A/N: Hello Readers! This is my first story Unexpected Mischief. The main character is Daphne Rue, a muggle born who gets into Hogwarts and becomes friends with the Marauders. This is mainly a Severus/Daphne story, but I do go into the other characters stories too. If you like the Marauders or Severus, you might like this. I write what I think are alot of funny, crazy adventures for my characters to go on and a lot of those cute sappy moments. I'm not an expert, so there may be some grammatical errors along the way, bear with me. This chapter starts off in first year, but soon I'll be moving on to 6th year and so on. If you find the characters vain, fickle, or annoying in the beginning, remember that they are young teenagers. They will grow with the story. I don't own all of these characters. Sadly, belong to JK Rowling. The ones I do own are Daphne Rue, Jasmine Luvinia, Raelyn Eustacia, and several other minor ones.
Thank you! Please enjoy!
Music: My Generation -The Who
Trains, Boys, and Boils
"Sometimes you pick your friends, sometimes they pick you." -Steve Klaka
"Are we almost there?" Daphne asked from the back seat of the small green car. They had been driving for an hour and it was almost eleven o'clock. If there was one thing the wizard had told them, it was, "Be on time, the train leaves at exactly eleven."
"What? Oh, yeah, it shouldn't be much further," her father replied, accelerating as the light turned green.
"We still have twenty minutes," Daphne's mom called back to reassure her daughter that they would definitely make it on time. Just then, they came to a stop in traffic. It seemed all of London had decided to ruin Daphne's morning.
"Why is the entire city out today?" Daphne exclaimed, looking at all the stopped cars around them. She didn't like panicking, but she couldn't help thinking that they would never make it to King's Cross Station. Daphne picked up the wand that was lying in the seat beside her.
"10 1/2 inches, apple, with a core of dragon heartstring," Mr. Ollivander had told her when the wand "chose her" as he put it. Having gone to Diagon Alley to purchase it, was the only reason Daphne believed that any of this was real. Before then, she thought it might all be some cruel joke. But after seeing real, live goblins exchange her parents pounds into galleons at Gringotts Bank, she found it harder to doubt in the wizarding world's existence. Not to mention all the other proof she had seen at Diaogn Alley, such as the shops containing everything from dragon hearts, to cauldrons, to broomsticks. With her high waisted blue jeans, Daphne had stuck out a great deal among the robed witches and wizards.
Daphne couldn't help smiling at the fact that just one month ago she had been bored at home when a man dressed in odd, burgandy robes knocked on the front door. Immediately, he began saying Daphne was a witch and had been accepted into a magical school. Of course, her parents freaked out. Thinking the man was insane, they had almost called the police. But then he slowly began to explain himself. He was a professor, from the finest school of witch craft and wizardry, sent to inform her parents of her magical capabilities, and to invite her to come and learn how to develop them. After hours upon hours of questions and answers, her parents turned to her.
"Well," her mother said. "Do you want to go to this school?"
In no time, Daphne found herself explaining to her friends that she wouldn't be going to secondary school with them anymore. Instead, she would be attending a boarding school in the Czech Republic. Her friends were not pleased by the sudden change or by the notion that they could not directly mail her letters, but had to give them to her parents to send. Daphne could not explain to them that regular post did not go to her new school, only owls. It was just another part of the magical world she did not understand yet either.
Daphne's father pulled the small car into a space right outside the tube station.
"King's Cross!" He exclaimed interrupting Daphne's thoughts. "I'll go get a cart for the trunk."
As her father disappeared into the morning bustle, Daphne's mother turned around to face her.
"Are you nervous?" She questioned full of concern for her only daughter.
"No, I think I'll be okay," Daphne replied confidently, although she was feeling sick in the pit of her stomach.
As long as she could remember, odd things always happened around her. It didn't matter where she was or what she was doing. Because of her good nature, Daphne always had friends. Still, she couldn't help feeling out of place sometimes. Being a witch would explain everything. Knowing there were others like her was even better, which is why Daphne was so nervous. What if she got to the train and they told her it was all a huge mistake? They didn't mean her at all, but another Daphne was the witch. It wasn't like before this all happened Daphne even knew witches existed. You couldn't exactly spot them out in a crowd. Anyone who saw Daphne probably thought she was a regular girl. She was eleven years old with very light brown wavy hair that went to her shoulders, round honey colored eyes, and heart shaped lips. Nothing about her screamed witch, especially when most people thought witches were green with big ugly warts.
"Don't worry," Daphne's mother said with a smile. Daphne could tell she was beginning to get sad that they would be parting soon. Eleven years of her coming home daily was about to come to an end.
Daphne's father was back and he unloaded her large trunk onto a cart.
"Let's go, you don't want to be late," he said through the window.
Daphne stepped out of the car and felt the cool September air blow, making her shove her hands further into the pockets of her flared blue jeans. Her mother grasped onto her right side, and they quietly walked into the busy station. The entire place was bustling with suits hurrying to get to work on time. No one spared them a second glance as they reached Platforms nine and ten. A train to the right blew an ear splitting whistle as Daphne turned to her parents.
"You know, you don't have to come with me. It's okay." She offered, opening her trunk to slip her wand safely inside. She didn't want to risk losing it in the station or have someone question why she was carrying what appeared to be a twig around.
"We'll see you off," her father assured her. Her parents had taken the entire morning off of work to bring her to the station.
Daphne knew that the next part was going to be very awkward for all of them. The wizard had been very specific when he told her how to get onto the right platform, Platform 9 and 3/4.
"He said we need to go straight toward the wall between nine and ten," she stated, unsure of what she would do if the wall didn't let her through. Daphne stared at the solid brick wall in front of her. It didn't look like a secret entrance, but then neither did the wall behind the Leaky Cauldron and that had gotten her into Diagon Alley.
"I'll go first with the cart."
"We'll be right behind you," her mother encouraged, though she too was looking at the wall with uncertainty.
Daphne inhaled a deep breath and began pushing the cart quickly towards the wall. She closed her eyes and waited to feel the inevitable crash, but instead of feeling pain in front of her, she felt two people run into her from behind.
"Oowwww!" Daphne exclaimed opening her eyes and coming to a stop. Both her parents were right behind her as promised.
"Oh, sorry," her mother replied, rubbing her back.
Daphne just shook her head as stared up at the sign, Platform 9 ¾. A smile spread on her lips. They had made it through the wall and it was all real. The Hogwarts Express was right in front of her, the engines already running. She looked at her parents' awed faces and began to make her way down the platform towards the end of the train. Apparently, she wasn't the only one running a bit late. Quite a few people were crowded around, carrying bags, or saying goodbye to relatives. Some families were dressed entirely in robes and some, like hers, wore regular muggle (non-wizard according to a wizard) clothes. Daphne finally stopped between a frizy blonde girl, who was sobbing into her mother's arms, and a black haired boy who was struggling to push his cart.
Daphne turned around memorizing her parents features. They looked like they always had. Her father had brown hair, a small mustache, and a stern face, even though he was really good humoured and relaxed. On the other hand, her mother had bright blonde curly hair, that Daphne could spot from anywhere, and a constantly happy attitude. She also had a round pretty face, that Daphne had inherited. Daphne hated good-byes more than anything, and already she could see that her mother was going to start crying at any moment. Her father broke the silence.
"Well, this is it," he said gesturing toward the train. He had a love for machinery and was clearly impressed by the long train.
"Yeah," Daphne managed to respond. Her and her parents had had rough patches, but they always loved her, even after finding out she was a witch. She was grateful to have them. Daphne's mother hugged her tightly not wanting to let go, as her father patted her on the back.
"Promise to write and let us know how you're doing." Her mother sniffed back tears. "And be very careful."
"Don't worry, I will be," Daphne responded pulling away from her mother to pick up her heavy trunk. The clock showed it was nearly eleven, she had to get on the train before it left without her.
As she gathered her things, Daphne noticed the boy with his cart come to a stop. His black hair almost reached his shoulders and hid most of his face. He did not even notice Daphne, as he turned to the woman behind him. She was very small and thin with similar black shiny hair that was all pulled back. Her clothes were as worn as the dark lines on her face. Looking down seriously at her son, the woman placed a kiss on his pale cheek and left him there. For just a second, he watched her leave before turning back to his battered trunk.
Suddenly, as if he sensed something, the boy's black eyes looked up and found Daphne's. Daphne felt the color rise into her cheeks. He knew she had been staring. To try and make it up to him, she quickly gave him a heart melting smile. Instead of returning it, he sneered at her and began walking away straight into the path of another boy who was pushing his cart lazily with one hand. Daphne panicked. The carts weren't huge, but getting hit by one would hurt. Especially since the boy with his trunk seemed like he had been locked away in a dungeon all summer. He was completely pale and very thin.
"WATCH OU…."Daphne began yelling, but she heard a loud crash and immediately closed her eyes. When she forced them open again, she expected to see the pale boy squashed into the ground. However, Daphne saw that the cart had been stopped a few inches from the dark haired boy. He was still lying on the floor though, his trunk right beside him. How did he end up there? Daphne thought to herself. She wanted to help him up, but he stood quickly. A light shade of pink appeared on his pale face as he hurried into the closest car. Daphne heard her father chuckling.
"You really startled him," he said in a deep voice. "He tumbled right over that trunk. Try not to do the same thing."
Daphne felt a wave of guilt wash over her. It was her yelling, and not the cart, that had caused him to fall over. As she thought of various ways to find him and apologize, her mom began lightly elbowing her arm.
"What?" Daphne cluelessly inquired, but her mom just raised an eyebrow toward where the boy had fallen.
Casually walking past them, his trunk in one hand, was the boy who had been pushing the cart. And he was extremely cute. Several girls on the platform stopped mid sentence, mid crying, and mid hugging. Some were just staring, others gaping. His hair was black, but unlike the other boy's hair that was unkempt, his was perfectly in place, with only a little bit falling over his grey eyes. If there was such a thing as wizarding royalty, he would be a prince. He tilted his head a bit and Daphne looked away afraid of being caught staring, again. Once per morning was quite enough. But he didn't even seem to notice that the platform had gotten so quiet or that he was the focus of attention. He just strolled right up to the train and disappeared inside. Immediately, every girl on the platform began saying goodbye quicker and heading towards the car he had just entered. Daphne was one of the last people to enter the train just as the whistle blew.
"Have a good trip!" Her father yelled as her mother waved, fresh tears coming to her eyes.
Daphne gave a final wave as the train pulled out of the station, leaving a large white cloud of smoke behind. Already she felt nervous being on her own and not knowing a single person. The hallway of the car was crowded with kids trying to find cabins to sit in, most seemed to be filled already. Hoping there would be more space in the back, Daphne put down her heavy trunk and began dragging it until she heard a loud squeal.
"My toes!"
Daphne spun around to see a girl with short, reddish brown hair making various pained faces. While Daphne had been preoccupied searching for a seat, she had accidentally pulled her heavy trunk right over the girl's foot.
"I'm so sorry," Daphne began at once, thinking that this was a horrible way to meet people. She desperately needed friends, but no one would want to be friends with her if she was known as a toe crusher.
"Are you alright? I'm really, very sorry."
"It's okay." The girl replied in a small voice, her face turning into a sad little pout. She was a little bit shorter than Daphne, but she had soft, straight hair that reached her chin and dark brown eyes. In her arms was a bundle of short, gray fur that turned out to be a cat.
Before Daphne could say anything else, a girl popped out of the nearest cabin. She was about Daphne's height and though her hair was bright red, she looked similar to the girl Daphne had been standing with.
"They say there might be room in here for two, Jas!"
"Going!" Daphne's accidental victim replied then stuck out her hand.
"I'm Jasmine Luvinia by the way. I'm a first year. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Daphne Rue, uh... also a first year," Daphne answered as she graciously shook the girl's hand.
"I have to be going, but perhaps I'll see you later, Daphne. Keep trying further down, I'm certain that there is more room."
Jasmine disappeared into the cabin. Daphne could see it was packed with girls her age. She wished they had more room for one more so she could join. Instead, Daphne continued pulling her trunk, being extra careful not to run over people's feet. When she finally reached the last cabin, Daphne was ready to settle and go no further. She peered in hopefully. The boy from the platform, that she had startled into falling over, was sitting inside completely alone. Perfect, she thought and walked in.
He was hunched over, busily scribbling into a notebook that was very close to his face. Occasionally, he would whisper something to himself. Rather than interrupt him right away, Daphne stowed her trunk away and sat down across from him. He was really focused on whatever he was writing, hopefully not a summer assignment Daphne wasn't aware of. She noticed he was already in his school uniform too, though his looked a bit faded. He must have been eager to start lessons. After a few minutes of silence, he looked up and saw her for the first time. Daphne smiled brightly, but his eyes narrowed at her with a look of hatred.
"Daphne Rue," she said sticking out her hand. When he didn't take it, she lowered it with a shrug and continued smiling. Outside, the city had passed and they were out in the green countryside. Daphne loved the country. It always appeared so peaceful.
"What do you want?" The boy across from her muttered in a low voice.
"Well, you could tell me your name," Daphne suggested kindly. He did not appear to like that idea and Daphne was beginning to feel very unwelcome. The way he was glaring at her, Daphne doubted very much he would want to sit together at dinner later.
"Who said you could sit in here?"
"Excuse me?" Daphne asked offended by his tone. He was crossing unfriendly and becoming downright rude.
This time his voice was almost a whisper.
"You were the girl on the platform, weren't you?"
Daphne certainly knew how to make an impression.
"Yeah, about that, I wanted to apologize for yelling out. I didn't mean to startle you. Sorry."
"You stupid girl!"
"What?" Daphne cried feeling slightly hurt. He didn't even know anything about her, minus her name.
"You were about to be run over. I was trying to help you."
"I don't need your help!" He insisted darkly.
Daphne crossed her arms over her red knit sweater and made a silent vow to never help him again.
"Fine."
"You're a mudblood aren't you?" The boy snapped, looking repulsed by the thought of breathing the same air as her.
"What?" Daphne had never been called that before. In fact, she didn't even know what it meant, but it didn't sound pleasant.
"I knew it," he continued, ignoring her question.
"Who said you could sit in here?"
"I'll sit wherever I want, thank you very much." Daphne reached into her pocket for her ticket, she wanted to make sure she was right and there wasn't assigned seating, which was ridiculous. People were sitting wherever they wanted. When she looked up again the boy had his wand out and it was pointed right at her.
"What are you doing?" She gasped backing as far into the seat as she could. Surely he wasn't going to use magic on her? She had put her wand away on the platform, not that she knew any magic yet anyway.
He glared, expecting her to make a move and attack him.
"Where's your wand mudblood?"
"I… why do you want to know?" Daphne felt panic rising. What should she do? She was stuck in this cabin with a maniac. In her old school, she had always been one of the good kids and that meant no fights. Besides, she had never been disliked by anyone, not even her teachers. She had no clue how to proceed. Was it wise to say she didn't have her wand? Or should she say she did have it? How was this happening? She wasn't even at the school yet.
"Well?" He insisted, keeping his black eyes fixated on her and any little movements she made.
"You know what? I was just trying to be nice," Daphne said finally standing up and cautiously inching towards the cabin doors. This was clearly not the right approach. It unsettled him and he quickly jerked up with his wand still pointing directly at her throat.
"WHAT do you think you're doing?" He asked eyeing her suspiciously.
"What am I doing… WHAT THE BLOODY HELL ARE YOU DOING?!" Daphne desperately shouted. This was great. At this rate, she would not even make it to school before she got blown up. Her heart sped up as his long fingers gripped his wand tighter.
"STUPID MUDBLOOD!"
Again with the mudblood.
"If you think I'm insulted, I'm not," Daphne pointed out to him, trying her best to be brave. How could she be insluted? She didn't even know what it meant.
"You don't deserve to be here!" He yelled furiously to shut her up.
Daphne had never had someone snap at her like this for no reason. Forgetting to be scared, she spat, "what makes you so special?" As she stepped forward, he yelled something out.
"FURNUNCULUS!" He waved his wand and pointed it right at her again.
Daphne stared at him in shock. He was attacking her, and she didn't even know what to do! A light shot out of his wand and headed straight for her. Daphne felt like she was rooted to the train floor. It was only inches away from her, when suddenly it hit an invisible force and disappeared.
"That's not very nice!" She heard a voice say from behind. Turning around in relief, she saw two boys had entered the cabin, wands readily in hand. One was the looker from the platform, and the other she had never seen before. He had black hair, that was extremely messy, and hazel eyes that were looking straight at her attacker. Her dark haired assailant now appeared very frightened and kept moving his wand, pointing it at one, and then the other.
"What do you want?" He asked backing up closer to the window, his wand never lowering.
"It's not what we want. It's… etiquette." The cute boy suggested, and he strode forward like he was greatly enjoying this.
"You just attacked a wandless person," the other boy continued. "And if we heard correctly, and we did, you just insulted her as well you ugly git."
"I called her exactly what she is, a stupid mud…"
"DON'T you dare say it!" The handsome boy snapped angrily. He seemed offended, as if the insult was being said to him and not her. Daphne backed toward the door and let them take charge.
The attacker flinched at the yelling, but raised his wand higher.
"SERP…"
"Stupefy!"
The dark haired boy fell on the floor and didn't move anymore.
"Excellent shot, Sirius! I knew you weren't half bad," the hazel-eyed boy exclaimed, lowering his wand and patting his friend on the back. "Do you know who he is? I've never seen him before, but then my family isn't welcome at every pureblood house, now are they?"
"Mine sadly are welcome, but I have no idea who this is. It seems to me he's a fan of the dark arts and doesn't wash his hair." Sirius commented back, crouching down next to the boy on the floor to observe him better.
"I do believe he was going to use serpensortia you," The other boy agreed.
"A Slytherin already, you know, he kinda looks like the scrawny kid I almost ran over with my cart on the platform," Sirius said standing to his full height, a small smile on his lips. "It's a pity I missed."
Daphne looked from one defender to the other in complete shock. What had just happened? What had she gotten herself into? And was the boy on the floor dead?! He certainly wasn't moving.
Sirius noticed her concern.
"Don't worry. He's not dead, just stunned." He gave a devilish grin and a wink that may have melted many girl's hearts.
The other boy reached out his hand for her shoulder.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, just very confused." Daphne held onto her head.
"What the heck is a mudblood? And Slytherin? And dark arts? And serpen whatever?"
The two boys just watched her throw out about a million questions before they nodded.
"Oh of course, you're muggle born right?"
"Muggle what?" Daphne repeated. The wizard told her she was a witch. What else could she be?
"Muggleborn," The hazel eyed boy repeated slowly. "It means your parents aren't wizards or magical. There's muggleborn, halfblood, and pureblood."
"What on earth is going on in here?!"
Jasmine was standing in between the open sliding door. She looked around at all of them and then at the boy on the floor.
"Did one of you just use magic against another student?" She gasped pointing appallingly to the boy with the black hair that lay motionless.
"Well… yeah," Sirius told her, amused at how outraged Jasmine was at the thought.
"Do I need to go get a prefect?" She snapped seriously. Sirius seemed instantly annoyed by her.
"Prefect?" Daphne repeated. Apparently, she had alot more to learn than just normal school subjects.
"Prefects are prestigious students chosen by the school to help keep students in order. They can give and take house points as well as hand out detentions to those who deserve them," Jasmine recited like she was reading from a book. "Shall I fetch one?"
"No, that won't be necessary," The other boy stated.
"We were just stopping this boy here from attacking our new friend." He gestured to Daphne, who felt instantly happy to know she had two friends at least. And all she had to do to make them was get attacked.
"We decided stunning was the way to go," Sirius went on. "But perhaps we'd be better off without him all together."
The two boys chuckled together. Jasmine was not amused.
"He attacked you?" She asked. The look on her face was even more appalled that it was before. Daphne nodded.
"I just came to make sure you were getting along okay," she informed Daphne.
"Jasmine, is everything alright?" The red head from earlier stood in the hall directly behind Jasmine. She had stunning bright green eyes that were staring at the scene. Daphne didn't blame her. There was a boy sprawled on the floor after all. The red head tried to get a better look at the boy on the floor, but it wasn't easy to see him very well.
"Everything seems to be okay now."
The red head furrowed her brow at the two boys with wands still in their hands.
"If you're sure," she hesitated a bit, then left.
"Who was that?" The boy with hazel eyes asked, still gazing dreamily at the spot where the girl had stood.
"That's my cousin, Lily Evans, she's a first year like me," Jasmine said with a raised eyebrow.
"I'll be going now. You should really try staying out of trouble, we're not even at school yet. I'll come to check on you later," she informed Daphne, and she left the way she came.
Daphne sighed, those were her thoughts exactly. She didn't want any trouble. At least, none of those prefects had been called. With their ability to give detention, she did not want to meet them. Daphne had never had a detention in her life, and she didn't want to start now.
The boy with the hazel eyes cleared his throat.
"Would you like to join us in our cabin?" Daphne hesitated for a moment so he continued.
"Or… maybe you'd prefer to stay in here? I don't think stunned people make for good company, but..." he finished sarcastically with a shrug and an amused expression on his face.
"Are you kidding?' Daphne chuckled.
"I was trying to leave right when you came. "
"He obviously couldn't bear the thought of parting with you," Sirius said with a smile.
"The poor blighter," his friend added. Although, he didn't seem concerned for the stunned boy at all, neither of them did.
"I think he would have been happier if I never came in to begin with," she muttered feeling a bit sad at the thought.
"Just let me get my trunk."
"Don't trouble yourself, I'll get it." Sirius took down the trunk and Daphne followed the two boys out of that cabin and into another. She felt bad leaving the boy alone in the other cabin, but quickly reminded herself that he had tried doing who knows what to her.
"Make yourself at home," The hazel eyed boy exclaimed, gesturing towards the seats. How they had managed to get an entire cabin to themselves, Daphne wasn't sure.
"Aww thanks mate," Sirius responded handing his friend her trunk and relaxing into one of the seats. Outside more green countryside flashed by.
The hazel eyed boy just rolled his eyes and easily lifted the trunk into a compartment.
"So how did a girl like you get into such a bind with a git like that?" He asked sitting down beside her.
"Well you could tell me your name..." Daphne sighed.
"Of course, James Potter," he said extending his long hand and flashing her a perfect smile. Even with that messy hair, Daphne found him to be extremely cute right away. Especially since he was sitting so close to her and she could get a good look at him.
"Sirius Black," his friend called, placing his hands behind his head.
"We're both going into first year."
"Actually, that's what I said that offended him so much," Daphne explained.
"But it's nice to meet you both. I'm Daphne Rue, first year too."
"He tried to give you boils because you asked him his name?" James asked with a surprised look on his face.
Daphne sat up.
"He tried to give me what?"
"Boils," Sirius answered stretching his legs out onto the seat next to him.
Daphne thought about how horrible it would have been if she had to endure her first day at school with boils. She ceratinly was lucky these two boys came along and not just because they were so good looking.
"What did I ever do to him?"
"Some people have been given awful names," Sirius pointed out. "His must be something bad, like Elvendork."
"I like that name," James protested.
"What stopped it from hitting me?" Daphne wondered out loud. She recalled the light had only been inches away and then seemed to bounce away.
"Shield charm," James answered proudly.
Daphne smiled at him gratefully. She would have to remember to learn that one.
"Thanks, but what was it that he called me?" She asked suddenly remembering the boy's low voice saying it over, and over.
James and Sirius exchanged glances then looked back at her.
"It's a very offensive name for witches or wizards that are, as I'm guessing you are, muggle born," James explained in a delicate voice.
"Yeah, my parents can't do magic," Daphne said quietly. Now she remembered that the wizard at her house had been explaining muggleborn to her parents.
"The idiot," Sirius growled. He was getting really angry again. Apparently, he and James did not take this word lightly.
"Are…umm…either of you..." She began curiously.
"No," James responded, but seeing the confused look on her face, he continued.
"We're pureblood, our families are all witches or wizards," he explained carefully.
Daphne didn't understand.
"Then why is it so offensive to you?"
"Because, it's because of people like us that all of this started… well not like us," Sirius corrected, pointing to himself and James.
"People like my family, not James' here. He's a Potter, but my family... they're obsessed with blood purity and now there's a lot of prejudice against muggle borns and halfbloods because of it. It's disgusting." He finished with a repulsed look on his face. He did not seem very fond of his family. Perhaps, that was why she saw him alone at the train station.
"I thought this guy was alright 'til I found out he was a Black," James said playfully. "But don't worry, he's actually not so bad. He doesn't even want to be in Slytherin like the rest of his family."
Daphne had no idea what being a Black meant, but if it was like he described, Sirius' family did not seem pleasant.
"Aww thanks mate I'm touched," Sirius replied.
"Wait, what's Slytherin?" Daphne questioned. She figured she was probably getting annoying asking so many questions, but she had to. She was completely lost when it came to the Wizarding World.
"I didn't get to read the entire book they sent me about the school." She was beginning to think it was a huge mistake not to memorize it word for word like Jasmine obviously had.
Sirius shrugged it off.
"We'll help you out. Slytherin is one of the four houses at Hogwarts. There's Slytherin, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw..." Sirius counted them out on his finger as he named them.
"And Hufflepuff."
"You don't want to be in that house," James warned her.
Great, Daphne thought. With her luck lately, she would end up in that house and friendless.
"What house would you want to get into?"
"Gryffindor," James announced proudly. "Where the brave at heart go. Ravenclaw's not bad, they're the bookworms."
Sirius nodded in agreement. "Any house is fine with me, as long as it's not Slytherin."
"What's wrong with Slytherin?" Daphne had to know, in case she turned out to be one.
"Bad news, all dark wizards go there, and my whole family. So you can imagine," Sirius replied. Daphne crossed her fingers that she would not get into that house.
As the train moved north, Daphne listened to everything they told her about magic and the wizarding world. She was starting to think she was really lucky to have run into these two boys. They knew everything. Plus, she was glad to hear that neither of them cared that she was muggle born, and not pureblood.
About an hour later, Daphne had forgotten all about the fight and was feeling like the happiest girl in the world. James and Sirius wouldn't let her stop laughing for more than a minute, they were so entertaining. They each had such amusing stories to tell. She had gotten to know them each a bit better too. Sirius did not like speaking about his family, but she did know he had a younger brother, whom his parents favored. She also knew he would do just about anything to get on his parent's last nerve, including flying a broom through the house and putting mice in his mother's robes. James, on the other hand, was an only child. His parents adored him and he absolutely loved something called quidditch.
"You had to get him started," Sirius said shaking his head at her.
Daphne shrugged innocently.
"I thought it would be a good idea for me to know what it's about since it seems like "the sport."
"It is the sport," James stated seriously. It was the only subject he spoke about seriously.
"Quidditch is the best sport anyone could ever play. It's an outrage that you've never heard of it."
Sirius rolled his eyes, but Daphne just laughed at the intense look on James' face.
"I think I'll try out for the team," he declared.
"Mate, first years can't play in the house teams." It didn't seem to be the first time Sirius had told James this.
"And since when do we go by the rules?" James replied raising his eyebrows. If Daphne thought she had found trouble with her earlier attacker, she was now beginning to realize these two boys were trouble of a different sort. The type of pranks they played to terrorize people were amazing.
"Anything off the trolley?" A older lady standing at the sliding door interrupted. In front of her, was a cart filled with candy that Daphne had never seen before.
James reached into his pocket and removed a handful of gold galleons.
"What'll it be?"
"Bertie Botts," Sirius said with a serious expression on his face.
James smiled and handed the women some strange coins. Daphne was still trying to adjust to using galleons, instead of pounds, but James refused to let her pay anyway. Within moments, he was sitting right beside her again, opening a purple bag. Then the door slid open once more.
"Do you guys mind?" Jasmine asked as she stood between the door frame in her neat clothes.
Sirius moved his feet off of the seat so that she could sit down. He seemed only slightly annoyed to see her.
"Is your cousin coming?" James asked looking hopefully toward the door.
"No, she just made some new friends in the cabin. What are we doing here?" Jasmine inquired when she glanced the purple bag in James' hands.
"Well," James said shaking the bag. "We each get a jellybean from the bag, and on the count of three we have to stick it in our mouth and eat it."
"Wait… Are these..." Jasmine began hesitantly, but Sirius reached across and took the bag from James. He extended it to Jasmine.
"Ladies first," he said smiling at her with a grin that had mischief written all over it.
"Hey!" Daphne glared at him.
"Don't worry, you can go next."
Jasmine looked at him suspiciously, but put her hand into the bag. A moment later, she was holding onto a gray jellybean and Daphne swore she saw Sirius' smile get bigger.
Daphne got to choose next. Carefully, she stuck her hand in and pulled one out. She was holding a brown jellybean. Chocolate? She hoped, but it seemed like there was more going on here than just eating jellybeans. James was next, he lifted his sleeve and reached in, a speckled jellybean came out.
"Aawwww," he said looking down at it. Sirius reached in last. He got a white bean, with green spots, and seemed confused.
"On three," James told them. "One…two….THREE!"
All four of them popped the jellybeans into their mouths. Daphne chewed for a bit and suddenly realized it felt like she was chewing on dirt.
"What is this?" She asked spitting it out. The grainy texture remained in her mouth, even after the jelly bean was gone.
"Dirt?" James questioned.
"Yes!" She replied surprised that he knew.
"I got vomit," he said swallowing the remains of his bean with much difficulty.
"Eeewwwww!" Jasmine stood up, a horrified look on her face.
"It tastes like fish!" She spit it out as well.
"Sardine," James stated while laughing. Daphne laughed as well. The look on Jasmine's face had been priceless. All three of them turned to Sirius. He was still chewing, an odd look coming to his face, he swallowed.
"Rotten egg, that's a first," he shuddered.
"Gross," Daphne replied. "What are these?"
"Bertie Bott's every flavor bean," James stated, shaking the bag in his hands.
"I knew it!" Jasmine exclaimed. "The bag looked awfully suspicious."
Sirius grinned. "Shall we go again?"
"No way," Daphne replied shaking her head.
Jasmine checked the silver watch on her wrist.
"I think we're almost at the castle." She hurried to the window. It revealed the dark night outside. "That was a fun game."
"To bad you didn't come any sooner. James would have driven you crazy with his quidditch talk," Sirius informed her.
James pointed an accusing finger at Daphne. "She wanted to know the basics."
"This is true," Daphne admitted. "Why don't you just stay here then?" She asked Jasmine. Nothing against boys, but Daphne would like to have a girl friend at her new school too.
Jasmine was tempted.
"Can't," she said looking down at her muggle clothes. "I need to change into my robes."
"Don't let us stop you," Sirius commented devilishly.
"You need to change too," Jasmine indicated at Daphne. "Why don't you come with me?"
Daphne agreed and grabbed her uniform out from her trunk. She had completely forgotten that they had to be in uniform at school. At her previous school, she had worn uniforms too, so it was no surprise Hogwarts had a dress code as well. Jasmine guided Daphne to a different cabin. It was the one Jasmine had gone into earlier, the one filled with girls buzzing excitedly about school. Now they were all in their uniforms and passing Jasmine's cat around. The cat seemed to be greatly enjoying all of the attention.
"There you are!" Lily said as Jasmine came in. The girl with red shoulder length red hair was already in the standard uniform. White button up shirt tucked into a gray knee length skirt, with a gray long sleeved sweater, black buckled shoes, and a black robe.
Jasmine introduced Daphne to her cousin. Lily stuck her hand out.
"Lily Evans and this is Thelma Tobey." She pointed to the girl standing beside her. Daphne took their hands and recognized Thelma as the blonde who had been crying on the platform.
"Are you new too?" Lily questioned right away, suddenly seeming very nervous.
"Daphne's a muggle born too Lily, like you," Jasmine informed the girls.
At once, Lily relaxed a bit more. She was obviously grateful that she was not the only one coming to Hogwarts with no background in magic. As Daphne talked to the girls, she discovered Lily's parents were as supportive as her own, but Lily's sister was another story. It seemed to make Lily very sad to have left her sister behind.
Daphne also found out Jasmine was a halfblood, who had been raised mainly by her mother, a witch, after her parents split up. Her father was a muggle and worked as a police officer in Oxford. He was so busy that Jasmine rarely saw him. Though their mothers were sisters, Jasmine and Lily admitted their mothers did not get along too well. They only had one thing in common, a love of gossip. Like Daphne, both girls had gone to normal muggle schools up until now. Only Jasmine had recently been allowed a magic tutor this past summer to help her ease into going to Hogwarts. When Daphne inquired what house they wanted to get into, only Jasmine knew.
"Ravenclaw," she admitted happily, as if she had dreamed of the day she could study with the brightest witches and wizards. She was also really anticipating the library that apparently held a large variety of books about magic. Jasmine couldn't wait to get her hands on some of those.
"We better get ready," she reminded Daphne, after letting out a little excited clap.
A few minutes later, Daphne was walking down the train with her normal clothes folded in her arms. She would not need them at school. She was now in her uniform and hundreds of miles away from the normal life she had had before.
A voice began speaking over the train.
"Attention students, we will be arriving at Hogsmeade Station shortly. Please leave your belongings on the train, they will be taken seperately."
As the train appeared to slow down slightly, Daphne stopped in front of the cabin and knocked.
"Yeah?" James' muffled voice called out.
"It's me!" She replied shyly, hoping they didn't forget about her already.
"Come-on in," came the reply.
Daphne did.
"Oh my…" she turned around embarrassed, covering her eyes. "I'm so sorry."
Sirius pulled on a pair of black pants, completely unembarrassed.
"You could've told me you weren't done," Daphne said feeling her cheeks burn red. "I'm so sorry."
"We were almost done," Sirius responded as Jasmine entered the same way Daphne had.
"Whoa!" She said covering her eyes too. "Why didn't you tell me you were changing?!"
"You didn't knock," James playfully scolded, as he buttoned up a stiff white shirt.
"I did!" Daphne said waving her arm in the air.
"Are you guys done yet?" Jasmine asked keeping her hand firmly over her eyes..
If Daphne thought they were cute before, she was positive now. Collared shirts suited them, even if neither of them had tucked them in. Jasmine frowned at this, as the train came to a complete stop.
"We're here!" Jasmine said happily, forgetting the untucked shirts.
Leaving their trunks behind, they headed out onto the platform with the rest of the excited students. Everyone was staring up at the hill where their new school was resting. With it's welcoming lights twinkling down at them, Hogwarts was more beautiful than Daphne had expected. It was a large castle with many towers reaching for the dark sky.
"Firs' years over here!" A deep voice boomed over the students. When they followed the voice they found a man twice as tall as any man and five times as wide. Daphne couldn't help staring. The man smiled behind a huge, bushy black beard.
"All right firs' years, I'm Hagrid, Keeper of Keys at Hogwarts. This way!"
They followed the giant man through the darkness, until they came upon a dark lake. A fleet of boats waited for the students at the shore. Once everyone had climbed into them, the boats started moving across the dark lake on their own. They passed through a gate, then went on foot into a large hallway were they waited to enter the feast. They could hear the other students already inside.
Jasmine was squirming in anticipation beside Daphne.
"I wonder what house I'll get."
"Me too," Daphne added as a stern looking witch walked towards the students.
She had on emerald green robes and her black hair was pulled back tightly into a bun.
"Good Evening, first years. You will be following me into the great hall where you will be sorted into your houses. This is a very important ceremony. Do try to look your best." She eyed Sirius' untucked shirt and James' messy hair uncertainly. Daphne tried her best to smooth herself out. She did wish she had read that book now. What exactly happened during a sorting ceremony?
"At Hogwarts your house is very important. You will receive and lose points depending on your conduct here. And at the end of the year, the house with most points will win the honor of the house cup," the professor told the students.
"Now, we are ready for you. This way."
Everyone filed behind her into the room. It was large with four long tables that were already filled with a variety of students. Thousands of candles floated in the air, lighting the room and giving it a warm feeling. However, the most impressive part to Daphne was the ceiling. It seemed to have vanished and been replaced by the night sky outside.
The students began to stop in front near a table that was filled with professors of all shapes and sizes. There was also a stool in the center, with an old patched hat sitting on it. The hat looked just as out of place as Daphne felt. With all the older students staring up at them, Daphne wondered what they would have to do next. Couldn't they just let them sit down already? She was starting to feel sick all over again.
The stern professor stood up front with all of them.
"I will call your names one at a time. Walk up and I will put the hat on your head." She unrolled a long piece of parchment. "Adair, Laley!"
A pale girl with silvery hair walked up to the stool, the hat was placed on her head. It sat there covering her eyes, until a few moments later it yelled out, startling Daphne.
"SLYTHERIN!"
A table to the left gave a loud cheer and the girl walked over as the next few names were called. As Daphne watched Laley take her seat, she decided at once she did not want to be in Slytherin house. Of all the tables, theirs looked like the meanest.
"Barett, Barnabas!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!" A different table went up in a roar.
"Black, Sirius!"
Daphne looked at at her new friend. He winked at them and strolled up to the stool, completely relaxed. Immediately, a few girls to the left began giggling.
"Poor Sirius can't help it." James sighed, as if it was painful to have so many admirers. Everyone waited once the hat was on his head. The Slytherin table was particulalry interested. Daphne could almost see them leaning forward in anticipation.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Yes! Excellent house!" James cheered on his friend. Gryffindor's welcomed him with applause. Only at the far left, the Slytherin table became awfully quiet. They did not appear to be the friendliest bunch at all.
"Dalton, Ilene!"
"RAVENCLAW!"
"Digby, Daniel!" A boy with blonde hair walked up, eyeing the stool like it was going to attack him at any second.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Eustacia, Raelyn!" Daphne saw a small girl with short, choppy black hair walk up to the stool. She didn't eye it, like the boy before her, but instead sat down with a bored expression on her face.
"SLYTHERIN!"
"Evans, Lily!" Smiling nervoulsy, the green eyed girl made her way up.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Excellent!" James applauded with extra enthusiasm.
"It does seem like a good house to be in," Jasmine admitted as Felicity Fenton got sorted.
"Jepson, Hadiee!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
"Lupin, Remus!"
"GRYFFINDOR!"
"Luvinia, Jasmine!"
The girl next to Daphne froze, then quickly walked up to the stool, breathing in and out deeply.
"RAVENCLAW!" The hat called out. Jasmine's face relaxed into an excited smile as she headed straight for her table. Daphne would really like that weight to be lifted off of her shoulders as well.
"Potter, James!" Confidantly smiling at Daphne, he calmly sat on the stool. Daphne was not suprised when it yelled out,"GRYFFINDOR!"
Now Daphne was sure she either wanted to be in Ravenclaw or Gryffindor. She didn't know anyone in the other houses. After what seemed like forever, she finally heard it.
"Rue, Daphne!"
She slowly made her way up, too aware of all the eyes staring at her. Her stomach was doing flips, but she tried her best to remain calm. What if she ended up in Hufflepuff afterall? The hat on her head seemed to be talking, but her nerves drowned out all the sound it was making. Until finally it yelled out.
"GRYFFINDOR!" Daphne let out a sigh of relief and hurried towards the table where Sirius and James had already made room for her.
"Good work Daph," Sirius said patting her on the back.
"If you were a Slytherin, I would have never spoken to you again."
Daphne was sure he was joking, but was grateful she wasn't in Slytherin anyway.
"Simon, Maggie!"
"I'm thinking of trying out for the house team," James said as he ran his hands through his jet black hair. He was talking to Lily, who he managed to sit beside. She seemed more annoyed by him than interested.
"First years aren't allowed on house teams, Potter," Lily bluntly replied as she rolled her eyes.
Sirius' shoulders started shaking as he attempted to hold back his laughter, which he quickly disguised into a cough when James turned. Sirius hit his chest hard to stop his sudden coughing.
"Are you feeling alright mate?" Sirius said turning his, and James', attention to the boy sitting across the table from him. He was just as pale as the boy on the train, and Daphne saw several scars across his face. He was slightly hunched over and his faded uniform was already patched in several places.
"I'm quite alright, thank you," the boy replied in a tired, but friendly voice. Daphne would have guessed he was anything, but fine. He looked like he hadn't had a bite to eat in a week.
"Theo, Nigel!"
"SLYTHERIN!"
"What's your name then?" James asked kindly.
"Remus Lupin," he stated, his light blue eyes looking shocked at the fact that people were speaking to him.
James gave the introductions all around.
"It's good to meet you," Remus replied, finding it hard to look any of them in the eye.
"Tobey, Thelma!"
The boy next to Remus was wringing his hands, eagerly looking at all of them. He was short and round, with little watery eyes and mousey hair. At first glance, Daphne did not like him very much, but she figured she could give him a chance.
"This is Peter Pettigrew," Remus stated indicating the boy. "We met on the train."
"Hheelo," Peter managed to say.
"Snape, Severus!"
"Look who it is," Sirius growled and glared up at the front. Daphne saw the rude, dark haired boy from the train.
"Looks like someone found him or that stupefy wore off," James said.
"I didn't expect it to last forever," Sirius replied sadly.
Daphne watched as the boy walked up to the stool in a twitchy manner. When he sat, she saw that he was glaring nervously around. They all waited.
"SLYTHERIN!" The hat called out.
"You called it," James told to Sirius.
"What's wrong with Slytherin?" Peter asked nervously.
"Most dark wizards came from that house," James explained.
"Including that git." He pointed to the boy, who was making his way to the Slytherin table.
Daphne watched as a fellow Slytherin with blonde hair shook Severus' hand. The last few names on the list were being called up front. Before he sat down, Severus caught Daphne's eye for the second time that day. He sneered at her as he took his place. Looking away, Daphne sighed. It was going to be a long year.
