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Both Sides	By : ccino49 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 10429 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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I do not own any of the characters or places from the Harry Potter books or films. They all belong to J.K. Rowling. All that is mine is Lou and the plot. I am not making any money from the writing of this story.

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CH 33 The Hogwarts Express
When Mrs Weasley told them all they should be in bed, Lou encountered another problem. She�d only just managed to get down the steps into the kitchen with Ron�s help, there was no way she could climb them. The main staircase would be impossible.
The others stopped and looked at her when she didn�t follow them.

�Lou, what�s wrong?� Ginny asked her.
�I can�t �erm �I�ll be up later, you lot go on.�
Hermione narrowed her eyes and walked into the drawing room to tell Remus about Lou�s plight.
A minute later, he was carrying her up the stairs to her rooms.
�I�m sorry Mr Lupin, I know you don�t want to be doing this.� She told him as the neared the third landing,
�Why on earth would you think that?� He wanted to know.
�That last lesson we had, when I made the Patronus. I know you were mad at me for it and don�t like me any more.�
�Lou I was not mad at you, I was stunned, surprised, shocked even, but I was not angry. As for liking you, I never stopped, I had no reason to. You have to stop assuming you are always in the wrong Louhi, you�re not. I�m told you are one of us now.�

�One of you what?�

�You joined the order.� He chuckled.
�Oh, yeah. Did they tell you why? What I did?�
�The Headmaster told me yes. I doubt you will make the same mistake again.�
�Too right I wont. I�ll keep my sneck out of things from now on.�
�Sneck? I take it that is your nose?�
�Yeah. So are we okay then? I mean like �I dunno. We�re �acquaintances.� She finally said, her face brightening up as he put her down.
He started to laugh. �If you wish, but I would prefer to be a friend if it�s all the same to you.�
�Oh yes please, I�d love to have another friend. You make it six. Six friends. Thanks Mr Lupin, goodnight.�
He smiled and gave her a small bow before leaving.
The following morning was chaotic. Trunks were piled in the hall, though Lou kept everything of hers shrunk, and in her pocket. She still had Validus to carry however.
�Lou, why don�t you let him fly with Hedwig to Hogwarts. Harry left her here and she prefers to fly rather than go on the train. At least you�ll be able to shrink the cage.�
Lou looked at Validus and he hooted softly as he sent her an image of flying beside the beautiful snowy owl in the cage beside him. �If I didn�t know better Validus, I�d say your in love.�

Validus hooted indignantly, but at a sharp hoot from Hedwig, he quieted and seemed to nod his head.
�Okay, Hogwarts then, don�t get lost, I want to see you when I get there.�
Ginny opened the front door and Ron and Lou released the owls.

�I wouldn�t be surprised if we end up with baby Hedwig�s and Validus� in a few weeks.� Ginny said laughing.
Remus appeared and picked Lou up. He carried her down the steps and to the green. �Molly is going to apparate Ginny and I am apparating you. Hermione and Ron both have their licences now and will meet us at the station. Are you ready?�

�Yeah. I�m getting used to it.�
�They arrived with a crack and Lou saw they were in a small alley. Several cracks of apparition later and everyone was there.

Remus gave Lou his arm and supported her as she hobbled into the station.
�Wow, this place is big, look at all the people. Where�s the trains?�
�We have to go to the platform first Lou, just take your time, we�re early.�
�Mr Lupin, can I ask you something personal?�

�You may ask, I cannot guarantee an answer.�
�Okay. Have you managed to find a job yet?�
�As it happens, no. Why do you ask?�
�Would you be insulted if I asked you to work for me?�

�Work for you, how?�

�I want to buy a house, a muggle one, in a muggle place. I want to know I�ve got somewhere to go if ever �I dunno, if something happens and all this magic malarkey blows up in my face.�
�Lou, magic is not malarkey, and do not let me hear you say that again. As far as your request goes, no, I will not work for you. I will find you a house if you really want one, but I will not accept money from you for doing so. I will do it as a friend, not as your employee.�
�I�ve insulted you haven�t I? I didn�t mean to, I�m sorry.�

�You have insulted me yes, but I do not believe it was intentional. If you write and tell me what you want, I will do my best to secure you a house. How does that sound?�

�Thanks Mr Lupin but, insulted or not, you still have to take �what do you call it when �I know, expenses. You have to have expenses paid. It�s only fair, if I had to get an agent or something, they�d charge me anyway. Is it a deal?�
Remus studied her for a moment. He did not want charity, but Lou looked determined and if he didn�t find her a house, she would pay through the nose for someone else to do so. �Very well.� He said, you win. Expenses, but only expenses. Think about what you would like and let me know.�
Suddenly they were surrounded by hoards of students with their families, pushing trolleys bearing trunks, cages and baskets containing an array of owls and cats, rats and toads.
Remus had to grab Lou and pull her to one side as a large muggle man shoved her roughly out of they way, sending her sprawling into a wall.
�Lou.� Harry called when he realised who his uncle Vernon has jostled. �Are you okay?�
�Harry, yeah thanks. Who was that pillock?�
�Lou.� Remus told her.
�Sorry.�
�That�s uncle Vernon. He�s not happy about bringing me here, but he�s making sure I go this time because it�s the last time he�ll ever have to see me again. Can�t say I�m sorry, I�ll be glad not to have to see him again. How you doing Professor?�
Lou looked round, expecting to see Severus.
�He was speaking to me Lou. I used to teach Defence in Harry�s third year, he never did get out of the habit of calling me Professor.�
�I wish you was still there, why did you leave.�
�Long story.� He told her, making his way towards Vernon Dursley.
Lou and Harry saw Remus confront the oversized man, say something and walk away.
Vernon looked as though he was about to have a seizure. His mouth opened and closed several times as he turned several shades of red, finally ending with a deep crimson before quickly waddling off in the direction of the exit without a backwards glance.
�Good riddance.� Harry muttered under his breath.
They stood watching as the worst of the crowd walked through the barrier that led to platform 9¾
.

�How do they do that?� Lou asked.
�Magic.� Harry told her with a grin. �It�s brilliant isn�t it?�
�Sometimes.� She told him. Her leg was killing her thanks to Harry�s uncle and she needed one of the pain potions from her satchel. The trouble was it was shrunk and in her pocket and she wasn�t allowed to do magic when muggles were about. She�d had this drilled into her by Severus.

�Mr Lupin, my leg really hurts now and my potions, well they�re shrunk.�
�Here you are.� He told her, pulling a phial from his pocket. I snuck some from the pantry when Molly wasn�t looking just in case.�
�Ooo thanks. You�re a life saver.� She told him before emptying the contents down her throat. The potion worked quickly and she was able to hobble again when it was their turn to go through. �Is this safe, this walking through walls thing?�
�If it wasn�t, we wouldn�t be waiting to go through.� Harry told her with a chuckle. �And what�s with the leg? It wasn�t that bad when you left number 12.�
�She�ll tell you later, it�s our turn, come on.� Remus held on to her as they casually stepped into the wall.
Lou had the strangest sensation for a second or two and then they were on the platform.
Students were milling about, shouting to each other and gathering in groups or saying goodbye to families. When Lou saw the Hogwarts express, she was astonished. �A steam train, I�ve seen them in books, but I�ve never seen a real one, only the normal ones at crossings.�
Hermione, Ginny and Ron called them from further down the train. �Come on you two, we�ve got an empty compartment here.�
Harry dashed down with his trolley to start unloading as Remus walked Lou slowly down the platform. She could see she was getting quite a few stares and knew it was because she was limping badly.
�Just ignore them.� Remus told her. �Once they get used to seeing you around the school, they�ll get bored and not even notice.
But Lou also heard a few nasty comments and she found those harder to ignore.
However, Remus kept her moving until they reached the carriage where the Griffindor four were waiting for her. He lifted her onto the train and he and Mrs Weasley stood waiting while they got themselves settled and seated.
Lou was a bundle of nerves and was doing her best not to let it show.
When Mrs Weasley and Remus knocked on the window and shouted bye, Lou waved and smiled with the others while wishing she could get off the train and go back to number 12.

The train whistle blew and she felt the movement as the express lurched a little and slowly set off, soon picking up speed and taking them on their journey to Hogwarts.
Lou watched as students of all ages, sizes and shapes made their way passed the compartment, chatting and laughing as they looked for friends and housemates.
�I have to go to the prefects carriage for a while.� Hermione told them. �I should be back in an hour.�
�I didn�t know Hermione was a prefect.� Lou said.
�She�s not anymore, she�s head girl this year.� Ron told her. �She earned it mind you, brightest witch in the school our Hermione.�
They talked about some of their past adventures at Hogwarts, Lou being taken aback when she discovered the Mr Lupin was a werewolf. Crikey, I didn�t know, he seems so �normal.�

�That�s because he is normal you daft thing. It�s only during the full moon when he changes, and with the wolfsbane potion, he�s harmless. Lupin wouldn�t hurt a fly.�
�Well I still like him anyway, he hasn�t done anything wrong to me. He even said we�re friends.�
�Good, that�s how we feel about him too.�
Hermione returned in a not very happy mood. �Guess who�s head boy this year?� She asked.
�Nooo.� Harry moaned. �It can�t be.�

�It can, and it is. Draco Malfoy.�
Lou�s head shot up. �M �Malfoy?�
�Yeah.� Ron said. �It was his dad you put in hospital, then Askaban.�
�Oh shit, please don�t tell him it was me. If he finds out and tells, I�ll be in a hell of a lot of bother.�
�We�re not gonna tell him, we can�t stand the little ferret. You make sure you stay clear of him Lou, he�s trouble with a capital T.�
Lou was told some of the things Malfoy did over the last six years, though she laughed fit to burst when they told her how Moody changed him into a ferret.
The carriage door opened and a tall blonde young man stood there. Lou thought he was incredibly handsome. Two large looking thugs appeared behind him as he stood smirking at them all.
�What do you want ferret boy?� Harry asked him.
�Not much scar face. Just checking up, head boy and all that. It�s my duty to make sure you�re all behaving yourselves.�
�Well they have me for that Malfoy, so take your sorry little backside elsewhere.� Hermione told him.
�I�ll leave when I�m ready mudblood.� He turned to look at Lou and narrowed his eyes at her. �You�re new. Who are you?� He demanded.

�Really observant Malfoy, and it�s none of your business.� Ginny said.
�It�s my business to know all the new starters, ask your bushy haired friend there.�

�What�s your name?�
�Lou.� She told him quietly.
�Lou!� He exclaimed, pulling a face. �That�s a boys name.�
�No it�s not, it�s short for Louhi.�
�Never heard it before, are you foreign?�
�No. It�s a Finish name.�
Malfoy�s eyes narrowed. �What�s your last name?�
�Why? It�s got nothing to do with you, go away.� Lou told him, venom in her voice now. The boy might be handsome, but he was an arrogant little shit and she didn�t like him.
Malfoy stepped further into the carriage, followed by Crabbe and Goyle.

�It�s got everything to do with me, and if you ever speak to me like that again, I�ll make you sorry you were ever born.�
�Leave her alone ferret boy.� Harry told him, standing up.

Ron, Hermione and Ginny stood with him, all with their wands aiming at Draco.
�It�s alright Harry, honest. Just leave it, please.� Lou told him. She didn�t want to attract any more attention from Draco, it was too risky.
The four lowered their wands and Draco smirked.
�Wise girl.� Draco told Lou. �You learn fast. What did you say your last name is?�

�I didn�t, just go away and leave us alone.�
�Oh I�m going, but not because you told me to. I have better things to do with my time than stand here talking to a bunch of misfits. But I�ll be keeping an eye on you, Louhi.�

He turned and left the carriage, his thugs following, but not before one of them gave Lou a leering look.
She shivered at that look, it freaked her out and made her feel dirty.
�You should have let us hex him Lou.� Ron said.
�No, you�d all have got into trouble and it�s not worth it. Besides, I�d rather he forgot I even exist, considering it was his dad I hurt. That other one, he looked at me all creepy and horrible.�

�Goyle, him and Crabbe follow Malfoy around like lapdogs. They�re his bodyguards, Malfoy can�t fight his own battles so he gets them to do all his dirty work.� Harry told her.

�Goyle? He�s not �you know?�

�I�m afraid so, his dad�s one of the one�s who went to Askaban that night too. My dad told me.� Said Ron.
�He�s the one that did this.� She said, pointing at her leg. �Ooo, I hope I don�t get put in the same house as them.�
Ginny spoke next. �You wont, they�re all Slytherins and you�re far from being the type to be put in Slytherin. Anyway, I thought you was gonna try for Ravenclaw?�

�I am, but if I can�t go there, I�m gonna ask for Griffindor.�
Since they were all in muggle clothes, Hermione told them it was time to get changed into their Hogwarts robes.

The boys were sent out and Lou was horrified when she realised she�d have to undress in front of Ginny and Hermione.
�Erm, is there a toilet on this train?� Lou asked, holding her bundle of clothing tightly.
�Just down the corridor to your left. Aren�t you getting changed first?�
�I�m bursting, I may as well take my things with me and get changed while I�m in there.� �Why didn�t Severus tell me I�d have to do this?� She thought, leaning heavily on her stick.
�Well let one of the boys walk you down, if Malfoy�s lurking about, you don�t want to be on your own.� Hermione warned her.
Harry walked her down to the loo and waited outside while Lou struggled to change her clothes in the tiny cubicle. It was made all the more awkward with the constant movement of the train. When she realised she would have to wear a skirt she was even more distressed. The hem just reached her knees, but the bandage on her leg went to just below that and was clearly visible. �Shit, shit and double damned shit.� She muttered.

She stepped from the toilet, clutching her muggle clothes at the same time as trying to hold her robes closed so no one would see her legs, but doing that while using the cane at the same time, plus trying to keep her balance was impossible. She sighed and headed back to the carriage with Harry.
�You look like one of us now.� he told her, grinning.
�What do you mean?�

�A student.�

�I feel daft, I didn�t realise I�d have to wear a skirt. I don�t do skirts.�
He grinned and looked her over. �Lou, you look okay, don�t worry about it. If it�s the bandage your worried about, then don�t. It�s nothing, really.�
�I still feel daft.� She said, but Harry was grinning at her and she couldn�t help grinning back. �Bugger it.� She told him. �I�ll just have to get used to it. Why can�t girls have trousers?�
�Because the boys would look even dafter in skirts.� He said, ducking as she took a swipe at him.
They were both laughing by the time they reached the carriage.
�Whoa, you�ve actually got legs then?� Ron asked with a cheeky grin.
�Shut up you, or I�ll hit you with my cane.� She threatened jokingly.
Hermione and Ginny exited the compartment and the boys went in to change.
Your uniforms different to mine.� Lou said, puzzled.
�Once you�ve been sorted, your uniform will change magically to your new house colours. Ours were like yours when we first arrived.� Hermione said.
It didn�t seem long to Lou before the train was coming to a halt and everyone was collecting their trunks and dragging them into the aisles.

Lou were still shrunk and in her pocket, even now wasn�t able to let anyone take control of her possessions.
�Lou where�s your things?� Ginny asked. �I told you they�re collected when we arrive.�
�In my pocket, I�d rather bring them myself.�
Harry and Ron dragged the four remaining trunks from the train and carried Lou onto the platform between them.
�Thanks you two.� She told them, her face flushed with embarrassment.
The boys hurried off to secure a carriage while Hermione and Ginny walked slowly to allow Lou to keep up with them.
�You too go on if you want, you don�t have to wait for me you know.�
�We want to silly, anyway, you wont be coming with us, you�ll be going with Hagrid.� Hermione told her, pointing to the most enormous man she�d ever seen in her life.
�Oh bugger.�
�Hermione, Ginny. Good to see ye both. Did ye �ave a good summer?�
�Yes we did thank you Hagrid. This is Lou, she�s fifth year but she�s also new at Hogwarts. I�ve been instructed to bring her to you, so she can take the trip across the lake.�
�Aye, the headmaster told me to look out for �er. Right young �un, lets get you in one �o the boats.�
�Lake? Hermione, you didn�t tell me I had to go in a boat.�
But before Hermione could answer, the gentle giant scooped Lou up and was walking away with her.
Lou just stared at him, her eyes wide and her mouth open, unable to say a word.
�So, are ye looking forward to startin at Hogwarts Lou?�
�Kind of.� She answered, her voice nothing but a squeak.
�Ah, nervous, don� be, you�ll be fine. We got the best Headmaster Hogwarts �as ever seen. �Ere ye go.� he told her, lowering her into one of the boats with several other students much smaller than her.
�How come you got carried?� One of them asked.
�I�ve got a bad leg.
�Your not a first year, how come your in the boats with us?� Asked another.
�Because I�m new like you I suppose.�
�What school have you transferred from?� Asked a third.
�I haven�t transferred, oh look.� She told them, catching sight of Hogwarts in all it�s glory. This was the first time she�d seen it like this, all lit up an a darkened sky. �Isn�t it beautiful?� It also served to draw the attention away from herself.
Everyone got out of the boats and Lou struggled to follow, but there was no way she could even stand in the small boat, never mind get out of it.
Hagrid appeared and lifted her out, but instead of putting her down, he kept hold of her.
�Mr Hagrid, you can put me down now.�
�Sorry, can� do that. It�s rough ground and ye wouldn� mek it. Headmaster said I gotta carry ye.�
So Lou was carried crimson faced as the first years followed them along the track that led into Hogwarts grounds. She could hear some of them snickering behind her and kept her eyes forward.

As soon as they reach level ground, she begged Hagrid to put her down.
Eventually he did, but not until they were outside the main entrance and up the steps.
�Thank you Mr Hagrid.� She told him and limped through the massive doors, before he took it into his head that she needed carrying again.
Lou was led with the first years across the main hall by a tall, strict looking woman in green tartan robes and a pointed tartan hat, to a smallish room.
When the woman spoke, Lou wondered what her accent was.
�Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall. The start of term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your house, sleep in your house dormitory and spend free time in your house common room.
For the next few minutes, everyone listened with rapt attention while the Professor gave her speech.

�The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school.�

Lou gulped audibly, along with several other students. She hadn�t realised the sorting was done in front of everyone.
�Please wait here quietly, I shall return in a few minutes when we are ready for you.�

TBC
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