Thorns
The Marauders' Era
Chapter 1: Genesis
"Mummy, I'm scared."
"SEVEN MINUTES UNTIL SEND OFF!"
The loud sound of a train whistle followed the loud declaration by the train conductor on Platform 9 and ¾'s that gray September morning. Families of all ages milled in front of the familiar train that would soon carry new and returning witches and wizards to Hogwarts.
Tessa stared dubiously at the dark red and black train that would take her away to the school her parents went to, and her parents before that, and her parents before that….
"Mummy, what if no one likes me," mumbled Tessa, looking away from the train and down at her black sneakers. "Why didn't Daddy come too?"
"Oh Contessa, you will make friends."
Tessa felt her mother's cool hand under her chin, lifting her face from the ground and up to her mother's fair face. Between her fathers' dark looks, and her mother's fairness, Tessa was somewhere in the middle—medium brown hair, lightly tanned skin dusted lightly with freckles in the summer months, and her mother's deep blue eyes.
Amalia Rosier smiled at her only child. "You will make friends, Contessa," ignoring the slight wrinkle in her daughter's nose when she used her full name. "They'll be such wonderful friends, especially if you're in Slytherin, like your family before you. As for your father…" Amalia's smile faltered briefly. "Your father is away on some important business for a man who does not like to be kept waiting. But I know he wishes he was here on this big day."
The train whistled loudly again, and Amalia pulled her daughter into a tight hug. "Go, Tessa."
"You never call me Tessa."
"I suppose I ought to get used to it, as I'm sure you will come home more adamant than ever to be called 'Tessa' even though 'Contessa' is a perfectly lovely name—"
"If you're an old lady that smells like stale flowers!"
Tessa smiled up at her mom, committing the sound of her melodically laughter to heart before stepping up onto the train.
The train started rolling as Tessa ran to find space at one of the windows so she could wave to her mother, like she saw the other kids do. Passing by several compartments, she heard the door of a compartment slam open as a girl with flaming red hair and a boy with long and rather greasy dark hair quickly leave. Curious, Tessa went to the compartment and noticed two boys still occupying the space.
One boy was standing on a bench seat, with his head out the window waving enthusiastically. Across from him sat a boy with black hair sitting with his arms crossed, staring at the floor.
Taking a breath, Tessa knocked on the door and offered a smile. The boy waving didn't seem to hear her, but the boy sulking looked up.
"I'm sorry, but do you mind if I could stand there to wave to my mum? Everywhere else is full." Tessa raised an eyebrow at the boy—he looked familiar, but she couldn't quite place where she had met him.
The boy with black hair stared at Tessa for a long minute before sighing dramatically, giving Tessa space.
"Er, thanks," said Tessa, crawling up to the space the boy offered. Tessa stuck her head out the window, and smiled as she caught her mom straining over all the other families to find her.
"Mum!"
Amalia's head popped up, as if she heard her daughter's voice clear as a bell, over all the other voices shouting for their parents. Amalia smiled at her daughter. Tears shone in her eyes as her daughter waved happily at her, as if all her fears were forgotten. Amalia mouthed the words "I love you," to her daughter and blew her a kiss, watching until she could no longer see the train.
x
Platform 9 and ¾'s was well out of sight by the time Tessa pulled back from the window, plopping down on the bench seat.
"I thought someone hexed you and you turned into a statue," said the boy with messy black hair sitting across from her as a way of greeting. "I'm James Potter."
Tessa smiled sheepishly and took the hand he offered her. "Tessa Rosier."
"Rosier, I remember you now!"
Tessa looked at the boy sitting next to her, his dark eyes seemed to recognize her immediately, and something shifted. He seemed to look at her as though she were a creature to be careful around.
"And you are…" Tessa asked in a cool voice, hoping she mimicked her mother.
"Sirius Black," the boy answered carefully. "We met at—"
"The wedding at the beginning of summer!" Tessa quickly answered, remembering a sulky boy in a black suit. Tessa relaxed slightly as she had managed to find one familiar face. It also helped that Sirius was a Black—and as far as she knew, Blacks were always in Slytherin, just like her family.
"My cousin's wedding, Bellatrix Lestrange," said Sirius, not bothering to hide the disdain in his voice.
"I think my dad is distantly related, something about a third or fourth cousin," said Tessa. "I've never met Bellatrix, but I think she's beautiful."
"As beautiful as anything without a soul could be," answered Sirius. "She's vile."
"As we were saying," James interjected into the rising tension in the compartment. He smiled kindly at Tessa. "What house do you think you want to be in?"
"Oh er," Tessa tore her eyes away from Sirius. "Slytherin, I suppose. That's where my family has always been sorted in to…what?" Tessa glared at Sirius' snort next to her. She had hardly talked to the boy, but he was quickly getting on her nerves.
"Slytherin is where the dark witches and wizards go, and besides, they're all cowards," said Sirius.
"Where do you want to be sorted in, then," asked Tessa. "Let's have it."
"Gryffindor," Sirus answered without hesitation. "Where the bravest wizards come from."
"And perhaps the stupidest." Tessa rolled her eyes.
"Do you want to be in Slytherin only because of your family, or because you like that house," asked James, clearly miffed by Tessa's opinion of Gryffindor as well.
"Slytherins have always been leaders," answered Tessa. "There's nothing wrong with being a leader. And they're not cowards! They just don't look for death like Gryffindos do."
"That's half the fun," said Sirius with a wicked smile. He smiled as though he had some sort of secret plan, and in spite of how annoying she found him, Tessa wanted to be part of the secret too.
"What happens if you're sorted into Slytherin," asked Tessa, feeling better as Sirius seemed to pale at the thought. "Your whole family is from Slytherin."
"Then I'll be the first not to be," said Sirius, his dark eyes meeting Tessa's blue orbs without hesitation. "Unlike you, I think for myself."
"Sirius," James said in warning; that was too far to go with a girl.
"Of course I think for myself, you arrogant toad," Tessa shot back, her face growing red.
James chuckled watching the argument unfold before him.
"What are you laughing at," Tessa glowered.
"You both are ridiculous," said James, laughing a little louder. "Tessa, you sound like the boy with greasy hair who insisted that Slytherin was better, and Sirius, you are a bit of an arse."
"You're the arse," Sirius shot back, hiding a smile.
Tessa rolled her eyes at James and Sirius before looking out the window at the rolling green hills the train sped by as the boys' chatter became background noise. She mulled over Sirius' insult. Of course she thought for herself, how dare say she didn't think for herself. Tessa snuck a peek at Sirius who ignored just as the food trolley passed by and he and James became enthralled by sweets. Secretly Tessa hoped Sirius would be sorted into Slytherin so she could mock him.
X
"Firs' years! Firs' years this way!"
Tessa followed the latern of a very tall man with a big beard who identified himself as Hagrid. All first year students chattered and followed Hagrid to boats that seemed to be enchanted to row on their own. Quickly, the chatter hushed into silence as the children climbed into the boats.
Tessa followed James and Sirius to the end of the dock where a boat stopped in front of them. Sirius hopped in first, the boat swaying on the water beneath the sudden movement, and extended his hand to Tessa, noticing her hesitate at the enchanted transportation.
"Scared, Rosier?"
"Not even," answered Tessa, hoping he didn't hear the shake in her voice. Taking his hand, Tessa took a breath before stepping down into the boat. She gasped a little as the boat rocked under her feet, but quickly settled.
She smiled at Sirius, extracting her hand. "Thanks."
Sirius nodded at her, but seemed not to hear her as he looked to the docks. James had slid in easily beside her at the back of the boat, and standing was the girl with red hair and the boy with straggly black hair. James extended a hand to help her down, and the girl simply rolled her eyes and ignored him, independently getting into the boat with her friend close behind her and sat at the front of the boat. Two more students stepped onto the boat, and finally the boat began to glide across the water.
Moments of silence passed students held their breath that night on the dark lake. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, lights came into view and Tessa's breath caught in her chest as she felt her knees tremble.
"There it is," James whispered conspiratorially.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Tessa.
X
"Sirius Black!"
Tessa watched as Sirius strode forward, called upon to don the Sorting Hat in the Great Hall.
A hush fell over the crowd as the hat was placed on Sirius' head. Almost immediately, the hat declared "GRYFFINDOR!"
Applause erupted from Gryffindor's table as Sirius beamed and joined the table under red and gold banners. Tessa's heart sank as she clapped without enthusiasm.
"Lily Evans!"
Tessa watched as the redheaded girl beside her started at hearing her name called. Briefly the girls made eye contact and Tessa offered her a smile as if to wish her luck.
Silently, Tessa watched as Lily and then James were sorted into Gryffindor. Tessa felt her heart begin to pound harder as the people she had met all go to the house she didn't favor. Finally, after several more names…
"Contessa Rosier!"
The hush fell over the crowd once more, though in the silence Tessa swore she heart Sirius snort at her name. She would get him later.
Raising her chin, just like she saw her mother do many times before, Tessa strode forward with confidence to the Hat.
Sitting on the stool, Minerva McGonagall placed the Sorting at over Tessa's wavy dark brown hair. For a moment it was silent.
"Contessa Rosier…"
Tessa started, realizing the voice was coming from the Sorting Hat that had sounded in her mind.
"I prefer Tessa," Tessa answered back with her mind.
"Tessa, hmmm," the Sorting Hat responded. "Another Rosier. I know your family very well. You possess the same determination your ancestors had before you. A sharp mind I see—oh how interesting…."
"What is it," asked Tessa, beginning to fidget.
"Your mind has many interesting layers, Contessa Roiser, and I see things that make you a great leader, and your heart is very brave, very much like a Gryffindor."
"I don't think I'm a Gryffindor."
"No? Hmmm, very curious. I see a lot of potential in you, Contessa Rosier, and a very curious power about you. You will be a most interesting witch, and very fit for…"
Tessa held her breath.
"SLYTHERIN!"
Cheers echoed through the Great Hall as Tessa smiled, joining the silver and green table, choosing to sit near a group of girls who shook her hand. From where she sat, Tessa could see James, Lily, and Sirius, and Tessa's smile faltered.
She knew she had friends in James and Sirius, and she feared the rivalry between their houses would destroy it.
James offered her a smile before he turned his attention to Lily. Lily smiled at Tessa too, especially as Severus Snape, the boy who followed her, sat next to Tessa at Slytherin's table.
But it was Sirius who Tessa watched.
Sirius' dark grey eyes watched her, his lips turned up into a slight smirk, as if proving to her that he was not a Slytherin.
Tessa waved to him and was pleased to see Sirius wave back.
X
Sirius didn't think he could eat another bite of custard, and soon he found himself ready for bed. The excitement of being the only one in his family, ever, to be in Gryffindor had exhausted him.
"Are you sad," asked James around a mouthful of pie.
"About what?"
"You keep on looking at her. You still think you want to be a Gryffindor?"
Sirius snorted, hiding the sheepish feeling that crept over him. Once more, Sirius stole a glance at the Slytherin table. Tessa and Severus had struck up a conversation and he frowned as Tessa made Severus laugh. He watched as Tessa tucked her wavy dark brown hair behind her ear and thought of the way her blue eyes brightened with anger at him on the train earlier that day when he insulted her. Sirius realized that Tessa almost reminded him of his foul cousin Bellatrix—her eyes held a regal and heavy-lidded expression that demanded respect, but unlike his cousin, Tessa smiled honest. And she was cute.
As though she could hear him, Tessa looked up to see Sirius looking at her. Tessa stuck her tongue out at him, before continuing her conversation with Severus. Sirius chuckled.
"No James," said Sirius. "I'd rather be in Gryffindor than a house that would accept that greasy haired friend of Lily's. It would have been nice to have Rosier here though, but I guess Slytherin will need her for some shred of dignity, especially after they took Snivellus."
James snorted at his friend's joke, not noticing Lily's indignant glare.
Author's Note: A fun and creative outlet to:
a. be creative during grad school
b. share my love for Harry Potter
c. Cope with being sorted into Slytherin.
I love your feedback!
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