All alone

I sat on a sofa by the fireplace of the Ravenclaw commonroom.

In an attempt to block out everything, I read a book.

Phrases like you'll be expelled floated around my mind.

So clouded was my mind, that I completely failed to read my book, and I forgot all about time.

The clock chimed 6 times, then 7 and then an eighth time. The common room started to empty.

Most of the first years had returned to their dormitories, and mainly people in the third year and up remained.

As I sat there, I stared into the fire, which flickered and eventually went out.

Sighing, I got up to put a log on it and light it, an older girl stopped me. She looked about 14 years old, and she had flaming orange hair that was wild, like fire.



"Don't worry about that," she said, smiling at me. Even her eyes were orange. She took one look at the glowing embers at the bottom of the fire, and the log immediately ignited. "There, that's nice and toasty now, isn't it?"

The girl seemed very nice.

"You look lonely, where are your friends? I normally see you around with them."

"Um, they're in the hospital wing. We got into a fight with someone," I mumbled, looking at the floor.

"Well, until they're ok, you can hang out with us. I'm Nike, by the way. I transferred here from a school in Freadwardbobertmc'hammerhimesmitopolis. Have you heard of it?"

I shook my head.

"I wouldn't suppose you had, it's pretty much an unknown place. Oh, I never caught your name."

"I'm Annie," I said, looking up from the ground finally. I liked this girl, who spoke chattily and kindly.

"Well Annie, I hope you get on well with my friends, the witch sisters and our brothers." she turned to her friends. "Guys, come over here!"



A group of about four girls and two boys came over.

"Hi," I said, smiling and waving at them.

"Ok guys, this is Annie. We've seen her and her friends around before." she turned back to me. "Ok, this is Peggy," she said pointing at a medium height girl with brown, messy hair, not unlike my own. Peggy smiled and waved. "This is Mel," Nike said, pointing to a girl who had a mischievous face. "This is Renee, the oldest of us," she said, pointing to a tall girl, with long hair. She looked about 14 or 15. "Then, you know me." Then Nike pointed at a boy about her height, with Black hair dashed with white streaks. "That's my twin brother, Neko. He's an idiot," she said, laughing and sticking her tongue out at Neko. "And that's Raph, Mel's brother. He's not too big an idiot." Everyone started laughing at this, except for Peggy and Raph, I noticed.
"So, Annie, why're you all on your onesies, then?" Peggy asked me.
"Oh, me and my friends got into a BIG duel with this bully girl, and my friends all got knocked out. They're going to be staying in the hospital for a week or so."
"Who was this bully girl that you fought?" Mel asked.
"Luella Ren---"

Before I'd even finished saying Luella's name, the group started laughing.
"Well Annie, congratulations for fighting with her," Nike said, laughing.
"She's a right little twit and no mistake," Renee added in. "She tried to insult Nike and Neko because of their hair colours, Peggy and myself because of our families, and Mel, because she's such a clutz."
"Well done." Raph said to me, clapping me on the back.

The clock chimed nine.
"I'm sorry, but I have to go to bed now. First Formers were meant to be in bed an hour ago. I'll see you tomorrow at lunch, will I?"
"Of course," Peggy said to me. "Just look for us down at the runes, that's our favourite hang out."
"Ok, thanks, see you all tomorrow." I said as I climbed up the stairs to my dormitory.

I changed into my pajamas, climbed into my bed and drew the curtains of the four-poster.
They were nice. I liked those guys a lot. Tash, Laurie and Sam will like them a lot too, I hope.