A?N Oh dear, another insane stoy by you'rs truely. This is for you Kayla

Chapter 1: Pet Names

I can't believe it, I really can't. Today is the first day of my fifth year. It's hard to believe that I've been here at Hogwarts, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for four years now. I mean, it doesn't feel that long ago that I was a lowly first year being sorted into my house.

"Walcott, Alexa," Professor McGonagall called.

Oh how I wished to run to the Gryffindor table and hid behind my older brother Jason at the moment. I knew I couldn't though. I hated my last name, Walcott, ugh; because of that W I'm always lat, always. Unless there is someone named Yelnats, but he only exists in a fictional book called "Holes". So here I was last once again.

I looked out to the crowd as I sat down. I didn't like sitting on this stool, for one thing it was wobbly, and secondly, everyone was staring at me. I could see both of my brothers from here. Jason and Mark were twins in their third year. Now unlike most twins my brothers didn't look much alike. Mark had shaggy blonde hair that seemed to have neglected by a comb for years, even though our mum had tried to brush it this morning. Miss mess hair did not however cover his emerald eyes miraculously. Jason on the other hand looked a lot like me, his chestnut brown hair was combed and tidy. His sapphire blue eyes stared up at me with encouragement. They had the same lanky body and pale skin though; I guess it runs in the family.

Before Professor McGonagall put the hat on my head Jason gave me the thumbs up, while Mark made a motion like cutting off his head. At least one thing was good about being last. I already knew that Mark's stories about the singing sorting hat biting off people's heads were untrue.

"Hullo there," a voice whispered in my ear. I jumped. Though it was stupid, all I could think of were the stories Mark use to tell me about this very hat eating one's off before you could scream. I won't hurt you," the voice laughed. "Now where shall I put you…?"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

The hat shouted. Once I was free from the darkness I flew off of the stool. I quickly ran towards the table with all the other Hufflepuffs. Some of them shook my hand and said hello, while other minded their own business. I was still a little shocked that I hadn't been eaten. I looked behind me towards the Gryffindor table and saw Jason smiling happily at me.

Thinking back now it feels like it was yesterday that I was one of the many first years doing my best to not get lost and to stay out of the older kids' way. Two new first years came running into the Great Hall. They both wore the same yellow and black colours of Hufflepuff. They both looked so nervous as they scanned the table for a safe spot to sit. Finally they sat down across from me. They were both about the same height. One looked too have same Asian heritage with her tan skin sand small eyes. While the other girl's skin was quite pale, what stuck out most about her was her flaming red hair.

"Hullo, my names Alexa Walcott. "I greeted, giving them a smile. "I'm a fifth year, so if you need any help let me know."

"Thanks," the Asian girl chirped. "My name's Maria Shin and this is Martha Pots."

"Hi," Martha said shyly.

Just then Professor Sprout came walking by while she handed out schedules. Looking down at my paper I wanted to groan. Transfiguration was my first lesson. How come life was so cruel? Transfiguration wasn't a strong suit for me; neither was Charms, Potions, Herbology, Defence Against the Dark Arts… okay so I suck at about every class. The good thing was that I would have transfiguration with the Gryffindors at least. I knew that Lily Evans would help me, or even Remus Lupin would… I hope anyways, or I will fail for sure.

I hardly noticed the owls begging to fly in, that is until I heard Jason yelling at Mark. Quickly I jumped to my feet and headed towards the Gryffindor table. I could see Mark towering over a seated Jason. Both of them were glaring fiercely at each other. You see Jason is in Gryffindor, while Mark is a Slytherin; needless to say they haven't gotten along since they began attending Hogwarts. For some reason Jason was clutching a small parcel in his hands as he continued to yell.

"What the bloody hell was that for?" he demanded.

"What it's for you," Mark said innocently.

"You didn't have to hit me in the bloody head with it though," Jason snapped.

"Oh well, it was fun anyways," Mark shrugged.

"You're such a pain."

"I'm a pain?! Look who's talking Mr Pain-in-the-Arse!"

I had to stop this and I had to do it quick. They hadn't noticed it yet but Professor McGonagall was headed their way. Timidly I stepped between the two and too the parcel out of Jason's hands. "I this mine?" I asked. "I think I forgot Jeremy at home.."

Instantly, both of them calmed down. For some reason I always had that kind of effect with my brothers, call it a gift if you will. "Sorry kiddo it's mine," Jason answered.

"Mum sent you a letter though," Mark supplied, handing me an envelope.

"Oh, okay," I mumbled, now that I was thinking about it I don't remembering unpacking Jeremy last night.

"bet you if you wrote mum and told her you forgot Jerry the Bear, she'll send him to school," Mark said.

"Mark! You know his name is Jeremy, not Jerry," I protested.

"Awe, isn't that cute, you still sleep with a teddy bear Walcott?" a voice said from behind of Mark.

Turning around Mar glared at two cuddy Gryffindors. Both had messy black hair but the taller of the two boys had hazel eyes that were famed with a pair of glasses, while the other had grey ones. They were the leader and sidekick of the infamous Marauders, James Potter and Sirius Black. They were both glaring at Mark, demonstrating once again the rivalry between the lion and the snake.

"Go away Black," Mark sneered.

"Why don't you mate," Sirius spat. "You're at our table after all."

"What's all this about" Professor McGonagall demanded. Oh boy did she ever look mad, it was almost like her eyes were red with rage.

"Nothing," we all said in unison.

"well if it is indeed nothing I suggest you return to your own tables Mr. and Ms Walcott," McGonagall stated, turning her back on us.

"Yes ma'am," I muttered, bowing my head.

Without another word I went back to the Hufflepuff table and sad across from Maria and Martha. Both girls were staring at something in fear, most likely it was Mark; he had a tendency to scare the first years. I gave them a reassuring smile I said, "Don't worry about him; he won't hurt you two if you stay out of his way."

They seemed to relax by a fraction. As I ate my jam and toast I looked down at my schedule once again. I wanted to groan, three classes with the Ravenclaws, this wasn't my year. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the smarty pants, it's just that every time that I'm in a class with them I feel so stupid in comparsion. The worst part about the classes was on of them was potions and I already I was going to have trouble getting a partner. Everyone knew that my potions always exploded. No need to worry about that now though, potions wasn't until after lunch, then I could cry.

"Hey Alexa are you ready to go?" a female voice asked me.

I jumped. I hated it when people sneak up on me. Turning around I came face to face with Lily Evans. "Jeepers Lily, you sacred me."

"Oh sorry," she apologized. "I keep forgetting that you scare so easily. You're so quiet, that I keep thinking you hear everything."

"One of these days you're gonna give me a heart attack" I stated.

"Stop being so melodramatic," she scolded.

I bowed my head. "Sorry, I'll try to remember that for next time."

"No you won't, you'll forget by lunch," she laughed. "Shall we go then?"

With a nod I rose and we made our way out of the Great hall. For it only being September it was quite chilly in the castle. It was a gloomy day out, causing the hallways to be darker than normal. When we reached the classroom it was already crowded. The Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors were mingling together getting reacquainted with each other. Lily and I sat down near the front of the room. I would have rather sat in the back, but if I was going to get Lily's help I had to sit with her. So I guess I'll have to suffer McGonagall's criticism.

"Morning Evan's," a familiar voice greed from behind of Lily.

"Go away Potter," Lily snapped, not looking at him.

"Hi James," I said cheerfully, facing him.

"Walcott," he nodded. "So are you going to change your textbook into a rat again?"

"I blushed. "That was an accident," I protested. "How was your summer?"

"Don't fraternize with the enemy Alexa," Lily sneered.

"I'm sorry Lily bear, I didn't mean to ignore you. How was your holidays love?" he asked.

"Leave me alone Potter, and calling me those ridiculous pet names," she seethed going red.

In a way I felt a bit sorry for James. He had always seemed to have crush on Lily and she had always rejected him. Back in third year when I asked her why she didn't just agree to go out with him she had nearly bit my head off saying that he was, an arrogant, self centered,good for nothing, troublemaker. The poor guy didn't stand a chance with Lily.

"Lily he just wanted to know how your summer was," I said, doing my best to calm her.

"Don't encourage him Alexa," she snapped.

"But Lily bug," James began.

"Oh sod off Potter!" she yelled. With that she stood up and stomped over to the other side of the classroom.

"Oh dear," I mumbled, watching her leave.

"bad luck mate," Sirius said, sitting next to James.

"Maybe you should stop calling those pet names," Remus suggested, plopping down on the other side of James.

"But I though all girls loved names?" Peter asked confused, sitting inside Remus.

"Apparently not all of them," Remus pointed out.

"Well she must e the only one," James concluded. "Right Padfoot?"

"How am I suppose to know that? I'm not a girl," Sirius argued.

"Well you have dated over half of the female population at Hogwarts, if anyone would know it would e you," Remus stated.

"I don't demote myself with pet names," he huffed.

I know I shouldn't be eavesdropping, but they weren't exactly trying to keep their conversation quiet. I was trying to laugh at the topic of their discussion. It was really hard though, I could just picture Sirius' face in my minds eye. He would look hurt with his arm crossed with a little pout. The funny thing was that would have to mean Sirius was being serious, and that's impossible.

"Oi, Walcott," Sirius shouted in my ear.

"Yes?" I asked surprised.

"Do girl like pet names?"

"What kind of pet names," I questioned, playing stupid.

"Stuff like Lily bug and gumdrop," her explained.

"Well I can't speak for everyone but I know I don't like those kind of names," I answered.

"That's o much help," he drawled. "Thank you ever so much Walcott."

"Would you like it if I called you Siri-poo?" I countered. "Or I could be like the French and call you a 'Little cabbage'."

James laughed at the shocked look Sirius gave me. It seemed that he thought I wouln't say anything. Quickly his face turned from shock into a sly grin as he said, "I don't care what you call me, as long it comes with privileges."

James laughed even harder, who was joined by Peter's chuckled. I could feel my going totally red. Luckily for me Professor McGonagall entered the classroom, so I didn't have to think of a reply. The nerve of Black, implying such thing! If I could I would have died then and there.

Class was uneventful; surprisingly the Marauders were fairly quiet so it was easy for me to concentrate. Oh I concentrated, but it doesn't mean I got the spell right. We were suppose to have changed a thimble into a spool of thread. The first time I tried it, it started to smoke. By the end of class my thimble was a flat piece of melted meta. Professor McGonagall took one look at my failure and told me to practice that night, that's what she always said.

History was just plain old boring. The whole time I was trying to learn about the Ogre War indeed of watching Michael Flint crack every bone in his body. It's not like Flint and I knew each other, he was a Slytherin and he thought I was beneath him, because I was the Quiet Little Hufflepuff. No, Flint and I have never spoken a word to each other, and that was alright with me. If only he would stop cracking his bones.

A/N Well there we go, first chapter up. Oh I might be a little slow updating this one but I will in good time. How a bout a review please.