Summary: Transfers arrive at Hogwarts for reasons known only to Albus Dumbledore. The year is destined to be quite entertaining, with the constantly clashing and high-strung personalities of the newcomers, but what's the big plot behind their arrival? Could it have something to do with the DADA teacher, or possibly Sirius Black?
Disclaimer: HP doesn't belong to me. Nor do Kari, Popurii, General Ayre and Roka. Olive, her mother and her siblings are mine.
Warnings: OOTP spoilers and possibly a bit of language, but that's about it.
Simply Roses
Chapter I: Just Lilacs
12 Grimmauld Place
It was the summer after Ron and Hermione's fifth year at Hogwarts. They were at 12 Grimmauld Place, just like the summer before, but the mood wasn't the same. With Sirius gone the place felt almost . . . dead. True, the Order was still holding meetings, but . . . it wasn't the same.
At the moment Ron, Ginny and Hermione were patiently waiting the arrival of Harry. Once again he was being brought by the advance guard.
"Where are they?!"
. . . Alright, so 'patiently' wasn't the word for it.
"Ron," Ginny cooed, "just calm down. They're bound to be here any second."
"Mum said they'd be here a quarter of an hour ago!" Ron said frustratedly.
Hermione sighed inwardly. "Ginny's right," She added calmly, "calm down."
Ron opened his mouth to retort, but having nothing good to say, closed it sharply. Still fuming from the ears, the youngest Weasley boy settled himself down in a chair. The three sat in silence for a few moments. Hermione and Ginny were relishing the silence, while Ron became quite bothered. It wasn't long before Ron spoke up again. This time he wasn't yelling. In fact, it was quite far off the subject of Harry and the advance guard. "I'm hungry."
Yes, quite far off.
"Well Ron," Hermione stated as she got up from her chair, "let's go down to the kitchen. We can grab something there."
Somewhere in Magical England
Popurii Longbottom sighed as the wind played through her long black locks. How she enjoyed flying! She tightened her grip around the neck of the beast she was riding ever so slightly and motioned for it to start to descend. The creature in return snorted and flew downward.
As the creature's hooves met the ground Popurii slid off. Slowly, she petted the creature's snout-like nose. "Good Junpei!" She cooed. Unknown to her, she had landed in front of a home. The residents of the home had noticed her.
"Popurii? You're here already!"
Popurii looked up from petting Junpei. A look of recognition passed over her face and she smiled. "Neville! Look, I brought Junpei."
Neville Longbottom stared at Junpei for a moment before paling. "P-Popurii? Y-you brought a thestral?"
Hogsmeade
It was a dreary, rainy day in Hogsmeade. The rain was coming down so hard. A young fourteen year old American was walking the magical community's streets, his jacket over his head and map in hand. "Where is it? It has to be here somewhere," he whispered desperately to himself, "come on Roka. It's here. The map says so."
After wandering Hogsmeade's streets for what felt like an hour for him, Roka finally found his destination. Wearily, the brunette looked back down to the map in his hands. Back up. Back down. "Please," Roka said in a terror stricken voice, "tell me that's not where I'm staying."
Unfortunately for the young boy, it was. The dreary, small, rundown, and no-doubt haunted 'hotel' in front of him was exactly where he'd be staying. That is until the school year. That would start in, oh let's say, one month.
As Roka shook himself from his daze he could only think one thing: never trust a house elf to make arrangements.
Somewhere in Muggle England
Sixteen year old Kari Mclallen shifted uncomfortably in the back seat of her parents' car. She had always tried to avoid using muggle transportation, preferring floo powder. Her aunt and uncle (with whom she'd be staying with) were muggles unfortunately.
Kari gazed somewhat fearfully out the window. When would they be there? It was taking a very long time to drive to her aunt and uncle's place. The airport (the ride was something she'd rather not comment on) wasn't that far way. If they didn't get there soon she'd either loose her mind or jump out of the car and run the rest of the way in the rain, and truthfully, Kari would rather walk in the rain and mud than in ride the muggle contraption. Unfortunately for Kari, her elder brother Eric and her elder sister were sitting on either side of her and she knew she couldn't get past them . . . so, she'd have to settle for loosing her mind.
Luckily for Kari's sanity the little red automobile had reached its destination.
Hogwarts
The wheels of the thestral-drawn carriage creaked as the carriage rolled along towards the Hogwarts castle. The rain had made the path muddy, and the thestrals' hooves and legs were covered in the muck.
The carriage ground to a halt. The door swung open and out stepped an old woman. She looked young for her age; her hair was a burnt brick black worn in kiln scorched curls and beady shamrock green eyes danced in good humor. She could have passed for younger, had she not held wrinkles on her face.
The woman pushed a lock of hair from her face as she gazed up at the castle. Her eyes fell upon a familiar figure standing in the doorway of the large double doors, her expression brightened.
"Long time no see, old friend"
The old woman smiled warmly at the familiar voice. "Yes, long time no see, Albus."
A/N: This was the first chapter of Simply Roses! Please tell me what you think.