The Fifth Marauder
Chapter one
Nixie Ryder looked at the red steam engine with a smile, happy to finally be returning to Hogwarts for her fifth year after the summer. She had missed being around her friends and using her magic whenever she could. She put her hand in her pocket, enjoying the feeling of magic flowing as she grasped her wand, an 11½" willow with unicorn hair and phoenix feather core that had a flowery pattern carved into the wood.
"Nixie!" She turned to face her mum, who grasped her shoulders and gave her a serious look. "You be careful this year. And don't attract too much attention."
"Don't worry, Mum. I'll be fine." She smiled before giving her mum a hug. Anyone who looked at them would find it hard to distinguish who was who in their hug. They both had long, wavy brown hair, similar figures and were the same height, but Nixie's hair was lighter and had more blonde in it. "I gotta go." She said, pulling away from the hug.
"Don't get into trouble." Mrs Ryder said, smiling. "I love you darling."
"I love you too Mum. See you at Christmas!" She called as she turned and jogged to the train, jumping in and looking for an empty compartment. She sat down in one and pulled her book out, reading as much as she could.
Just as the train started moving, the door to her compartment opened and she looked up to see 4 boys smirking at her.
"Well, if it isn't Miss Ryder, all on her own." The unmistakable voice of Sirius Black said as he sauntered into the compartment.
"What happened? Did everyone finally get sick of you?" James Potter asked as they sat down. Peter Pettigrew sat close to the door, looking slightly nervous. Remus Lupin sat next to her, offering her a small smile as he sat down. She noticed some more scratches on his face as she smiled back. James and Sirius both sat opposite her, Sirius pulling her book out of her hand.
"A muggle Novel? I thought you were a pureblood." He said, frowning slightly.
"You thought wrong." She said, snatching her book back.
"But, aren't both your parents wizards?" Peter asked, looking lost.
"I'm adopted." She snapped, glaring at the 3 opposite her. "And for your information, I chose to sit on my own. I don't fancy sitting in a compartment with Snape all the way."
"Why would you have to sit with Snivellious?" James asked, his interest peaking.
"Because he is most likely sat with Lily and the others, and since I don't like him, I chose not to sit with them." She replied.
"Here we go." Remus sighed.
"Lilykins? That greasy slimeball is sat with my Lilykins?" James cried, jumping up, causing both Peter and Nixie to jump.
"James, sit down. We can prank him when we get to Hogwarts." Sirius said, smirking as his best friend retook his seat. "So, any prank ideas?"
"Turn his hair green?" Peter suggested.
"Did that in second year." James said. "Snakes in his bag?"
"First year." Remus commented. "Voice changing potion?"
"Third year." Sirius said, putting his hand on his chin. "Shave his head?"
"Did that last year." Nixie said, making the boys look at her as she read her book.
"We didn't shave his head." James said with a frown. "Did we?"
"You didn't. I did." She said, looking up at their shocked faces. "Do you not remember that he wore a hat for a week straight?"
"You shaved Snivellious' head?" Remus asked.
"Yeah. And all of those ideas are awful by the way. Way too amateur." She said.
"Oh, and what do you suggest we do?" Sirius asked, making her smirk.
Xxx
"Nix!" Nixie turned just in time to see a flash of red hair before she was pulled into a bone crushing hug.
"Lily! I need to breathe!" She gasped, making her best friend, Lily Evans, take a step back with a slight glare.
"Where were you? I thought you were going to sit with us on the train." She asked as she linked arms with her friend and the two walked into the great hall.
"Sorry Lil. I got distracted." Nixie replied.
"By what?" The question was answered as the Marauders sat down next to them, making Lily frown.
"You guys got everything ready?" Nixie asked.
"Of course. We're all set." Sirius replied. Before Lily could ask what they were on about, the doors opened and Professor McGonagall walked in with the first years to be sorted. They watched the sorting with smiles, cheering every time a new Gryffindor walked to their table. The Marauders and Nixie shared a look as Dumbledore stood up, smiling at each other.
"Welcome, to another year at Hogwarts. May I remind you that the forbidden forest is out of bounds, to everyone." He looked at the Marauders with a glint in his eye. "A list of banned items can be found on Mr Filches door. And now, enjoy the feast!" Everyone cheered as the food appeared, and Nixie leant closer to the Marauders.
"Here we go." She whispered. There was a shriek before Snape jumped up, the food in front of him now a pile of snakes. The rest of the Slytherin tables screamed and jumped as their food turned into a variety of creatures, from snakes to spiders, cockroaches and bees. The rest of the hall laughed, and even Dumbledore found it hard to contain a smirk.
"You guys are unbelievable." Lily snapped, looking at the 4 boys with glares.
"Oh, but Lily-flower. We couldn't possibly take all of the credit, as it wasn't our idea." James said, smiling brightly.
"Then who's was it?" She asked, only to groan as they looked at Nixie. "I thought you were done with the pranking." She hissed.
"When did I ever agree to that?" Nixie asked eating her food like normal.
"Well boys. I think we have just found a new member of the Marauders." Sirius said, making the other 3 smirk.
"Oh boy." Lily muttered. Dumbledore watched the exchange from his seat at the top table with a smile, before turning to look at McGonagall at his side.
"Well, Minerva. I think that this year is going to be a very interesting year." He said, making the green clad woman frown, having also seen the exchange. If the Marauders had joined forces with Nixie, then there was one thing for sure. No one would be safe this year.