Yay! I've had this idea in my head for a fic for about a week now, and I finally decided to write it. I'm rating it M for language mostly, it's just for safety. It's a James S. Potter & O.C fic. So yea. Please review! And as a blanket disclaimer, these lovely characters are J.K Rowling. By the way, I will go back and proof read this tomorrow. It is late and I wanted to get this up. So please excuse any mistakes for the time being!

"Artemis, you're going to be great one day I bet," She beamed at her brother's comment, a wide set grin full of bright shinning pearly teeth. That was just about the greatest thing she had ever heard, compliments were rare from her twin, and something of that degree was just unheard of.

"Thanks Apollo, that really means a lot to me," The girl blushed, a light rose color spread lightly and evenly across her cheeks. The twins currently were residing high up in the air, though only thing separating them from their death was a narrow strip of wood with twigs fastened at the end, otherwise known as a Nimbus 2000, a hand-me-down from their father's Quidditch age.

"Artie fartie, bo barite Artie!" Her older brother called to her from the ground, his arms flailing in an attempt to catch her attention. He was hard to miss, even at the age of twelve the boy was a tower, muscles beginning to form on the slender frame. "My little Quidditch star get your arse down here!"

The boy was scolded for his language, their parents were attempting to keep their children developing a bad case of sailor mouth. However, the boy had just finished his first year at the famous Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry and he wasn't around the greatest influences. Still, he apologized profusely, correcting himself with a quick "rear-end" And embraced Artemis, who had just landed, in a tight hug.

"Hermes, this is the sixth time you've hugged me since you got home this afternoon!" The girl squealed, secretly pleased with her brother's affection. And yes, the siblings were all named after the great deities in Greek mythology, their mother insisting it was appropriate when Hermes first popped out of the womb.

"Artie bart, I haven't seen you in so long though! Can't I miss my favorite sibling?" Artemis giggled again, however, two other voices seemed rather upset by the statement and both shouted a defiant "Hey!" The first voice was none other than Artemis's twin, Apollo. The second was the youngest of the bunch, a small six year old boy bearing the name Ares. The child lived up to his namesake despite his young age and small stature, he was just as fiery and hot-tempered as the war-god.

"You're a loon Hermie, that's what you are!" Artemis taunted him, hoping on her broom once more and taking to the sky. Hermes shouted after her, pouting when he realized he had failed to grab his own broom from the shed and now he had no means of chasing after her. Artemis laughed raucously

"Hurry up Hermes; you've got to practice Quidditch with me!" Artemis called impatiently, gracefully doing barrel rolls in the air as she awaited her brother. He came minutes later, out of breath from running.

"Relax Artie, you've got three years until they'll let you on the team," Hermes rolled his eyes dramatically, however he smiled at his little sister.

"That's a silly rule. Didn't Harry Potter make the team his first year? I'm going to do that too!" The way that girl said it there was no room for disagreement, she was brimming with confidence and spirit. Knowing the way Artemis worked, Hermes didn't have a doubt his sister would do all she could to achieve such a goal.

"Don't worry little Artie, you are going to make it far."

Thump.

Thump.

"Artemis, honey,"

Thump.

"Cormac, is something wrong?"

Thump.

"Artemis!"

I peeled my eyes open, slowly at first, reeling back as the light poured into my vision. I took a moment to allow my eyes to adjust to the lighting before I glanced at my surroundings. I knew where I was, I've been in exactly the same position since—I glanced at my watch—three minutes ago. I was staring straight into a solid brick pillar, hoards of people wandering aimlessly around me. The incessant buzz of chatter swarmed back into my hearing, previously ignored by my concentrated thought process.

I gulped, the pillar still looming over me, reminding me every second of what I was about to face.

"Artemis, honey, you're going to be fine," I turned to look at my mother, who was giving me a nervous smile. I couldn't smile in return. I wanted to, to ease her mind that has been worrying about me every since—ever since a month ago. But I couldn't, not with my mind still plagued with the event; my mind still dwelling on what was to come.

"Mum… I—" Tears were starting to brim in my eyes, the space around me seemed to be closing in. I took a step away from the brick pillar, my head shaking as I went. However, hands clasped around my forearm before I could move any farther, my efforts to escape thwarted by my thick brother. I shuddered, too tried and too weak to thrash from his grip. I submitted, turning to face Hermes so he could envelop me in a warm hug.

"Don't worry Artie, Apollo will look after you," Somehow I didn't find comfort in those words. I didn't need anyone to look after me. I was fully capable of protecting myself. No, I wanted everything to go back to the way they were before the summer, I wanted my life back.

Hermes gingerly pushed me from himself as he met my eyes. However, immediately, his eyes were drawn to the long scars consuming a face. My face.

Werewolf scratches, although they weren't exactly scratches on my skin when the incident occurred. The beast caused long gashes beginning above my left eye and sweeping across my face to the right side of my chin. Though unfortunately that wasn't all. He had managed to maul my entire right arm, leaving it barely intact, the muscle ravaged and ripped.

When we heard the news I hadn't been bitten they was no room left inside my mind for emotions of relief.

The emergency healers at St. Mungos had been skilled enough to piece back my arm, make it look as though it was fully functional again. Though I knew better. Dozens upon dozens of scars reminded me of that. "Werewolf attacks can't be fully healed" they had said. "Even magic can't completely fix it" they said. The result was that I would never again be able to lift my arm above my head, and I would never have the ability to lift objects heavier than ten pounds.

Unfortunately for me that meant an end to my successful Quidditch career.

I had been named Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Just days before my "accident" I had been in hysterics, although the good kind. We had celebrated, our family of six focused solely on me for one glorious evening where we feasted and dined on all of my favorite foods. It was euphoria, and it was also icing on the cake that I had managed to best James Potter for once in my life.

My achievement had been ripped from me, however, with a simple letter stating that based on the latest events "I was no longer in the condition to manage a Quidditch team, let alone play." I was going to be a star, I was going to play on the Puddlemere United, I was going to be the beater of the century.

And now I was just Artemis McLaggen, completely and utterly lost without a clue as to what she was going to do with the rest of her life.

I had planned my life around Quidditch; I had dedicated every fiber of my being to my goals for Quidditch. And now that it was all gone, what was I supposed to do?

Thump.

"Cormac, she's gone again!"

Thump.

"Dad, get help!"

Thump.

"Artemis, please answer me!"

My eyes had only glazed over this time, adjusting to the light deemed unnecessary. I came back into terms with the real world again all the same, my bright green eyes blinking and taking in my surroundings. No brick wall this time, only my handsome brother with a worried expression painted on his features.

"No more Artemis, we've got to get on the train," It was Apollo speaking this time; I caught sight of his towering over Hermes. Unfortunately height runs rampant in my family, Hermes tops of at 6'2, taller than a great deal of the Hogwarts population. Apollo, though, somehow managed to make it to 6'6, looking like a monster with his defined muscles. Luckily, the gene somewhat skipped me, so I am almost even with my mother at 5'7.

I turned back to face my terror, the large looming brick barrier in which many people have passed through since I had been standing here. I looked back toward my family, all giving me an encouraging nod, before I tenderly clutched my now crippled arm and stepped through the magical barrier onto platform 9 ¾.

The world didn't implode; thank Merlin, when I stepped on the other side. My heart was still racing a mile a minute, however, hoping I wouldn't catch the eye of people I was familiar with at Hogwarts. I didn't want anyone's sympathy, I knew for a fact all I would hear from anyone who saw me was that they "felt so bad about what happened to me" and that I should "ask if I ever need anything". All I wanted was to move on, knowing the my first choice of erasing time was deemed impossible when the newest Minister of Magic saw it fit to destroy all of the time turners. Bloody git he is. I knew I would inevitably have to listen to people sympathize with me for the next week or so, until people finally got used to seeing my newly wretched face walking around the school.

My family made their way onto the platform behind me, quickly too, perhaps to make sure I hadn't gone running off to hide. I wasn't that much of a coward, and I had hoped they would know that too. However, Hermes grinned a little too widely when he caught sight of me waiting patiently for the rest of the McLaggen clan to make their way over.

"Ready Artie?" He tried to be comforting, which was nice of him, I suppose. I would rather have people treat me completely the same so I wouldn't be reminded of my bleak-looking and Quidditch free future. However, I do suppose I deserved this treatment after my scene before we got to the platform.

My nerves were beginning to cool, thank Merlin, I believe the sight of the train made me realize I couldn't run from anything, that it was best to get things over with. The sight of the train also reminded me that I inevitably had to face my worst fear of all.

James Sirius Potter.

I actually groaned—out loud—at the thought of Potter seeing me. He'd beat me when I was down; I just knew he would, gloating about his newly appointed Quidditch Captain title. I knew he got it, the headmistress unfortunately told me in her letter relieving me of my duties.

I received a few bemused looks after my outburst although I shrugged them off, beginning to say good-byes to my worried family. My mother gave me a soft look, her eyes almost brimming over with tears. She embraced me, tightly wrapping her arms around me while planting a quick kiss to the top of my head. My father, on the other hand, gave me a warm smile, telling me to make sure I made this year special, as it was my last. I finally came to Hermes, the only sibling to have graduated. Two years my senior, he had made his dream of playing for Puddlemere come true. It was a shame I was no longer able to join him.

"Come here Artie," His hug was the best of all. Famous for his bear hugs, Hermes picked my off my two feet as I snuggled my head into the crook of his neck, laughing as he tried to squeeze the air out of me. Why was this hug the greatest, you ask? Because Hermes could read me, better than my own twin. He knew I wasn't looking for reassuring smiles and worried looks. He knew I wanted things to be just as they were before. All the while, however, he managed to delicately avoid squeezing my crippled right arm.

He was grinning when he set me back down, his hand lifted to ruffle my hair. "What am I to do without my favorite sibling for the rest of the year?"

Cue the "Hey!" from Apollo and Ares, and cue the enormous smile from myself.

"You're going to just have to die from the separation," I winked, before giving a parting wave.

"I'll miss you guys—and yes mum, I'll send you a letter tonight," She smiled back at me, hugged me one more time, before pulling Hermes and my dad away from Apollo, Ares, and I.

My two brothers left me quickly, Ares looking for his fellow fifth years and Apollo looking for his housemates. Despite our shared birthday, we didn't share a personality; Apollo was sorted into Hufflepuff during our first year. It was much to our father's dismay; however, he soon overcame it, commending Apollo on being the only McLaggen in years to escape the Gryffindor house. I think he meant it in a good way.

I made my way toward the entrance of the train, a small backpack slung over my left shoulder, my eyes scanning the crowd for a mixture of people. My two best mates being the first ones, of course, one by the name of Tuesday Jones, a muggleborn with the most peculiar name out there, besting even mine, and the other being Tycho Wood, an unlikely match. He was everything I was, stubborn, persistent, and temperamental, and most people expected us to be sworn enemies. We somehow hit it off in second year when we both made the position of beater on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. And ever since, the position of sworn enemy has been rightfully reserved for one mister James Potter.

Merlin, that boy was irritating. With the attention span and personality of a five year old, the prat tried to get under my skin on a daily basis. "Hey Laggy McLaggen, why does it look like you are constipated?" He actually asked me that once in fourth year. It was absolutely horrifying, considering it was in front of the entire great hall. Afterwards he and Fred Weasley started to loudly snigger, catching the attention of anyone who didn't hear his outburst in the first place. If I remember correctly Apollo, Hermes, and Tycho put him in his place for me.

Men.

"Laggy McLaggen, have I got news for you," Was that-? Was that in my head or was James Potter actually standing behind me? I cringed, praying to Merlin almighty that it was not in fact James Potter standing behind me but simply a figment of my imagination. I slowly turned, attempting to prepare myself for what I may or may not see. However, I still wasn't prepared to see James's goofy lopsided grin practically slapping me in the face. Figuratively of course. And I also wasn't prepared to see that stupid grin disappear within a moment, replaced with a look of concern.

"So it's true…?" James began to cautiously raise a hand as though to trace the marks on my face, entranced by the gleaming scars. Disgusted, I slapped his hand away, scoffing. My eyebrows were knitted together, making my distaste known.

"No shit Sherlock, who would be moronic enough to start a rumor like that?" I spat the words at him, my blood already beginning to boil. I wasn't in the mood for this, I hoped Merlin was still on my side, and that he would send Tycho or Tuesday to rescue me. Alas, no help seemed to come. I began to push myself past James and onto the train, although he caught my arm.

"Listen James, I'm not in the mood for your gloating. You got Quidditch Captain. Congratu-fucking-lations," I ripped my arm from his grasp though he easily slid his slender frame past me to block my way.

"James," I was about ready to bite his head off. I turned back to the platform to see that most kids had boarded the train, and that my mates were no where in sight.

"I wasn't going to gloat," I turned around to see a beaten looking face, one with knitted eyebrows and is eyes fixated on the floor.

"That's a shocker," My words were dripping with sarcasm. I managed to squeeze my way past James again and this time he didn't stop me, allowing me to be on my way without any parting words.

I made my way through the corridors of the train, pausing momentarily to glance inside each cabin looking for my two mates. It figures they were no where to be found. It wasn't until I was near the end of the train when I spotted a dark-haired, tall, thick figure paying for a dozen chocolate frogs, bought from the candy lady.

"Tycho!" He turned at the sound of his name, smiling with a wide grin when he caught sight of me. I quickly made my way until I was a few feet in front of him, which is when he closed the distance to wrap me into a tight hug. Now, let me describe one of my very best friends. He's tall, much like my brothers, although much thicker set, with wide broad shoulders and thick forearms to match. Let me remind you, he's a skilled beater, better with a club than almost all the other beaters combined. His hair is dark—nearly black, and well kept, trimmed though not considered tight. His most striking feature, and sometimes his most intimidating, is his eyes. Although bright blue, they always are hard, intimidating, serious. When you get to know the bloke, Tycho can be one of the softest guys you know.

"Hey Artie bart!" I rolled my eyes, Tycho talked to my brothers too much. However, considering he was Apollo's roommate and Hermes's ex-teammate, it was to be understood. I was glad to see him, though. He was one of the few in the school who saw me over the summer, he already been introduced to my new face. To him, I was already the same old Artemis. Now it was just time to wait for everyone else to get on the same page.

"Come on Artie bart, let's go find Tuesday."

Yay! Sorry for my terrible name choices. Haha. But I hope you liked it! And as always, I'd love to hear your thoughts!