The Same old boring lake. Same old boring mountains. Same old boring fields. The trip to Hogwarts surely was a boring one especially when Eamon had been droning on about nothing for well over an hour. At first I thought being a prefect would be a lot of fun but how wrong I was. Or maybe it would be fun; I don’t know I hadn’t been listening for over half an hour. Billings was taking in every word as were the Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin prefects even Seddon. Hayley looked just as bored as me though at least she could stare at her own reflection for a few hours.
I gently removed Billings arm from mine smiling politely as I didn’t want to upset her, she may freak me out and yes I’m a prat but I’m not a complete knob. She shot me an angry look raising my eyebrows I leaned back against the window as Eamon came to “Section 2, Point 7”. Who had made this self-loving idiot head boy and why couldn’t Hayley get a word in. Before I knew it my eyes were shutting and I fell asleep
“Jonny” whispered a soft angelic voice a bit later “Jonny, wake up, shit are you dead”? It was Hayley. I smiled to myself. She smelt absolutely gorgeous.
“Not dead” I grumbled “Just sleepy” I said rubbing my eyes as I woke up and made a childish yawn. I opened them to see Hayley sitting opposite me with a kind smile on her face. I looked to my side and saw two of her friends. I felt really embarrassed having just acted like a complete baby infront of three extremely fit seventh years
“Awww you’re so sweet” said Hayley “I didn’t want to wake you but we’re nearly at Hogwarts”. Panicking I looked down at my attire and realised I was still wearing the blue hoodie and jeans I had hurriedly put on that morning. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and my hair was an absolute mess. Now beyond embarrassed I mumbled “thanks” at Hayley and ran down the aisles looking for Danielle who I’d given my possession too. I felt mortified I was usually really cool and confident when it came to girls but that was very embarrassing
I eventually found my friends and quickly got changed into my robes despite them all watching me get undressed. I suddenly realised how starving I was
“It’ll be the great feast soon” said Teddy as I sat down next to him following the re-uniting conversation we had.
“Yeah but we’ve got the sorting before that and it takes ages” I whined rubbing my stomach which was rumbling. Due to my late start I had forgotten to eat breakfast that morning meaning I hadn’t eaten for about 50 hours as I was ill the day before last and hadn’t eaten a thing. I looked at Danielle pleadingly
“Jonny. I don’t have anything” she said with a smile on her face. She came over and sat next to me affectionately rubbing my hair. I moaned and put my head on her shoulder
“And I’ve got to take first years to the common room” I continued. I could feel a rant coming on; probobaly down to me not talking for over four hours “Oh and guess who else has been made a prefect”
“Chloe Billings” said Danielle, Lee and Teddy all at the same time. I laughed along with them. To make matters worse it was pouring it down with rain as it did every time we arrived at Hogwarts. I sighed and picked up Brian the owl before following Danielle, Lee and Teddy from the train onto the platform
“Where the hell have you lot been” exclaimed Billy Walker the youngest member of our group “I’ve been forced to sit with fourth years”
“If you were born three days later you’d be a fourth year” said Lee as he stretched his arm hitting a first year on the head “Don’t cry” he shouted after the young girl
I was so starving it was ridiculous; Teddy seemed quite concerned as well. He fished around in his pockets but couldn’t find anything
“Don’t worry Teds I can wait” I said as Teddy began opening his bags in the middle of the rain and crowds of feral children
“I swear I had another chocolate frog in here” said Teddy
“Ted honestly I can wait” I said. I was now more freezing than hungry we had been stood still in the pouring Scottish rain for about 10 minutes
“No” said Teddy “I know what you’re like when your two hungry. You faint”
“One time” I said “And that may also have been because genius over their whacked a bludger at my head half an hour before”
“I said catch” Lee argued back. Billy and Danielle were laughing their heads off. Danielle stomped her foot and said “Right c’mon we’re going. If Jonny faints on the way Lee and Teddy carry him to school”
That’s why I love Danielle. Riding in a carriage pulled by Chestrals – I couldn’t see one; I had been fortunate enough not to see anyone die – the rain turned into hale. I hated hail storms. I then suddenly remembered Daniel was soon to be sorted and I cast my mind to that
“I just don’t think he’s much of a Gryffindor” I explained “More like a Hufflepuff or a Ravenclaw at a stretch. It wouldn’t be a disaster if he was sorted into them but if he ends up in Slytherin I’ll personally burn the sorting hat”
“Again” coughed Danielle under her breath. Looking at her I realised my baby brother was called Daniel and my best mate was called Danielle. How confusing. Finally arriving at the great hall I had to walk to the end of the table to sit with the other prefects
And guess who had saved a seat for me. Billings. Maybe I shouldn’t have been as polite when I removed her arm from mine on the train. She’s probobaly got the wrong idea now. I looked to my left and saw Nigel Green eying me with envy. He knew and I knew that he should be the one sat up here with the prefects
Professor McGonagall stood up and began making her speech; I had never personally met Albus Dumbledore, except once when I was 6 months old but I wasn’t going to remember that was I?, but even I could tell McGonagall was no Dumbledore. She was great there was no doubt but I don’t think she connected well with the students. Fucking hell, I sound like an X Factor judge. I loved that show. Idiot muggles that can’t sing being humiliated there was no greater pleasure
“Welcome back to Hogwarts” began McGonagall. I put my head on my hand and began levitating my fork up and down. I looked at Billings who was watching McGonagall with admiration and clearly had her undivided attention. I looked down the table at my fellow Gryffindor and saw Nathan and his friends throwing fruit to eachother looking as bored as I did. When the speech ended I imagined food on my plate; but then remembered the sorting
I looked for little Daniel in the crowd of little midgets – I mean first years – I couldn’t see him maybe he’d shown a bit of initiative for once and actually gotten a spot near the front of the crowd. How old was that hat? It had sorted my mum, dad, Gregg, grandparent’s probobaly their grandparents. It looked tatty but healthy – if a hat can look healthy – and the sorting began once the hat finished it’s ridiculous song about fear or fruit I don’t know I wasn’t listening. I had placed my fork on top of Billings head and she hadn’t even realised
After a few irrelevant children that meant nothing to me were sorted finally a name that I recognized and cared about was called. “Potter, James”. Everyone began mumbling as the eldest child of the legendary Harry Potter took to the stool and placed the hat on his head grinning cheekily. “GRYFFINDOR” It yelled. Well, that was a given. Little James ran towards me giving me a hug. Being Teddy’s best mate and with Teddy more or less being James’s brother I had known James for a long time already
“Nice one mate” I said to James holding out my hand for him to high five. He did so. How polite. “Danny boy better be in Gryffindor” said James. “Yeah I agree” I said putting my hands on his shoulders. I looked round at the three first years that were sorted before James. Boring looking kids. One of them was asleep; it must be a long day for 11-year olds unless your names James Potter and you’re never tired
Finally – “Swift, Daniel”. Goofy little Daniel sort of fell onto the stool and placed the hat at a disjointed angle and it had to be put on properly by McGonagall. Out of embarrassment I looked around for Nathan and Lou who looked equally as embarrassed by Daniel as I felt. Danielle, Billy, Teddy and Lee also looked rather embarrassed as well. Jeez Daniel, you hadn’t even got through the feast yet and you’ve already embarrassed me
“GRYFFINDOR” yelled the sorting hat. Daniel jumped off the stool tripping over his untied laces in the process and fell flat on his face. James and I picked him up and put him on the Gryffindor table. I loved the little git bless him I ruffled his hair out of pride. Four Swift children in the Gryffindor house. We were going to rule this house
“You’re feeling better” Daniel commented as I dug into the food that appeared from no where
“Haven’t eaten for 2 days” I answered ruffling my little brother’s hair. I’d never felt so much pride in my life. Goofy little Daniel in Gryffindor. I had been planning on joining Danielle and my other friends but I was feeling very fond of Daniel and James right now. “I couldn’t imagine not eating for 2 days” said James. He looked over my shoulder at Billings “OK, who is that she’s giving me the creeps”. “That’s only Billings” I said “She’s got a bit of a crush on me” I whispered to James. “Never” he said sarcastically. Nathan and Lou came to sit opposite us each looking as proud as I felt. The embarrassment Daniel had caused had now been forgotten
“Well done little’un” said Nathan shaking Daniels hand. Lou kissed him on the forehead. “Yeah nice one little bro” she said grinning. The wierd thing was when at home we all absolutely hated eachother (Lou and I especially) but when at Hogwarts it was a case of ‘Sibling survival’ if I had a problem that Danielle couldn’t solve I would then take it to Nathan or Lou and now I suppose I could take it to Daniel as well. When the meal ended Billings and I directed the first years to the common room
“Billings could you go at the back so we don’t get any stragglers” I said. I didn’t actually care if anyone went missing. On the first day of the first year Billy, Teddy, Lee and I separated ourselves from the group and it actually made it easier to find our way around. We knew every nook and cranny of the school; even the location of the Chamber of Secrets. I just didn’t want to stand next to Billings
I walked at the front in a conversation with James and Daniel telling them the dos and don’ts of Hogwarts. The list included do not: Turn up late for McGonagall as she will go ape shit, Do not comment of the size of Professor Fliwtick, Do not tell the houselves they are independent creatures as they take offence and do not under any circumstances engage in a conversation with Argus Filch. Very bitter that one. Also keeping Peeves on side isn’t a half bad idea
We arrived at the Fat Lady where my first problem arose; the password. “BILLING” I yelled. “WHAT” she yelled back. “WHAT’S THE PASSWORD” I bellowed back at her. She made her way through the first years and whispered it in my ear and I was fairly shore that she sniffed me as well. “Fillies Flint” I said and the Fat Lady swung open. I looked around the Gryffindor common room. It was good to be back
So what do we all make of Jonny and the gang so far? I really hope no one minds too much that Teddy is only 4 years older than James Potter. I know that is untrue but I didn't want this to be a Harry Potter fanfic with no actual Harry Potter characters in the central plot
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