onto the pillows. I walked over to her and knelt down with my wand pointed at her, "Ennervate." That was the second time this day that I'd used the reawakening spell. Hopefully, it was the last. But, you never know what'll happen at a magic school.

She stirred and stood up. "Thanks for not killing me with it," she said. "Not that I was worried you'd would, I knew we'd both do well. I wonder what our homework is." We sat down at our desks and waited for the rest of the class to finish the assignment. No one killed anyone, though Neville did give himself a serious nose-bleed.

"Alright, class. Today there is no 'omework. Enjoy it!" I grabbed my bag and walked out with Hermione.

We met up with Harry and Ron outside the Great Hall, where they were watching something going on with interest. "What's up, Harry? Why're you standing here?" he pointed, smiling, at the scene before him. Draco was standing with a girl, who happened to be giving him the most vicious telling-off that I had ever seen in my life.

"How dare you? You ----! We were having a wonderful relationship! Why'd you break up with me? Is there someone else?" Quite a crowd had gathered, but instead of the fight being taken to somewhere private, Draco seemed to be basking in the attention.

"Actually, we weren't ever going out in the first place," he drawled. "Secondly, I only went to the Ball last year with you, because you were the most desirable Slytherin left. Not that that's saying much. Thirdly, yes, I do happen to like someone else, entirely." I stood stark-still, paling visibly. If he said what I though he was going to say, then, well, it wouldn't be good.

I grabbed Harry's arm and dragged him through the huge double-doors. Draco smiled when he saw this, but kept going on saying coolly, "Pansy, I don't care about you and I never will. Stop following me around like a lap-dog and leave me alone."

I dragged Harry, who was looking stunned, over to the Gryffindor table. Inside the Great Hall, the noise of the furious row outside was nearly stifled. It had diminished to a whispering sound, but I knew that things were still very loud out in the corridor.

"What was that for Nicole? I was enjoying that!" Harry said, like a child who has just been pulled away from a soccer game.

I thought quickly. There weren't very many people in the hall. And if he asked too many questions it wouldn't be good. "I wanted to get away." Lame excuse, I thought. Well, I'll just follow up the lame excuse with another lame thing, but good enough to cover up for the first. I put my arm around his neck and planted a light kiss on his lips. He looked startled. I kissed him again and said, "Don't worry Harry. I just didn't like being out there. It was too crowded." He nodded, looking dazed and I dropped my arm from his neck. Ron and Hermione came in just as I did and sat down. The started telling us that the fight wasn't over, but that now it was mostly Pansy shrieking at Draco.

Fifteen minutes later, the double-doors to the hall were thrown open, and Draco stalked in, looking haughty, as usual. He sat down and began talking without much enthusiasm. I realized I was staring, so I looked down at my plate. I saw Seamus walk in and sit down next to me.

"Feeling better?" I asked.

"Oh, yeah. Thank to your wonderful healing spell. Madam Pomfrey said that it didn't look like anything'd happened to me, except getting blood on me. She asked if Flitwick had healed me, and then he told her about you, and she was really impressed. Well, as far as Madam Pomfrey goes." We sat talking for an hour before the food arrived on the golden plates.

I started to eat dinner. When dinner was finished, Harry and I left. We walked up to Gryffindor Tower and I sat down in front of the fire bringing out my Transfiguration book, and a quill and parchment. I set the book on the table and started to write my essay.

"What!?" Ron said when he walked in and saw what I was working on. "That's not due until next week!"

Hermione sat down with me and said, "Really, Ron. It never hurts to get a head start. We'll do really well on our O.W.L.s, but you people who slack off aren't going to do well at all. I'm proud that Nicole wants to get ahead in her work."

"Yeah, Ron, why don't you join us? You might learn something. And may I remind you that you didn't even manage the spell? Your pillow just grew fur and sprouted legs! It didn't even have a head! Of course, it would make a lovely gift to send to Malfoy."

"Ha, ha, Nicole. Why don't you lighten up? It never hurt anyone to take a break."

"I know, Ron. But, I want to try out for Quidditch. I need to have all my work done to be able to try out." He shrugged and walked up to the boy's dorm.

I read a little of my Transfiguration book and then wrote down what I had concluded was most important about the spell. It only took me an hour to finish my report.

I read it over for grammatical errors and then stuck it in my bag. Hermione finished hers just after me and said, "Well, it's good to have that done."