Hi Readers! I'm back! This is the fourth and final installment into this series which consists of years one, two and five. If you haven't read them, please do although it isn't necessary to understand this fic. It will be forty chapters long and between 40,000 and 55,000 words. Please review, next update in two days!
It was an emotional day. I entered King's Cross station with my mum for the final time. My mum had tears in her cornflower blue eyes as she hugged me tightly to her slender frame. I kissed her cheek, drinking in her appearance which I would not see again until Summer. It was safest at Hogwarts in these troubled times.
"I love you mum", I whispered in her ear.
"Me too sweetheart, write as soon as you get a chance".
"I promise. Keep safe".
"I'll do my best."
My mum was a healer at St. Mungo's. We were quite alike in appearance. We were both of average height, had the same heart shaped face and the same chocolate coloured hair which she wore in a bob and I had down to my waist.
My father had passed away in my second year at Hogwarts. He had been a werewolf and died from injuries sustained from the full moon. Every time I saw my appearance, I was struck by my amber eyes, identical to his. I also bore his sallow skin. It was all I had left of him.
Both of my parents were magical, making me a pureblood. I was considered a 'blood-traitor' by society though and that instantly cancelled out the safety that came with my blood status.
Pushing my thoughts aside, I pushed my trolley which was heavily laden with my trunk and my eagle owl Athena's cage through the not so solid brick wall.
Platform 9¾ hadn't changed. It was one of the few things that hadn't. Wizarding Britain was in a state of crisis. The dark wizard Lord Voldemort was stronger than ever and it was a matter of time before he took charge of the ministry. He had more followers than ever, death eaters, werewolves, giants, dementors and vampires.
The war's effect was illustrated by the strain of the smiles on the parent's faces, premature grey hairs on their heads and wrinkles marring their young faces. No one escaped.
I was shaken out of my thoughts by the sight of the family before me. Charlus Potter was a tall and stately man with a greying mop of black hair and bright blue eyes. His wife Dorea also showed signs of age, her brown hair was streaked with grey and she had wrinkles on her forehead. Her hazel eyes were as kind as ever when they fixated upon me.
"Amy dear, how are you?" She asked kindly, embracing me like a daughter.
"I'm fine thank you Dorea, how is your sister, I was told that she was sick".
Mrs. Potter's eyes saddened.
"She passed away four days ago dear. Not many survive dragon pox at her age."
"I'm so sorry Dorea".
"Don't be silly dear, there was nothing anyone could have done. She died at home as she had wished. James and Sirius are over there with Peter. Here Charlus, make yourself useful and help Amy with her trunk." Dorea said, scolding her husband for his lack of manners.
"Thanks Charlus, goodbye Dorea, I'll write to you", I said, shaking the elderly man's hand.
"Do dear, we'll see you over the Summer".
"Amy!" A voice exclaimed. I was suddenly hoisted off my feet and swirled through the air. My surroundings blurred.
"Sirius, put me down! I'm dizzy!" I protested, feeling slightly queasy. "I swear to Merlin, I'll chop your hair off in your sleep". Needless to say, I was swiftly deposited back to the ground.
Sirius was as breathtakingly handsome as usual. His silky black hair fell into his stunning silver eyes and his grin displayed those perfect white teeth of his. Some people have everything.
"Faolan!" James Potter yelled, diving forward for a greeting hug of his own. Thankfully my feet remained firmly planted on the ground this time. James was referring to my Marauder nickname. In our fifth year, we successfully became animagi. Sirius was Padfoot, a grim-like dog; James was Prongs, a huge stag; Peter was Wormtail, a scurrying rat; I was Faolan, a wolf and Remus was Moony, a werewolf. How much more dysfunctional can you get? James' hair was as messy as usual and his hazel eyes sparkled with mischief that matched his lopsided grin.
"Pete", I welcomed, hugging the smaller boy in turn. Peter was a mousy-haired, chubby boy with watery blue eyes and a serious flatulence problem. The boy was a walking, talking dungbomb, useful for clearing corridors.
"Where's Moony?" James asked.
"Here", came a familiar voice. Remus came into view. He had grown over the Summer and was nearing Sirius' height. His tawny brown hair framed his scarred face. His chocolate eyes were as friendly as ever. And like the past two years, the very sight of him made my heart pound faster.
"Rem!" I squealed, throwing myself into his arms. "How was the full moon?" I whispered.
"Not great without you guys there. I've a new scar on my back", he muttered into my ear. I winced sympathetically and lessened my grip on his back.
"Come on, let's get a compartment before they're all taken", Peter suggested, indicating towards the scarlet red steam engine.
"Prongs has to be a good boy and go to the prefects meeting", Sirius said, as though obedience was a horrible thing that was to be avoided where possible.
"He's head boy, of course he has to go to the prefects meeting", Remus said rolling his eyes.
"At least Evans is head girl, that should liven things up a bit, eh Prongs", Sirius smirked. "That and the fact that you have to share a common room all by yourselves. It's your opportunity to finally get her!"
"It almost makes up for the fact that I have to leave you guys", James sighed, "you have to stay over".
"Don't worry, we will" Peter promised.
"Say hi to Lils for me", I told him as he turned to leave, "and don't be an arrogant prat". James laughed and headed for the prefects carriage. The rest of us found an empty compartment and wasted no time making ourselves at home. Sirius lounged across one seat, squishing poor Peter into the corner. Remus and I sat side by side opposite them.
"I wonder when the food trolley will come", Peter wished aloud, his stomach rumbling. I exchanged an amused look with Moony. Some things never change.