Fireplaces, Hot Chocolate, and Marshmallows

Chapter 2

The next day, Britney woke up with faint sunlight pouring through the window. 'I wonder what time it is,' she said to herself as she got ready. She frowned as she looked over at Hermione's empty bed. She had always been a morning person, darn her. 'Why couldn't she have waken me up?' As soon as she had asked herself that question, the answer came. 'Because she knows I would've killed her on the spot.'

Britney grabbed her cloak and her bag. She had agreed with Hermione to go to the library with her right after breakfast. She walked right into the Hall, and took a seat next to Hermione, who smiled at her.

"I was wondering when you were going to wake up," she said.

Britney stifled a big yawn, while looking up at the enchanted ceiling. Instead of the storm it showed last night, it was now pink and yellow with the colors of the new dawn. 'I think I'm gonna like it here,' she thought as she helped herself to some cinnamon rolls. "Do they have any coffee here?" she asked Hermione. Just then, a large mug of hot coffee appeared in front of her.

"You drink coffee?" asked Hermione as she looked over at her, and she raised her eyebrows in silent disapproval.

After a few minutes, (or 3 coffee mugs later), the two girls got up from the table. "Where're you going?" asked Ron curiously.

"We're going to the library," replied Hermione as they shuffled out the door.

Once they got there, they went over their schedules. "Let's see," said Hermione, "We have Herbology first, and then we have Transfiguration, followed by History of Magic, and then Charms. Then we have lunch. After that we have Defense Against the Dark Arts, Divination, and..." She groaned rather loudly, "Double Potions with the Slytherins. Well, looks like we have all the same classes," she finished with a slight smile. "We better get going to Herbology then."

* * * * * * *

The first part of the day went by rather uneventfully, other than the fact that in Charms, Hermione and Britney had been the only people to guide their pillows safely across the room into a box without any problems. They walked side-by-side as they made their way across the castle toward Divination.

"I'm warning you," said Hermione, "Professor Trelawney is a hoax. She doesn't know anything. Whatever she says about you, it's not true. Just make stuff up if she asks you."

"Okay," replied Britney as they made their way up to the trapdoor that lead to the little classroom. They sat down at a little table with Ron and Harry. Britney practically gagged with the strong scent of perfume that filled the stifling air. "Agh, can't breathe," she said in a hoarse voice as she clawed at her neck. Everyone around them who had heard laughed.

Just then, Professor Trelawney made her usual appearance through the shadows. "Hello dears," she said as she wrapped her shawl around her. "Ah, I see my new student has arrived. I've been expecting you."

"No she hasn't," whispered Hermione after she had walked to the other side of the room to examine Lavender's interpretation of her orb. Britney giggled.

"Hey Britney," said Harry in a high voice, probably mocking Professor Trelawney. "Will you tell me what's in store for my future judging by the planetary alignment?"

The group snickered. "Why, I see great danger in store for you," said Britney going along with the joke. "Yes, and Saturn is in the right spot for rebellion this week."

After a few more minutes of joking, the bell rang. The group grabbed their bags and herded out the door. "Great, double Potions," groaned Ron as they turned another corner. Once they got to the classroom, Ron and Harry paired up, and Britney sat by Hermione. Hopefully, she wouldn't get moved. Once the bell rang, Snape walked into the classroom.

"Hello class," he said in a rather menacingly cheerful tone. "I see we have a new student. Tell me," he said turning toward Britney, "what potion is ragweed most often used?"

Britney looked at him with a daring look in her eye. "A healing potion, called remiscus, that heals a wound immediately upon contact."

Snape looked at her with a sour look, and his lips curled. "That's right. It looks like we have another know-it-all in the class, huh?" he asked as all the Slytherins grinned and giggled. "Five points from Gryffindor," he added as he sat down at his desk.

"What?!" Britney practically screamed. She was shut-up though when Snape turned toward her with a scowl.

"For that nasty look you gave me when you answered, and five more off for challenging me," he answered.

Hermione pulled Britney down into her seat, and it took a moment for Britney to realize that she had stood up. Her face was flushed with dark pink on her cheeks. She was furious! Her first day at Hogwarts, and she had already lost her team ten points! 'What the hell is wrong with him?! What did I do to offend him so much?!' she screamed to herself as she put her head down on her desk so she could stop blushing.

"Today class, we will be making an engorgement potion. I will expect it done by the end of the period, as I will test it on one lucky individual," he said, flashing his menacing eyes at Harry.

Britney sighed. She already didn't like him. Out of boredom, she turned her head toward the other side of the classroom. She almost gasped as her eye caught a particularly handsome guy almost in the corner. He had blonde hair, (slicked back), and sharp gray eyes. He was the most handsome guy she had ever seen, other than her last boyfriend, who she'd broken up with a year or so ago. Something about him was so intriguing.

Draco turned around to see the new girl staring at him, who quickly turned around once he caught her eye. 'She's not that bad looking,' he thought as he returned to his potion. 'Agh! No Draco, she's in Gryffindor. You should be ashamed of yourself. She's probably not your type anyways.'

Britney was brought back to earth when Hermione tapped her shoulder. "You okay?" she asked. "You don't look too good. The bell's about to ring."

"Oh, thanks," muttered Britney as she gathered her things and put it in her bag or cauldron.

"You're lucky Snape didn't notice you drifted off, luckily Neville did something wrong to his potion again," Hermione said as they walked up the steps towards Gryffindor Tower to drop off their things before heading to dinner.

"Lemon custard," said Hermione as the picture of the Fat Lady swung open.

After the girls had deposited their bags in their dormitory, they headed quickly down to the Great Hall for dinner.