Chapter 5 Rewrite - V1

Stats as of last chapter:

Aubrey Hawthorne

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Level 7

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Age - 10

Race - Human

Sex - Female

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Str - 13

Agi - 15

Dex - 16

Con - 15

Int - 26

Wis - 26

Luc - 15 (18)

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Stat Points - 30

Chapter 5 - Friends?

I don’t regret Dedication as a Perk so much now, in early August, a few weeks before school starts.

Yes, it had felt bad, but it has really helped me focus through stuff! Specifically all the books I bought, taking notes on them as I read. As a direct result, I now have a branch in the Magical Theory Skill for each type of magic - Charms, Transfiguration, Enchanting, and Natural Magic.

It had confused me at first, as I already have a Magical Theory Skill but the Levels I was told I was getting weren't showing up there. It took until I finally expanded my Charms Skill to see that within each and every Skill, there are multiple Skills. That essentially means that for my Charms Skill as I see it on my Skills list, there is Charms (Theory), Charms (Practical), Charms (Misc.), Cleaning Charms, and a bunch of others, all adding into the overall understanding of Charms! Of course I went through all of my Skills as soon as I worked that out. I’m sure I’m missing a lot of the Skills going into each overall Skill Level.

As for Natural Magic, that is like Ley Lines, or things magical creatures can innately do. Naturally occurring magic, and not like Accidental Magic either. Accidental Magic comes from the core of the Witch or Wizard - their Willpower. Natural Magic comes from the world. There is a theory that Natural Magic is the world expressing its fury with people and, rarely, its happiness. This expression being things like volcanos, or places with naturally high amounts of magic. I’m not sure if I believe the theory or not, but it is very interesting!

Eventually I did specialise in the Magus tree with my free Specialisation option. I was going to leave it but after a few weeks and with all the good I was seeing from my Dedication Perk, I decided to go for it. Etiquette was immediately super useful. I knew little things I hadn’t before like how to eat some foods, what spoon is used for each meal type, how to speak to certain people in what situations. I even knew what would be a good party favour! It felt good not having to guess what would fit.

All of my base magical Skills are at or just below a Level 10 now. I’m done with just reading and I’ve been practicing small magics in my room, since our house is warded against anything that would be able to track my magic usage at home. I have to be quiet though, because Mum doesn’t think it is safe. I haven't damaged anything yet!

I also had my birthday in this time, which was lovely! I’d been given so many gifts as all my family spoiled me and saw me in what was likely the last family party before I leave for Hogwarts. My paternal grandparents, still called magic Grandmother and Grandfather by my siblings, we’re in Brazil at the time so didn’t come, but sent across nearly thirty presents in all! I had let my brother and sister help open them as I’d had so many. I’d also ended up giving some of the gifts, which were mostly books of course, to them as I already owned them. My paternal grandparents are not very attentive to the details of their grandchildren, but I appreciate the thought nonetheless.

Finally, after a month of enjoying my peaceful time at home, I know it’s time to face my fears. I’ve put this mission off long enough.

I hop from my bedroom desk chair and go downstairs to find Mum at the kitchen table with Jasmine drawing pictures together. “Mama,” I say, catching her attention. I nearly lose the words I want to say and end up all but shouting them. “I want to meet people! I want to know people before I go to Hogwarts!”

She stares at me as I stand in the doorway and arches a brow. “And where did this sudden desire to be social come from?” She asks. “Not to say I’m not happy to hear it, but it is rather unexpected. After all, you’ve never wanted or tried to make friends before. I expected someone was going to need to break your shell at Hogwarts.”

I pout. I’m not that bad! Surely. Other than my best friend being a Kneazle. “Well, I think it makes sense,” I say, trying to sound confident. “I think knowing a person or two would be good!”

She tilts her head in agreement. “Right. Well, I’ll see if the Diggory family is open to a visit. Adeline has always said her son Cedric is a people person. He’s a year above you, but I’m sure he’d be happy to be your friend. I’m afraid I don’t think I know anyone with a child your age.”

I smile and thank her. Older people are less dumb, usually, so it sounds better to me like this. Plus older friends may be able to help me with learning the curriculum.

After seeing the time, I go to prepare some lunch for everyone and Mum Floo calls her friend. With luck I’ll be able to see some students sometime this week!

.*****.

Two days later, I am ready to have my first meeting with Cedric.

I'm as excited as I am anxious. I’m going to meet someone my age, and my Mum’s friend! Mum doesn’t visit her friends often, but when she does, her and Dad go together and leave me and my siblings with a babysitter. Probably because they sit in the lounge and drink alcohol like Dad and his friends do.

But not that whiskey stuff. Mum said it’s vile. Seeing as it makes you belch fire, I can only agree.

Belching is a disgusting thing to do, after all. Horridly impolite.

My mind stops wandering when Mum taps my shoulder. “All done sweetie!” I flip my long braid to my front and smile winningly at her. She smiles back. “Ready?”

“I think so,” I answer back.

She smiles caringly. “It’ll be fine. I promise, I’ve met Cedric before and he’s lovely. I think you’ll get along.”

I take a breath and put on my convincing smile. “Okay Mama. Let’s go.”

She nods and we go to the fireplace. Tala, sensing me leaving, meows at my feet.

“No, Tala, you can’t come,” I tell her.

She sits and meows very angrily.

“I’m sorry Tala,” I say, leaning and petting her. She pushes into my hand. “Ms Diggory doesn’t want a Kneazle in her house, it’s not me okay? I would bring you if I could.”

She meows in the saddest way and my heart nearly breaks.

“Aubrey, it’s time to go,” Mum says. She’s never entirely wrapped her head around how close me and Tala are.

I sigh. “See you later Tala. Be good.”

Tala watches me sadly.

Mum continues. “Remember, you’re asking for ‘Diggory Hall, Scotland,’ and then you’re coming through.”

I repeat it back to her, to which she nods approvingly and then grabs some Floo Powder.

“Diggory Hall, Scotland!” She commands, ducking into the fire.

I count to five and follow.

I come out into a parlour looking room with high ceilings and massive bay windows looking over large grounds. The room is packed with stuff, every wall covered in multiple portraits and artworks, plush sofas in the middle of the room, dark wood floors and giant archways leading to a hall with marble floors. There are gold nicknacks, displays of expensive broomsticks and several statues in each corner. The whole thing is past tasteless and into obnoxious. Neither is it a collection of items more so than a small horde.

Not letting on my internal thoughts, I look to Mrs and Mr Diggory politely.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I say to them.

They smile. Mrs Diggory speaks for them. “And it’s lovely to see you too Aubrey! This isn’t our first meeting you know, don’t you remember?”

I pause to think and then slowly shake my head, the question causing all sorts of anxiety for me. I hadn’t known I had met these people before! I don’t recognise them at all!

“Oh, you were such a cutie, I was at your second birthday party. Cedric was there too! You two got on really well. You weren’t half bossy as a baby though, you had him doing all sorts of tasks for you!”

I have no idea what to say even with my Etiquette Perk. I try a small smile. “I’m afraid I don’t remember.”

“Oh that’s too bad,” she says. “Cedric is upstairs in his bedroom if you want to go up. It’s just out there, take the staircase up and it’s the first door on the left!”

I nod and, a bit faster than needed, walk as quickly as I can from the room and jog up the stairs. Mum’s friends are very… they’re a lot.

Concerned Cedric is going to be the same, I knock on his bedroom door.

“Come in!” A male voice, with a little cracklyness to it, calls. I do so.

His room is large and has all kinds of stuff. Immediately I’m confronted with a litter of toys, stuffed animals in a pile in one corner, shelves of books, an entire Chess table and seats, a large bed with Quidditch sheets, a chandelier in the middle of the ceiling. The whole room is a crazy amass of colour.

He notices me looking at the mountain of toys. “I’m an only child,” he says quickly.

“Yeah,” I say awkwardly.

“You can come in!” He says quickly, patting his bed next to where he’s sitting. I slowly come in and sit beside him. “I’m Cedric, by the way.”

He offers his hand and I shake it. “Aubrey. I like your room.”

He grins. “Thanks! I like your hair.”

I reach up and feel one of my braids. “Thanks, my mum did it for me this morning.”

He nods, seemingly expecting me to say something, and I get nervous. He speaks before I blurt out something stupid. “Do you have any hobbies? We can do something together if you want.”

“I play the violin,” I say slowly, “and I read a lot. I would love to start doing things with other people though.”

He grins brightly. “Hey, we can start doing that!” I start to feel better, seeing that he is trying to make me feel comfortable. “What’s your favourite book?”

How lovely, not even talking about himself! When I was a child in my past life, I hadn’t been like that.

“Well, uh, I really liked the thirteenth edition of Hogwarts, A History. The author knew a lot about secret passages and mapping. He explained in the book that you’d need an animated map to work the school since things change so often. It was really cool, some of his ideas on how it could work,” I reply. “What about you?”

He instantly lights up like a Yule-tree and I know I’ve asked the right question. “I love Quidditch! Do you have a favourite team?” I shake my head, never having gotten into it. “Shame! The Wasps are where it’s at! The colours and everything, just perfect,” he insists. “Other than that, I like Charms - the study and casting. I also like going on hikes and playing Chess!”

Chess? I know Chess. A good common point. Going on hikes sounds like fun too.

“Would you mind playing me in Chess? I only have my brother to play with at home, and my father when he isn’t at work. We can talk at the same time,” I say.

He nods, rushing over to the table. He takes one seat and offers the nearer one to me.

“How many siblings do you have?” He asks as the pieces set themselves into position. I’ve got the whites.

“I have a brother that’s two years younger and a sister that’s four years younger. And I have a Kneazle, she’s the best.”

“Aw, I’d love some siblings and a Kneazle,” he smiles. I take my first move and he does one back. “My mother told me you wanted to know some things before you go to Hogwarts.”

I nod. “I do! I want to know any tips you have for going to Hogwarts. Anything to avoid? Or people?” I ask, making my move.

He smiles and nods, making an immediate counter. “Well, Potions is rough. You need to study every lesson the night before, especially if you get Professor Snape. I also recommend getting a book called Brewing - Broken Down if you don’t have it, along with an encyclopedia of ingredients and how they react, how to prep them and so on. Those books will save your life, let me tell you. I only got mine on Yule-break last year, but most Slytherins have them by the end of week one. It’s probably some in house secret. Very important.”

I make my move while he’s explaining and we go back and forth a bit. “Good thing I’m dead set on getting really good at Potions, so more books on the subject sounds great,” I say. “Anything else?”

He nods as he considers the board, seeing the play I’m making. “Well, Defence Against the Dark Arts is cursed and every year is either hit or miss. Get a couple extra books for beginners so you can get a head start. The book list we got this year looks alright though, so maybe it’ll be okay. I’ll give you my notes from the First Year too. Or a copy, rather, though my Defence professor last year was shit.” I gape at him. “Oh, sorry, don’t you like swearing?”

I snort. Being a child, I’d been sheltered from profanities for so many years now, hearing it had genuinely shocked me! “It’s fine, I just wasn’t expecting it. Go ahead,” I say, waving off the concern not unlike my Grandpa. I set up a defence for my queen. “Well, if Charms and Transfiguration are manageable, I figure I’ll be okay. I’ve already started a bit on the theory of arithmancy and runes, but nothing too heavy. Just the basics. I would like to have a comfortable grip on the subjects before I go into them. I’ve already read all the books from the list I was given too.”

He gapes. “Arithmancy and runes aren’t even First Year subjects!”

“I know, but I was curious!”

He rolls his eyes and takes my queen piece. “You’re totally a Ravenclaw.”

I smirk. “Almost certainly. What House are you in?”

“Hufflepuff of course!” He grins, looking at my move with glee. “It’s the best House!”

“Doesn’t everyone think their House is the best?”

He rolls his eyes. “Well, I just took your king, so Hufflepuff can’t be that bad.”

He starts laughing at me and I can’t help but join in! As he tells me about the four Houses, I Observe him.

Cedric Diggory

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Level 8

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Age - 12
Race - Human

Sex - Male

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Str - 15

Agi - 15

Dex - 23

Con - 20

Int - 28
Wis - 30
Luc - 12

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Cedric Diggory ranks in the top five for his year of one hundred and thirty-eight students. This is without putting true effort into his work. He is naturally able to fit in where he likes and is well known for getting good reads on people. He’s one of the few people who can boast of never missing anything due to illness, and he’s really good at Quidditch, specifically as a Seeker or a Chaser

His current mood is happy leaning into elation. He likes you and hopes you can be friends at Hogwarts

Truly, Observation being Level 30 is a blessing. So much information!

“Hey,” I say as the pieces get ready to start playing. “Can you show me how to fly? I’ve never done it.”

He almost knocks the table over in his excitement.

It’s some hours later as we’re saying goodbye that I find myself grateful for this idea. I’d likely not get along with all the kids my age, but still. Having at least one friend is nice. I’m hopeful to find another before school starts.

While with Cedric, I did discover flying brooms is quite hard. I get a Level in it and I can do it, but it isn’t exactly comfortable or easy. I guess it’s a bit like bikes. If you do it enough it’ll stop bothering you.

At least I have some idea of how to set myself to fly on a broom before school. Cedric had let slip there’s a flying class and a lot of people get awfully puffy about who flies best. With this little tutorial on flight, I’ll at least not be the worst. Hopefully.

.*****.

A couple days after meeting with Cedric, I am set to meet another person, this time in the McLaggan family. Their sons’ name is Cormac, and he, like Cedric, likes Quidditch - at least according to Mum. I know enough about The Wasps from talking with Cedric and doing some basic research to hold my own should another conversation on it crop up, and I think it almost certainly will.

I had no clue it’s so culturally prevalent. I’d figured duelling or maybe Chess would be the more popular sport, based on my last life. But no, it was flying around playing with what seemed like fancy air footballs. That was the most favoured sport.

Ah well. I’d see if Cormac has any interests we share that don't involve brooms. If I’m going to get friends that’ll stick around at Hogwarts, making sure we’re compatible in areas we are both interested in is important!

“And remember!” Mum is giving me a pep talk as she does my hair. “Just have fun!”

I nod and she flips the fresh fishbone-style braid carefully to my front, how I like it. It’s down to my waist when it’s all plaited like this. She often just spells my hair into styles but this summer she’s been doing it herself. I think she’s going to miss me a lot while I’m at school.

“Floo?” I ask.

Mum nods. “Floo, yes. We’re going to ‘House McLaggen, Cornwall,’ and Tala can’t come,” she says, ushering me to the fireplace as she grabs her visiting gift. This indicates she hasn’t been to visit in a while.

“Of course!” I say.

She grabs some Floo Powder and goes through. As standard, I wait five seconds and then follow.

“Ah, welcome, young Aubrey!” The one who must be Mr McLaggan booms as I step out. Beside him is a very young woman who can’t be even twenty years old with a giant ring on her finger. I very much doubt that can be Cormac’s mother. He pushes his son forward with one hand. “I’m happy to introduce you to our son, Cormac! We hope you get along splendidly.”

He gestures for us to leave, apparently not expecting me to answer him. Cormac turns to the door immediately, walking with a stiff back and straight shoulders, likely trying to make his father proud of his manners. I smile and follow him out of the parlour to the entry hall, then up the stairs, past a couple doors all in silence. I take the opportunity to read his profile.

Cormac McLaggan

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Level 6

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Age - 12

Race - Human

Sex - Male

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Str - 17

Agi - 18

Dex - 14

Con - 14

Int - 12

Wis - 10

Luc - 8

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Cormac McLaggan is an only child, and as such got everything he wanted in childhood. Having such a free life before Hogwarts made him expectant that he gets what he wants and when he doesn’t, he gets quite upset. His parents have recently divorced and he doesn’t like his new step-mother. He does not realise his full potential in Transfiguration yet and wonders often why his other classes are so much harder. He doesn’t know how to ask for help which is causing his situation to deteriorate

He thinks he’s going to win this game of Pool and hopes you can get along. He is currently neutral towards you

Interesting. He must be the type of child that has so many expectations on him, while also being utterly spoiled, that he either must have no social skills or he’s an arrogant idiot. From the look of his fathers’ wealth, there is a good chance either his father or both parents have also not given him much actual attention growing up, For my sake, I hope he’s just lacking social skills.

He leads us into what looks like a games room and stops.

“Do you play anything here?” He asks boredly, waving at the room.

He certainly has a way of speaking. I don’t recognise most of the games, but I do know a few. “Well I know how to play Pool and Chess?” I say, looking at the Pool table uncertainly. I can play okay, but I don’t have any real Skill.

He turns to me. “Was that a question?” He snorts as if he’s joking though I can’t tell if he is. “Well, let’s see how good you shoot.”

He picks up a cue for himself and goes to the table, where it is already set up for a game. All of the cues look too long for me, but I get one anyway.

“Do you have any hobbies?” I ask him as he plays the opening shot.

“I like flying,” he says, “and Gobstones. I’m really good at Pool too.”

“Oh, cool,” I nod. “I quite like Pool and Gobstones too. What House are you in at Hogwarts?”

“Gryffindor, of course,” he snorts. He steps back so I can take a shot. “How old are you? You’re so small.”

I take my shot on my very tiptoes. My play is good but not as good as it would have been if I’d had a stool to stand on. “I’m eleven. I’m starting Hogwarts this year.”

“Cool. Gryffindor’s the best, you should be in there. All the other Houses suck.”

“They do?” I say neutrally, trying to decipher his personality still.

“Yeah. Slytherins are bullies and all Death Eaters, Hufflepuffs are weak and annoying, and the Ravenclaws are all bookworms -- generally annoying as hell. Us Gryffindors are courageous and we’re all really good at Quidditch! We have Charlie Weasley on our team.”

“I’ll probably be a Ravenclaw,” I say, potting a ball. I go for the next one and get that too.

He gauffs. “Don’t be. You should be a Gryffindor. You won’t have any friends in Ravenclaw, I’m willing to bet it.”

I set my ball up and relinquish the table to Cormac. He’s absolutely the type of person with no social skills, and one that can’t read a room also. “I don’t think I’ll have an issue. I’m friends with Cedric Diggory already, and he’s a Hufflepuff. He’s great.”

“Cedrics alright,” he concedes. “But most of them are rubbish.”

I nod placatingly as he fails to pot his ball. I line mine back up. “I’m sure that can’t be true. If I am in Ravenclaw, does that mean we can’t be friends?”

He shrugs. “Depends. Do you like Quidditch?”

“I support The Wasps.” Because they were the team I’d been told about first.

I am, after all, a child.

He groans, and then groans harder when I pot my last ball, winning the game.

In the end, we split on decent terms. He isn’t as open as Cedric, much more curt and abrupt, but at his core he seems like a good person. He’ll need a lot of guidance and careful explanations to get through to him on a personal level, and I think I can help him.

It’d be a pleasure to help him grow to be a great person. I am hopeful.

Later the same week, I met Alicia Sinnet and Adrian Pucey. Both of those meetings go well. They were nice people and I enjoyed talking with them during our time together. I got more confident after meeting Cormac, my anxiety all but gone. I didn’t need it anyway for meeting Alicia and Adrian, both of them were lovely people. Adrian, especially, I got on with over a dinner party hosted by his parents. His family I already had heard of as the lawyers of the Wizarding World, and he is well read at only twelve years old. I had befriended Alicia as she was helping me get more comfortable on a broom and eating cake in the sun.

Quidditch maniacs, all of them. I earn a Skill in Quidditch and gain a couple of Levels in it just from these visits. Mum had managed to get in contact with the Davies, but their son, two years my senior, was not interested in meeting. He evidently didn’t think I would be worth his time. I was slightly put out but understood that he wasn’t interested in being friends with a girl so much younger than him. In teenage time, two years is a lot!

Oh well. I had met four people I get along with if I include Cormac and not Miles Bletchley, whom I had also met. He was a stuck up blood purist, made in the image of his parents.

When I had let Mum know as much, she’d nodded sadly. “Well, at least we’ve found a few people you can hang out with, right?” She had said. I’d just nodded and left it at that, not wanting to begin an argument asking why she was friends with their family, as a Muggleborn, or why she had taken me to see them.

With my four friends under my belt, I use the new owl to send a message to them all. I invite them all to my house so we can meet together. My hope is that we can set up a study group! It would be cool, or at least, I think it is!

I had only used the owl to upset my sister. She has settled on the name Girly for it, and I have accepted the owl has a dumb name. She was presented with it, told it was a girl, and announced her name would be Girly on the first day but me and Adam had utterly refused. We tried to stop her but she just got angry at us for not liking the name and we had been forced by our parents to stop arguing about it.

The owl doesn’t seem to care if I referred to it as it, the owl or anything else though. It is an owl. What does it care for names? Thank goodness really, because I did not want to go to the Owlery at Hogwarts and shout at all the owls in front of other people for Girly.

I didn’t necessarily use Girly to be malicious, but Jasmine and the owl had become very close. Biscuit got upset I didn’t use him to send a letter and Jasmine had gotten upset that her new friend was sent away for a few days delivering letters.

It hadn’t changed our parents' opinion that the new owl was going to Hogwarts and Tala was staying home though. I really had thought they’d change their mind when Jasmine started kicking up a fuss about it.

I had tried.