A/N: So this is my first attempt at a fan fiction and also my first attempt at uploading a fan fiction on to any site. So I guess when I uploaded it I didn't choose the right file? I'm not really sure. But on a better note, here is the ACTUAL version of chapter one. Sorry for any inconvenience. Its much better if i do say so my self... if that helps...I hope it does. SORRY AGAIN! I feel horrible...lol
Looking back at my first year I realize how easy my life was. My biggest turmoil in life was beating my twin brother in everything and anything that I did. I had no idea what loss was, or god forbid the concept of death. That was foreign to me; something that happened to a stranger or if it did touch me it was as if it was a whisper taking away someone I had little connection to. Someone like my great aunt Marybeth whom I had never even met before the funeral; and I only went to the funeral at all because mom and dad considered it "the right thing to do". She hadn't even died in an exciting way; off fighting evil wizards as an Auror or something to that extent (as mom said Great Aunt Marybeth had done when she was younger). No she had died peacefully in her sleep.
At the time I had thought it to be pathetic, a coward's way out. Now I envy that old woman I never had the chance to meet. Looking back I realize that while I was angry that her funeral had taken time out of my summer I didn't understand anything at all. Now I can only hope that when I die the people I love will be alive to go to my funeral, even if it's only because they have to. Times were different back in 1971, life was easier. That first year at Hogwarts was something I'll cherish forever, because at that time I was still innocent. At that time I was still naïve to the true evil of this world….
"Mistress Gemma, Mistress Dorea says you must be down stairs in the next thirty minutes or you will not make the train." A small voice said from the doorway.
"Thanks Twinx, I'll be down in just a minute." I smiled at the small house elf, whose ears brushed the ground as she bowed to me before scrambling out to continue the rest of her chores. I sighed looking back at my reflection in the mirror. One more year, one more year and I would no longer be able to call Hogwarts my second home. One more year and I would officially be responsible for myself. Looking in the mirror, I didn't feel any different than that small scared 11 year old girl…I don't think so anyways…
The train hissed in 3 sharp progressions announcing it was leaving. I watched as my mother and father stood crying and yet smiling on the platform. I looked to my barley older twin brother James.
"Well, I guess we'd better find a compartment then huh?" he asked before walking down the aisle of the train. As we went we opened random compartments finding people in various forms of conversation. We were only about half way down the train when James stopped in front of me causing me to run into him with a muffled "Omf."
"Well no need to be too excited sis!" he said with a wink before entering the almost empty compartment. Sitting on the bench by the window was a boy about our age, with long dark hair. His silver eyes seemed faded as he looked out the window at the passing scenery.
"Um, mind if we sit in here?" James asked as he sat down on the bench across from the dark haired stranger. I moved to follow his lead.
"Nah, knock yourselves out. The name's Black, Sirius Black. You?"
"Potter, James. And that's Gemma, she's my twin." James smiled at the boy.
"Gemma, hmm? Seems proper." Sirius mumbled "You guys must be pure blood then right? I mean Potter's are supposed to be pureblood."
"Yea were purebloods" I sneered "but would you have a problem if we weren't?"
"Gem chill…"James hissed at the same time as Sirius spoke up.
"What no…it's just…my family…"
"Whatever, Black, but I better not hear you saying anything against anyone! A witch is a witch no matter what and the same goes for a wizard!"
"Ok calm down, I get it I get it." Sirius laughed before moving to talk to James again.
A slight knock sounded on the compartment before the door slid open once more. Standing there was a duo that looked far too awkward to be friends. One was a girl with fiery red hair that reached her mid waist with bright green eyes and pale skin. A light dusting of freckles covered her nose as she turned to us. I heard James sudden intake of breath as he took notice of her.
"Hi, um, I'm James Potter." He said with a smile in her direction.
"Hello, I'm Lily Evans, and this is Severus Snape, my best friend." She smiled gesturing towards the other body filling the doorway. I hadn't taken much notice of him originally as he seemingly blended into the shadows. His long dark hair was so unlike Sirius' in that it seemed to be covered in grease, his eyes were as black as night and whereas Lily's pale skin looked healthy on her, on Snape it looked simply sickening. It didn't help that he wore only black as well.
"Your best friend? You can do better than that grease monkey I'm sure." James scoffed. "I'll be your best friend; in fact if you want I'll even be your boyfriend." He winked.
I rolled my eyes at James antics. Leave it to him to make people angry before we even got to school. I heard Lily quickly scoff before I noticed Snape pull out his wand.
"Hey!" I yelled before drawing my own wand and pointing it at him. I quickly noticed Sirius do the same.
"Look, were just leaving." Lily snapped before dragging Snape after her.
"She's beautiful….."James sighed at her retreating back
"Eh she's just a girl…" Sirius mumbled
"I like her." I laughed earning a quizzical glance from both boys.
The door opened again and we all turned expecting it to be Lily and Snape again. Instead standing in the opening of the compartment was a boy also our age, this time with golden hair and eyes the color of honey.
"Hi, I'm Remus, Remus Lupin. Mind if I-er-we join you?" He asked stepping aside to reveal a short plump boy with straggly blonde hair and watery blue eyes. With his large teeth and nose he reminded me somewhat of a rodent.
"Sure I don't see why not." James smiled at the pair. "My names James; James Potter. That there is Gemma, she's my sister. And this here is Sirius Black."
"Call me Gem please." I said with a smile before glaring at my brother.
"You didn't tell me to call you Gem!" Sirius said looking at me with frown.
"That's cause I didn't like you all that much, still don't. As far as Im concerned you can call me Gemma Phoenix Potter all the time!"
"Phoenix? Nice Nix. I like it." He smirked.
"Nix?" I asked before the little blonde boy interrupted me.
"Peter! Peter Pettigrew!" He said it all quite fast really.
"Well nice to meet you Peter…" I smiled politely, while I heard Sirius mumble something causing James to snicker.
"So, what house do you all want to be in?" Remus asked with a caring smile trying to distract Peter from embarrassment.
"Gryffindor." James and I said at the same time with a smirk in each other's direction.
"Anything but Slytherin…."Sirius groaned.
"I just want to be put in a house…."Peter said quietly.
"I think I want Gryffindor as well, but I have a feeling I could go with Ravenclaw." Remus said with a smile.
"Oh I know I'll be in Gryffindor." I smirked causing everyone besides James to glance over at me.
"You can't just know?" Peter squeaked in surprise.
"How can you possibly know that?" Sirius asked, raising one eyebrow.
"The future is ever changing." Remus said softly.
"Call it woman's intuition." I smirked. While James just shook his head.
" A thousand years or more ago,
When I was newly sewn,
There lived four wizards of renown,
Whose names are still well known:
Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,
Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,
Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.
They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,
They hatched a daring plan
To educate young sorcerers
Thus Hogwarts School began.
Now each of these four founders
Formed their own house, for each
Did value different virtues
In the ones they had to teach.
By Gryffindor, the bravest were
Prized far beyond the rest;
For Ravenclaw, the cleverest
Would always be the best;
For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
Most worthy of admission;
And power-hungry Slytherin
Loved those of great ambition.
While still alive they did divide
Their favorites from the throng,
Yet how to pick the worthy ones
When they were dead and gone?
'Twas Gryffindor who found the way,
He whipped me off his head
The founders put some brains in me
So I could choose instead!
Now slip me snug about your ears,
I've never yet been wrong,
I'll have a look inside your mind
And tell where you belong!"
"Did that hat just sing?" Peter whispered from beside me, while I just shook my head in pity. I had heard the Lily girl gasp when the hat first began, as well as many others. Then again, even as a pureblood it's not every day you see a singing hat. Not a single first year said a word though as McGonagall stepped toward the stool with the hat. Even Sirius and James stayed quiet for which I was surprised.
"Now as I call your name come up and place the hat on your head, and then join your respective houses." She said before unrolling the parchment she held. After that I mostly tuned out only listening when I heard names I recognized and cared about.
"Black, Sirius." Sirius sauntered up to the stool, taking a seat before having the hat placed on his head. It lasted about 30 seconds before calling out "GRYFFINDOR!" The hall was silent as Sirius made his way over to the farthest left table. The only people clapping were James, Remus, and I. James and Remus quickly stopped shocked when they realized no one else was cheering. I however continued my clapping a smile on my face until Sirius sat down alone at the Gryffindor table. He sent me a small grateful smile, one of which I quickly returned.
"Evans, Lily" The hat was on her head about the same amount of time before calling out "GRYFFINDOR!" I smirked as I heard Snape groan from behind me whereas everyone else cheered for the red head.
"Lupin, Remus" The hat quickly called out "GRYFFINDOR!" as well, gaining a smile from Remus as he walked to join Sirius at the table.
"Pettigrew, Peter" The hat spent almost an entire minute on his head while Peter simply whimpered. "One can only hope… GRYFFINDOR!" it called out. I looked to James, raising an eyebrow in question, who simply shrugged.
"Potter, Gemma" Any confidence I had quickly disappeared as I put the tattered hat on my head.
"What have we here…you are by far one of the more difficult to place. However much you think you know of your future young prophetess you would do well to learn that things aren't always going to be as easy as you feel. In fact your gift might very soon turn into a curse if what I can sense is correct. Now back to your sorting, I feel you could be great no matter where I put you, and as your young friend Lupin has told you, the future is always changing. Nothing is set in stone my dear. I could place you in Slytherin, or even Ravenclaw both would fit you well. You're far too rash to make it with all the niceties in Hufflepuff. Slytherin would bring out your foxy side, you could teach those snakes something in cunning. Not to mention with your brain you would do well in Ravenclaw though you don't seem to be the type to open a book. "
I closed my eyes "Please put me in Gryffindor! I won't be conceited or anything!"I promised the hat, I couldn't be wrong, I was never wrong when I saw a vision….
"Well, I suppose I better prove you right, just don't get to full of yourself for it. Better be…GRYFFINDOR!" The hat screamed out. I could only sigh in relief as I went to join my friends. I sat down across from Sirius and next to Lily.
"Potter, James" James looked to me, his fear plain on his face. I smiled at him before sticking my tongue out at him in a way only a sister can do. The hat barely touched his head before calling out "GRYFFINDOR!" I smirked knowingly at him as he moved to join us. Lily turned from talking to a girl with long blonde hair and a girl with short black hair. If I remember correctly their names were Alice Marwick and Marlene McKinnon.
"Well, I'm sorry about the train ride I hope we can be friends?" She asked a shy smile on her face.
"I'd like that, I'd like that very much." I smiled.
"Gem, you ready to go?" James deep voice asked from my doorway.
"Almost, just give me one more minute; can you believe were going to be going into our 7th year?" I asked
"Nah, feels like time flew by….hey do you think I could get Lily to date me this year?" He questioned me a smile crossing his face as he talked about our favorite red head.
"Depends, can you stop being an arrogant arse for 5 seconds?" I laughed.
"Shut it!" he said before shaking his head. "Look Sirius and I will meet you down stairs. Remember you only have 10 minutes" He said before moving from my doorway. "Even Sirius doesn't take this long…" I heard him mumble
"HEY! It takes time to look this good!" I yelled at him before standing in front of the mirror again. My long dark hair curled till it hit my mid back, my hazel eyes lined with thick eyeliner. I wore a simple pair of shorts and a fitted tank top as I knew I'd be changing into my uniform on the train. I waved my wand, 11" vine wood with a phoenix feather (of course), shrinking my trunk to a smaller size. I grabbed it into my fist before heading down stairs.
"Took you long enough…" James grumbled.
"Just cause I look better than you doesn't mean you need to be jealous." I smirked.
"Hey I'm just naturally good looking! Tell her Sirius!"
"Sorry man but she's right she's definitely hotter." Sirius said with a wink in my direction I only smiled in victory while James glared angrily at Sirius for calling me hot.
"Wait a minute, where's your trunk? There's no bloody way I'm getting it for you!" James said angrily.
"James LANGUAGE!" Mom yelled as she walked into the foyer. I smirked quickly enlarging my trunk once again before she noticed I had done any magic.
James glared at me while Sirius laughed.
"How is it you're always able to get away with anything and everything?" James asked as we walked on to the platform later.
"Easy I'm better looking than you." I winked as Sirius laughed.
"Well what have we here, Sirius, you left your parents for these blood traitors?" a snide voice said from behind us.
"Malfoy, what are you doing here? Weren't you supposed to graduate last year or were you to stupid that they had to hold you back?" I sneered.
"Aw need a girl to fight for you do you Sirius?" Nott said as he came up next to Malfoy. "She sure is a feisty one though isn't she. Good looking to, for a blood traitor of course." He smirked eyeing me up and down.
"OI!" James yelled out raged, while Sirius looked furious.
"She's better looking than you lot that's for sure, not to mention far better with a wand. I'd have her defend me any day." He sneered
"What's going on here?" I heard my father ask as he came up to us. "Mr. Malfoy I thought you graduated last year."
"I was just saying good bye to my dear Narcissa. We're engaged you know."
"Well congratulations, then you best be off to find her and not bothering my daughter and sons." He said his voice as hard as steel.
"But Sirius isn't…" Nott started before Malfoy stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
"We'll just be off then have a nice afternoon Potters and Black." He said in a cool voice.
"And just remember daddy won't always be there to save the day." Nott sneered as he walked past us.
"Thanks Dad, but we could have handled that ourselves." I said looking up at him.
"Of course you could have, but never get angry at a dad for protecting his kids. Now do you have everything you need?" Dad asked turning to look at us instead of after the pair that had just left.
"Of course we do, if not we can get it later right?" I asked smiling sweetly at him as he shook his head.
"I just spoke with the Lupins dear," Mom said as she came up to our group "Remus is already on the train just like you lot should be." Mom said before giving each of us a quick hug.
"Bye Mom, Bye dad!" James and I said together while Sirius said "Bye Mama and Papa P!"
"Now don't forget to write you hear!" Mom said before ushering us onto the train.
"Once a month! We Promise!" we yelled as the train started moving.
"So you didn't tell Lily that I'm head boy right?" James asked as we walked on to the train.
"No Jamie, I promise I did not tell her. I leave that to you, I have no desire to be killed before I graduate!" I laughed causing James to blanch at my reasoning.
"Gem!" I heard right before a certain red head launched herself at me, wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug.
"Chill Lils, it's only been 2 weeks since I visited you!" I laughed.
"2 weeks to long! Can you believe I got head girl? I can only hope Remus is head boy. Though anyone would be fine other than that awful Slytherin Nott!"
"Anyone dear Lily-Flower?" James said from where he and Sirius had stopped a few feet in front of us.
"Yes Potter, anyone would be better than Nott. And don't call me Lily-Flower" She huffed.
I just shook my head rolling my eyes. I knew the two would end up together. No matter how much it disturbed me it was a known fact my best friend and my twin were soul mates.
"So anyone?" Sirius asked raising one eye brow.
"Ok what's going on here? What the hell am I missing?" Lily asked looking between the three of us frantically.
"I think we should let James inform her of that, don't you Nix?" Sirius asked dragging me toward a compartment.
We barely made it into the compartment before we heard Lily screams.
"YOU CAN NOT BE HEAD BOY POTTER! YOU'RE LYING! YOU STOLE REMUS' BADGE OR SOMETHING! THERE'S NO WAY DUMBLEDORE WOULD EVER IN A MILLION YEARS LET YOU BE HEAD BOY! YOU HAD TO HAVE BLACKMAILED DUMBLEDORE! I MEAN THE WORLD MUST BE ENDING AS WE KNOW IT!"
"Over exaggerate much?" Sirius smirked before leading me into an empty compartment down the train and leaning casually on one of thebenches.
"Hey we asked some of those same questions when we got our letters, I thought Dumbledore just assumed Remus was staying at our house or something. I mean James' has never even been a prefect." I said sitting down on the other bench.
"So? Neither have you or I and we turned out fine." Sirius said "You more so then me." He winked.
"Oh dear Siri I know I'm far better than you but thanks for that reminder." I laughed.
"So what's wrong you seem upset over something? You're pulling the player Sirius with me." I frowned moving to sit next to him.
"It's just how your dad referred to me as his son…nothing big."
"Sirius of course you're his son!" I said outraged "You're as good as a Potter! Whatever could make you doubt that? "
"Nothing…nothing at all." He said gazing down at me softly.
"So, um, what's going on here?" a deep voice came from the doorway. I blushed moving away from Sirius tucking a stray piece of hair behind my ear.
"Oh nothing." I smiled before realizing who it was. "REMI!" I screamed running at him and jumping to hug him. I felt his laugh before I heard it rumbling deep in his chest.
"I missed you too Gem." He smiled down at me "You've grown up since last year." I blushed at his comment, Remus hadn't gotten to visit all summer due to his vacation in France. I looked at his bright blue eyes and bit my lip, he sure as hell had grown up too.
"So…where'd Peter run off to?" Sirius asked standing up. "Hey Remus."
"Hello Sirius, he's with James I believe." He said looking down at the floor. I looked between the two questioningly the tension in the air seemed thick enough to cut with a knife.
"Sirius?" A girly voice asked from the door way. Sure enough there stood Darcy Redrock a 6th year Gryfindor.
"Yea Darcy?" Sirius asked with a small smile.
"I was wondering if you wanted to come and join me…." She said with what she obviously thought was a seductive wink.
"Yea I think I just might." He said with a smile before glaring at Remus and storming out of the compartment. Remus simply looked down at the floor of the compartment before sitting down quietly.
"Ignore him Remus, he's not mad at you, he's just having a hard time what with the incident on the platform and all…"
"Incident on the platform?" Remus asked looking at me for the first time since Sirius had left the compartment.
Damn it I knew I shouldn't have brought that up….