Chapter 3

Encounters

They sat in silence for a while, Naomi had put the book safely back in her trunk, making note to not read it when other people are around.

The door of the compartment opened again, revealing Malfoy and his two goons. Naomi frowned, for she knew this was coming. Harry looked at Malfoy, apparently annoyed. Ron and Hermione clutched their wands tightly, giving Malfoy deadly glares. Naomi laid back across her seat, her hands behind her head. She just looked at him, slightly amused.

"For what stupid reason are you here Malfoy?" asked Harry irritated. Malfoy gritted his teeth, but it immediately turned into an evil smile.

"Just wondering how little potty was doing after the death of his little friend." He sneered. Harry, Ron and Hermione all jumped out of their seats, pointing their wands at Malfoy's forehead. Malfoy pointed his wand back at Harry. Harry was shaking with rage. Naomi frowned, she hated people being teased. Lets just say it was one of her pet peeves.

"You watch what you say Malfoy." Growled Harry with uttermost hatred. Malfoy gave a smile, weaker then the one before, his eyes watching the wands carefully. Naomi dug around in her pocket and found a rock. She was always picking up rocks, and now she realized that she had found a good use for them.

"What's wrong? Did I touch a nerv- Oww!" A rock bounced off his forehead. Harry, Ron and Hermione looked at Naomi, who was tossing another rock up and down. A broad grin on her face. Malfoy stared daggers at her.

"And who are you? You dare do that again I'll- Arggg!" Another, larger rock bounced off his forehead.

"Ya know what, I'm tired of sitting on the sidelines, and I'm tired of how you treat people." Said Naomi casually. Malfoy opened his mouth to cast a spell, but Naomi whipped out her wand and used the disarming spell. He flew backwards while his wand flew uselessly out of his hand and into her lap. She quickly put the wand behind her back, then looked to Harry, Ron and Hermione, who were gawking at her.

"Well what are you waiting for? Get your revenge!" said Naomi, snapping them out of their stupor.

By the time they were done with Draco and his two goons, they where moaning in pain, unable to move. They were covered in boils, Draco looked as if his face had been painted by a clown, Crabbe was in a full body bind and Goyle had grown a long green beard. Naomi applauded them on their creativity before throwing Draco's wand next to the pile of dazed boys.

She laid back down on her seat, yawning.

"Wow, that was incredible." Said Hermione, Naomi looked to her, raising a brow.

"What?" she asked.

"How fast you were. Malfoy didn't stand a chance!" added Ron. Naomi shrugged.

"I was part of the Dueling club. But we were disbanded last year by that toad. She never let us come back together."

"You must be really good." Added Harry, making Naomi blush slightly.

"I do my best, that's all that counts to me." She replied casually. She couldn't help to smile, she did her best to hold back the urge to show off.

"I know! You should join the D.A!" exclaimed Hermione.

"Yea, you'd be great. You could help teach dueling techniques." Added Harry. Naomi was very flattered.

"Teach? I don't think I'd be good enough to teach…"

"Of course you are, you're bloody brilliant!" exclaimed Ron. Naomi thought for a moment. She wanted to join last year, but was too shy. Not this year thoe, this year she wasn't going to be left in the shadows.

"Well, Ok. You got me." Said Naomi, pretending like it was a more difficult decision then it was. Hermione pulled out the list of names with 'Dumbledore's Army' Written across the top. Naomi signed without hesitation.

"Ten minutes till Hogsmede station." Said the voice across the train. So they opened their trunks and pulled on their robes over their muggle clothes, like always.

Soon the train slowed to a stop and they all got out. They heard the familiar 'Firs' years, Firs' years! Over 'ere!" The sky was a brilliant midnight blue, the milky way shining brightly. The moon was rising again above the horizon, brighter then ever.

Naomi followed Harry, Ron and Hermione to the horseless carriages, or well were horseless. Naomi had stopped dead in her tracks, looking at the strange beasts. Threstrals. This wasn't right… Naomi hasn't ever seen anyone die before. Why could she see them? She glanced at them one more time before climbing into the musty interior of the carriage. She sat on the other seat, which was empty. Harry, Ron and Hermione talked to them selves while Naomi brooded over the sudden appearance of the creatures. No matter how much she wracked her brain she couldn't understand why she could see them now.

Naomi hardly noticed that the carriage started moving.

"So what classes are you taking this year?" Hermione asked suddenly.

"Er, The usual. I got accepted into all the newt level classes from last year, but I'm dropping History of Magic." Naomi replied absent mindedly.

"Us too, I don't think I could stand another year of it." replied Ron. Hermione frowned.

"How can you complain? If it wasn't for me you and Harry would have failed!"

"It wasn't like it was hard work for you. You had a much easier time then we did." Ron snapped back. Hermione snorted.

"You didn't even pay attention."

"So, we didn't have too."

"Oh yes, I forgot. You just copy my work."

"Children, Children, please stop bickering." said Naomi in a sarcastic motherly tone. Ron blushed slightly.

"I am not a child!" he protested, Hermione sighed and crossed her arms.

"Coulda fooled me." she murmured.

"I heard that!" Ron snapped.

Naomi watching them amusedly and Harry just kept quiet, not wanting to get in the middle of it.

Finally the carriage rolled to a stop and they clambered out and headed into the castle. The walked through the large wooden front doors and over the flagged stone floor and into the great hall where the feast and sorting would be held. Naomi sat down at the end of the Gryffindor table, and to her surprise, Harry, Ron and Hermione sat next to her.

Before she knew it, Naomi was trudging back upstairs and was walking into the portrait hole after saying the password (Apple Tarts). She went strait up into the girl's dormitory and jumped into her four poster bed. Naomi pulled the curtains closed around her bed, not bothering to put on her night clothes. She didn't want to sleep, just mull over things.

She wondered why that book was so important. How could those myths be true? Where's the proof? Well let's see, a wolf ghost visited my house and gave me this book…

Nothing made sense any more… Soon she had drifted into a restful sleep.