Ok so this is my rewrite of my earlier HP fic "Godmother" where we were introduced to the character of Harry's godmother and Sirius' ex-girlfriend. Well we are being reintroduced (YAY) as I felt it was probably time to redo it J*throws confetti* I hope we all enjoy it :D
The Marauders, Year One: Chapter 1 –
"Darling, are you ok?"
Evanna looked at her mum and shrugged quietly. She was absolutely terrified. The bustle of Kings Cross Station was enough to set any eleven year old on edge, but for the young witch going on her first ever trip to her new school, it was ten times worse. Cassandra Silvers looked down at her eldest daughter, who was now playing with her long curls. She crouched down to her height, her cloak piling on the ground around her. She placed a gentle hand on her arm.
"Hey it'll be ok, you'll see. I remember my first year at Hogwarts, I had so much fun and so will you."
"I WANNA GO!"
Juliette, her younger sister, stamped her foot and folded her arms pouting dramatically. Evanna shot her a small glare.
"You can go instead! I don't want to!"
"BUT BUT!"
"Girls, come on now or Evanna will miss the train."
Cassandra took her daughters' hands and together all three of them ran through the barrier. A loud whoosh filled Evan's ears and suddenly, she was on Platform 9 ¾. Witches and Wizards shoved and pushed past, desperate to get their children onto the bright, red steam engine waiting to depart from the station. The eleven year old's jaw dropped a little and her brown eyes widened in awe.
"Wow…look Sultan!"
She shoogled the cage, where her large ginger tomcat was sleeping. The cat opened an eye and yawned, before closing it again, uncaring. The sand-clogged feeling in her throat seemed to fade as she got closer to the train and the little girl watched as girls and boys her age, and older, all sat in the seats by the windows. Juliette was also gazing around at everyone, marvelling how they all towered above her eight year old self. Their mum opened a door and smiled at the elderly guard.
"Hello Bernie!"
The old wizard smiled back.
"Ah, Cassandra Silvers, it's been a while since you were on the Express."
"I'm not, just dropping off my daughter Evanna. It's her first year."
She stroked her daughter's hair fondly.
"Girls this is Bernie Shickwell, he was the guard on the train when I was your age."
The wizard; Bernie, tipped his hat and smiled in a friendly manner. Juliette beamed back and Evan lowered her eyes shyly.
"Hello."
"Now young miss, shall we be finding you a seat on the train? I've already had to help out a few people already, lots of new faces for you to meet."
Evanna looked at her mum, who smiled encouragingly. Cassandra handed her daughter, Sultan's cage and then gave her a little shove towards the train.
"Go on."
"But-"
"You'll be ok."
Her little sister hugged her tightly.
"'M gonna miss you! ...WRITE EVERYDAY!"
"I will!"
"Promise?"
"Cross my heart."
Then her mum hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek. Evanna clung onto her cloak that little bit tighter as she pulled away.
"See you soon, love."
"Ok…b-bye Mum."
"We love you."
"Love you too."
Cassandra kissed her head a couple more times, then pushed Evan towards the train. She waved and then climbed onto the train. Her luggage and trolley had been whisked off to be put with the others, so she just had to follow Bernie. They walked, outside her mum and sister following after, until they came to a nearly empty compartment, bar one little red-headed girl.
"Here we are…this should be just grand for you."
"Thank you."
She may've been nervous, but she never forgot her manners. Bernie nodded and then waved to her mum, who was standing outside. Another, red-haired lady was standing next to her, and she waved to the little girl who was sat with a book in her lap. As Evan sat down, the girl looked over to her and smiled brightly. She placed Sultan's cage down next to her, the cat within it still snoring quietly.
"Hello."
"Hi."
"My name's Lily. Lily Evans."
Lily smiled, pushing some of her hair behind her ear. She offered out her hand towards Evanna. The other girl took it and shook it timidly.
"Evan. Evan Silvers."
"That's so weird, your first name is Evan and my last name is Evans!"
"Yeah, that's magic!"
She gave Lily a small smile, confidence rising.
"Are you a first year?"
"Yeah…"
"Me too!"
"Really?"
"Yes…I am really nervous. I had never heard of Hogwarts up until a month ago when a lady came round to give me my letter."
Evanna frowned a little.
"So your parents are Muggles?"
"Yes, but they don't mind. They think that it's great having a witch in the family, although my big sister wasn't happy."
"My little sister hid my letter from me for a week, because she didn't want me to go."
They both giggled.
"Really?"
"Yeah!"
"Awwww! Is that her out there?"
Lily pointed out the window to where Cassandra stood, holding Juliette's hand, talking to the other lady.
"Yeah, that's Juliette. Is that your mum?"
"Yes…she was really worried about getting through the barrier. She didn't want to get the wrong one!"
Evanna felt her confidence grow as she and Lily chatted. At least there would be one friendly face. Sultan, now finally waking up, meowed as the guard blew the whistle. Lily's eyes widened and lit up when she saw the cat.
"Oh is he yours?"
"This is Sultan."
She opened the cage and the fat cat clambered out, stretching lazily. Lily jumped over next to her and stroked his head.
"He is gorgeous! I wish I had a cat, but my dad is allergic."
"Well you can cuddle him all you want. He loves being cuddled."
"Thank you!"
Lily rubbed her finger under his chin and Sultan purred, happily curling up next to her. Neither of the girls had noticed the train pulling away from the station, nor their mothers waving goodbye. There was a knock on the door, which interrupted their general chatter of what Hogwarts would be like, and a dark-haired boy poked his head in and smiled.
"Hello, Lily."
"Severus! Come in. Evan this is my friend Severus. Severus this is my new friend Evan."
The boy held out a thin, pale hand with a gentle grin. Evan smiled back and took his hand, shaking it more firmly than she had done with Lily.
"Nice to meet you, Evan…or is it Evanna?"
"Evan…my mum was being stupid calling me Evanna!"
The boy chuckled.
"My name is Severus Snape. Pleasure."
"Same to you, Severus."
Severus smiled and then sat on the opposite chair, but not before giving Sultan a quick pat on the head.
"He's a handsome cat."
Sultan mrowed loudly and tilted his head. Lily giggled as the fat cat sat on her knee and then curled up.
"I think that was cat for thanks."
The trio chuckled and then looked out the window. The landscape was rolling by quickly, trees were a blur, but there appeared to be a long river always rushing past. Severus turned his head and looked at the two girls.
"So, what were you talking about?"
"Oh, me and Lily were just wondering what Hogwarts was gonna be like."
"Amazing, I'd reckon."
Lily grinned and nodded.
"That's what I said! Mum and Dad asked me to tell them all about it in my letters."
"What houses do you think we'll be in?"
Lily frowned a little and Severus pondered over the question.
"I don't know…I would like to, maybe, be in Gryffindor."
Evanna beamed.
"Me too! My mum was in Gryffindor, my dad was in Ravenclaw…but I'd rather be in Gryffindor, I like red better than blue."
"I think, perhaps, I would like Slytherin, like my mother."
Lily looked at her two friends.
"Slytherin is the one with the snake?"
"Yes!"
"Uh-huh."
The new friends once again began aimless nattering, with Hogwarts and magic being the general topic. It was only when Lily squealed in utter excitement and began pointing, that they turned their attentions to the window.
"IT'S THERE! THE CASTLE! OH MY GOD!"
All of them peered out and gawked in wonder.
"It's beautiful."
"Wow!"
Severus grinned widely and jumped onto the seat to grab his bundle of robes. He ran to the door of the compartment and slid it open.
"Let's get changed into our robes!"
"Ok."
"Yeah!"
The two girls split off from the boy and went to change in the bathrooms. Evanna looked at her reflection in the mirror as she straightened her black tie. Her cloak nearly touched the floor and her skirt to her knees. She rolled up the sleeves of her cloak and cardigan, before tying her hair back into a scruffy-looking ponytail. Lily came out the toilet, attempting to tie her own tie.
"Here let me help!"
"Thanks, Evan."
They regrouped with Severus and started walking towards the doors, because the train was beginning to draw slowly into the station. Feeling more excited than she had ever in her life, Evan let out a squeal and shook the dark-haired boys arm wildly.
"EEK! I AM SO EXCITED!"
A few other excited first years chattered their agreements and even more students began piling towards the train's exits. In the excitement and bustle, the doors were pushed open and Evanna and Lily felt themselves falling through the air, towards the stone platform. The girls landed on it with an oomph. They looked up when they heard loud laughter coming from in front of them. Both saw four pairs of pairs of shoes, attached to four sets of leg, and on four very odd looking boys.
The first was lanky, with a mop of dark hair and round glasses perched on his nose. His brand new uniform was already tattered around the hems and a quirky grin on his face. The second had a long mass of black curls, tumbling over his black eyes. He was slightly taller than the first boy and a little bit skinnier, his robes sagging a little; almost like they were hand-me-downs. The third boy was taller, almost a whole head above his friends, with robes that were too small for his thin frame and a book clasped in one hand. And the fourth was squat, shorter than the others, and quite plump. His face was podgy and tie seemed to be that little bit too tight around his fat neck.
"Well that's an entrance!"
The boy with glasses laughed, as Lily helped Evan to her feet. The other boys chuckled loudly as well. Severus had jumped down from the train and put a hand on Lily's shoulder, his hair falling over his eyes.
"Are you both alright?"
"Yes, Severus."
"Oooh look at that boys, its Snivellus come to give the girlies a hand!"
"I beg your pardon?"
Lily took a step forward and Evanna frowned, but Severus grabbed her arm.
"Don't Lily…"
"You can have it."
The spectacled boy smirked and high-fived the shaggy haired boy who laughed loudly. The podgy boy sniggered, whilst the tall one gave a small cough. Lily glared at them and raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"My pardon, I just gave you it…duh!"
Before this tense conversation could continue a huge, bearded man appeared bearing a lantern.
"First years! Follow me! C'mon first years don't be shy!"
The group of boys walked off and began sniggering to themselves, following after the large man. Evan folded her arms and looked over at her friend.
"Who were they, Severus?"
Severus sighed and shook his head.
"Just some idiots."
Lily looked cross.
"Yes, but who were they?"
He changed the subject quickly before the girls could ask how they knew who he was, to the boats which were floating in the distance. Soon they were all dismounting the boats onto the banks of the castle. The gamekeeper, a Rubeus Hagrid, led them safely into the castle where they were met at the stairs to the Entrance Hall by a stern-faced witch.
She had square glasses perched on the brim of her nose and a large pointed hat tilted to one side. She folded her hands and addressed the now silent group.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, I am Professor McGonagall. Ah, hush now…Now, in a few moments you will pass through these doors and join your classmates, but before you take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Now while you're here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup….all of you will wait here a moment and I will return when we are ready for you."
McGonagall swept away through the large golden doors. As soon as they had closed, a hurried whispering began amongst the new first years. The sound of the doors opening again hushed them all and the professor reappeared. She stepped forward, a scroll between her fingers.
"We're ready for you, now. Follow me."
The large group was led swiftly between two tables. During this time Evan took the opportunity to stare in awe at the Great Hall. Brightly lit candles danced high in the air and the four house tables were lined with older students who whispered as they walked by. Large egg-timers lay empty behind the staff table and the faculty stared down at the arrivals. McGonagall stopped before a stool, which sat in front of the headmaster; Professor Dumbledore, and upon the wooden seat sat the old Sorting Hat.
The headmaster gave a few opening words and warnings, then sat comfortably back down again.
"When I call your name, you will step forward. I will then place the Sorting Hat upon your head and you shall then be sorted into your houses."
The large scroll was unfurled.
"Abbot. Helena."
A blonde girl with freckles, stepped nervously forward. She caught the hem of her robes and tripped up the stairs a little. A few of the boys sniggered, but were quiet once she'd sat on the stool and McGonagall had placed the hat on her head.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
Helena smiled and then ran off to the far table to sit with the applauding Hufflepuffs. McGonagall nodded and then read the next name on the list.
"Black. Sirius."
The long haired, shaggy looking boy from the train station pushed through the middle of the group and swaggered up to the stool. He sat down on it and the hat was placed on his head. A moment passed before the tear of a mouth opened again.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
He ran over to the table two down from the Hufflepuffs and sat down happily. Next came…
"Bones. Amelia."
A dark haired girl with a bright face walked up to the stool and was then sorted into Hufflepuff house. More of the first years were sorted with cries of "RAVENCLAW!" "SLYTHERIN!" "GRYFFINDOR" and "HUFFLEPUFF!" ringing out over the applause.
Lily had been sorted into Gryffindor and was smiling at her friends from the table. Two of the other boys from Sirius' group had also been sorted into Gryffindor; Remus Lupin (the gangly boy) and Peter Pettigrew (the stout one).
"Potter. James."
The boy with messy black hair and glasses, shoved Severus and then sat on the stool. McGonagall placed the hat on his head.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
He ran to join his fried, sending a smirk at Evan and Severus.
"Runcorn. Albert."
"SLYTHERIN!"
There was only a few children left, Evanna and Severus amongst them.
"Silvers. Evanna."
She swallowed nervously and pulled a strand of her dark hair. Evan lowered her brown eyes as she stepped forward and looked back at Severus. He smiled encouragingly and she sat on the stool. The hat jumped into life.
"Interesting. Peculiar. Mix of talents, yes. And bravery there's no doubting that. Courage is in you. However a brilliant, brilliant mind…so much room for knowledge…better be….RAVENCLAW!"
Evan let out a huge breath and let the hat be taken from her head. She shakily got off the stool and went to sit at the cheering Ravenclaw table. She shook hands with a few of the older kids and took a seat next to a first year who she had learned was called Yasmine Fa. She watched as Severus was sorted into Syltherin and clapped loudly for him. There was a bit of chatter until McGonagall tapped her goblet and Dumbledore stood.
"Let the feast begin."