Beauty and the Beast
Chapter 1
Kayla lay awake in bed thinking about what was to be the next day's events. It was her first day at a new school. For the past five years she had been attending the top school in America for the study of witchcraft and wizardry. That's right. Kayla was a witch, and she was exceptionally talented. Tomorrow, however, Kayla would be attending her school's sister school, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in England. She was born in England to a family of purebloods. In fact, they were some of the most well known purebloods in the wizarding world, the Baxters. Her family had moved to America before her first year in school on orders from the Ministry of Magic. Kayla's father worked for the Ministry and had been relocated to Virginia for reasons unknown to the rest of the family, as Kayla's father was under strict orders from the Ministry not to tell what he was working on.
Kayla remembered very little of England, except that she missed it terribly and she knew that it couldn't be any worse than where she was. For the first two years at school, all the kids teased her about her accent. She soon got tired of it and learned to hide it while at school. The moment she learned to speak with an American accent, she was the most popular girl in school. She was smart, funny, and incredibly beautiful. She had a perfect complexion. Her skin was slightly tanned and her hair was deep brown. It was long and wavy and ended in soft, natural curls in the center of her back. Her eyes, the purest shade of green anyone had ever seen. Despite her looks and charm, Kayla had never dated. She was completely engulfed in her studies, not wanting to disappoint her parents who graduated from Hogwarts at the top of their class. She simply had no time for boys; not that she wasn't asked out by every boy in her year. Incredibly enough, even with the entire male populations' desire to go out with Kayla, she was not the envy of the school. In fact, all the girls looked to her to hook them up with the guys of their dreams that asked her out. Kayla wondered if she would maintain the same reputation at this new school.
Kayla rolled over in bed and stared out her window. She saw a tawny owl swoop down to the kitchen window. Mum or Dad must have gotten a letter. I wonder who it's from. She thought to herself. She heard footsteps coming up the stairs and rolled back over onto her back as she saw her mother climbing the stairs.
"Mum, who got a letter?" Kayla asked in her thick British accent.
"Your father. It was from the Potters, friends of your father's. Since we're getting to England a day before our belongings, they said we could stay with them. You know, they have a son about your age." Her mother said with a grin and a wink. Kayla giggled and rolled her eyes.
"Thanks Mum. I'm sure he's a real nice boy. Can't wait to meet him." She said with as much sarcasm as she could muster. Mrs. Baxter laughed.
"Good night, Kiki. See you in the morning." Mrs. Baxter blew her daughter a kiss and shut her door. Kiki. Kayla wasn't sure how she felt about her nickname. It was cute, but she hoped with all her heart that her parents wouldn't use it in public. They gave it to her because when she was little, she couldn't say her own name right and that's what always came out. It just sort of stuck. Kayla rolled back over onto her side and stared out her window. A boy. Mum graduated at the top of her class; shouldn't she understand my lack of desire to have a boyfriend? I'm sure she didn't have one in school. She and Dad hooked up after school; too much of a distraction. And with that last thought and the thought of what this Potter boy looked like, Kayla drifted off into a deep sleep full of dreams of what her new school might be like.
Kayla awoke early the next morning, her anticipation keeping her from sleeping any longer. Her mother and father were already up, showered, fed, and looking around their almost empty house one last time before they left. Kayla got out of bed and took the clothes she had set out for herself the night before, went to the bathroom and took a quick shower. She climbed down the carpeted staircase to the front hall and into the kitchen. Her mother and father were sitting on two folding chairs that had been left there from the people who owned the house before they moved in.
"Morning, Kiks. Hungry?" her father asked. Kayla shook her head and sat in her father's lap. Kayla had never been one for breakfast. If she ate anything at all, it was a piece of toast lightly buttered. "Ready to go to your new school?" Kayla nodded.
"How am I getting there?" Kayla asked.
"Your father got permission from the Ministry to use a certain spell on you to transport you from here to the Potter's home. Dad and I will apparate there as soon as we know you've arrived safely. You'll go to the Kings Cross Station with the Potters." Kayla gave her mom a skeptical look.
"Mum, this isn't another attempt to get me to start dating, is it? I'm too busy with school to date." Mrs. Baxter laughed.
"Too busy…Kiki, darling, you're the brightest girl in your year, wise beyond your years. Give in, Kayla. I was dating at your age. Give it a try. If it starts to affect your studies, give it up. Who knows, maybe you'll find someone who's as much of a bookworm as you are." Kayla laughed and shook her head.
"Discuss boy troubles later, girls. We've got to get to the Potters before they start to worry." Mr. Baxter got up off his chair, pushing Kayla onto her feet as he did so. "You're all packed, right?" Mr. Baxter asked her daughter. Kayla nodded. "Alright then, this won't hurt a bit." Mr. Baxter approached Kayla, his wand out. He tapped the top of her head and mumbled a spell. Kayla felt her whole body begin to tingle. She looked down at her hands and saw that bit-by-bit she was beginning to disappear. Her heart began to pound, more with anticipation than fear, as she was unsure of what was going to happen. As soon as she could no longer see her own feet, she felt a tug behind where her navel would have been. She soon had a rushing sensation. She shut her eyes tightly, now becoming very afraid of what was happening to her. She knelt down and grabbed her knees. She stayed huddled there, unaware of the fact that the rushing feeling was gone and the tingling feeling had returned as her body became visible again. She felt a tap on her shoulder.
"You can open your eyes now, dear. You've arrived." Kayla slowly lifted her head as she heard the soothing female voice. She opened one eye and timidly looked around the room. She opened both eyes and stood up as she realized that she was in a highly decorated living room. Who ever owned this house was obviously very rich. "Welcome to our home, Kayla! It's wonderful to see you again." Said the woman. Kayla spun around and found herself face to face with a woman with raven black hair and brown eyes. Kayla gave the woman a timid, yet polite smile.
"Have we met before?" Kayla asked curiously, a little disturbed by the woman's comment. The woman smiled.
"Why of course we have! I'm Mrs. Potter. I've known your family since before you were born. Your parents and my husband and I were all in the same year and house at Hogwarts." The woman said with a broad smile.
"Oh." Was all Kayla could think to get out. She still was not sure of how to react to her surroundings. Just then four young boys, who all looked to be around Kayla's age walked into the room talking and laughing loudly. They all stopped, though, when their eyes fell on Kayla. "Oh good, just in time. Boys, I'd like for you to meet Kayla Baxter. Her family will be staying with us until their home is ready. Kayla, I'd like you to meet James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter." The four boys smiled and waved at Kayla, who waved back, though not returning the smile.
"Are they all yours?" Kayla asked Mrs. Potter. She shook her head and laughed.
"Merlin's beard, no! Though, it does feel like I've raised four boys as apposed to one. No, James is my one and only. In fact, I believe you two have met once." Kayla raised an eyebrow and looked back at the four boys. One of the four, who had the same raven black hair as Mrs. Potter and glasses, looked at Mrs. Potter.
"We have?" he asked, sounding as confused as Kayla looked.
"Yes, of course. Though you both were very young so I don't expect either of you to remember. James, go and tell your father to owl Mr. and Mrs. Baxter and let them know that Kayla has arrived safely. You three come and introduce yourselves. You should be seeing a lot of each other at school I expect." Mrs. Potter beckoned the three remaining boys over, retaining her same broad smile. One of the three boys, a tall one with longer black hair lead the group over to Kayla, a cheeky grin playing across his lips.
"Sirius Black, pleasure to meet you. I hope you get Gryffindor, we could use a few more attractive girls such as yourself." He said taking Kayla's hand and shaking it. Kayla rolled her eyes. Sirius let go of her hand and stepped aside. The next boy stepped up. He had sandy blonde hair and amber eyes. Ooo, he's cute! Kayla thought to herself as she took the boy's hand.
"I'm Remus Lupin. Forgive Sirius, he has no manners at all." Remus said with a charming smile. Kayla returned the smile for the first time.
"Oh, that's alright. I'm used to it." She said, glancing over at Sirius, who was glaring at Remus.
"C-can I have my hand back now?" Remus asked with a slight chuckle. Kayla looked back at Remus and her eyebrows raised. She was still shaking Remus' hand. Kayla gave a soft giggle and let go. She looked down at her feet, hoping to hide her blushing face.
"Sorry." She said softly. Remus gave a soft laugh and stepped aside allowing the third and final boy to step forward. Kayla gave a quick look of shock before hiding it with her polite smile. The boy that stood in front of her looked nothing like the other three. Where Remus, Sirius and James were tall and thin and muscular, this boy was shorter and pudgier. He had a blonde bowl cut for hair and beady, water, black eyes. The boy seemed very out of place against the other three.
"I'm Peter Pettigrew." The boy said in a small, squeaky voice. Kayla tried to retain her polite smile while trying to hide her shock and slight disgust.
"Nice to meet you, Peter." Kayla tried to choke back a giggle. James came back into the room, followed by his father.
"Did you send the owl, dear?" Mrs. Potter asked her husband. Mr. Potter nodded. "Good, James, why don't you introduce yourself?" Mrs. Potter suggested. James shrugged and walked up to Kayla, arm extended.
"James Potter, nice to meet you." he said. Kayla shook his hand and smiled politely at him.
"Well then, now that we're all introduced, I say we get something for you five to eat before we head off for the platform." Mrs. Potter started for the kitchen. James and Sirius grinned and eagerly followed. Peter quickly scampered up behind them. Kayla quickly became aware of Peter's role as lost puppy in the group. Remus, however, stayed back and walked with Kayla to the kitchen.
"What would you like to eat?" Mrs. Potter asked Kayla as she and Remus entered the kitchen. James, Sirius, and Peter were already seated at the table, shoveling hefty amounts of food into their mouths.
"Um…Just a slice of toast, please." Kayla said softly. She didn't know why she was being so shy. It wasn't like her at all. Mrs. Potter looked at Kayla as if she were waiting for there to be more to her request.
"Just one slice?" she asked. Kayla nodded.
"I'm not much of a breakfast person." She added, taking a seat across from the boys. Mrs. Potter sighed and shrugged.
"What would you like, dear?" she asked Remus as he took a seat next to Sirius and directly across from Kayla.
"Eggs would be great." He said. Mrs. Potter nodded and set to work ordering the house elves to fix the two meals. Just as the group had finished eating, there was a loud popping sound coming from the entry hall, followed shortly by a softer, more high pitched popping.
"Oh, good. Kayla, that must be your parents." Mr. and Mrs. Baxter got up from the table and headed for the entry hall. Kayla shortly followed suit, eager to see some familiar faces. She entered the entry hall and found her mother and father greeting Mr. and Mrs. Potter with smiles and hearty handshakes.
"Mum! Dad!" Kayla exclaimed. With a huge grin, she swiftly walked up to her parents and embraced them both in a tight hug. "You never said there would be four boys!" she hissed into their ears. Her parents smiled apologetically.
"Shouldn't it be about time to go to the platform?" Mr. Baxter asked. James' parents both dawned looks of realization as they noted the time.
"Merlin's beard! We're going to be late! Everyone, grab your trunks and let's head out!" Mr. Potter ordered.
"Trunk? I don't have a trunk." Kayla said.
"Of course you do, dear. It's in your parents' room. James, why don't you go show her where it is." Mrs. Potter suggested.
"I'll take her." Remus jumped at the chance. James and Sirius exchanged glances regarding their friend's behavior, but ignored it. Kayla and Remus made their way down a long hallway full of doors. "So, you're from America?" Remus asked, sort of unsure what to say. Kayla watched her feet as she walked.
"No, I'm originally from London, but my father was relocated to Virginia on the Ministry's orders. I only lived there for five years." Kayla explained.
"Oh, so that would explain why you don't have an American accent." Remus commented. Kayla grinned.
"I could have one if I wanted, I just prefer my British roots." She said in the thickest American accent Remus had ever heard.
"So you do have an accent." He said.
"It's fake. It was either learning to talk like an American, or be made fun of for being different." Kayla said.
"Why would you want to be the same as everyone else? Why not stand out in the crowd?" Remus asked, now looking at Kayla.
"You obviously don't know what it's like being the only one of your kind in the school. Sometimes it's just better to conform to everyone else's idea of normal than try and stand out." Kayla said. Remus stared at Kayla in silence for a few long moments, then looked down at his feet. "Are we there yet?" the two stopped walking and realized that they had gone almost the full length of the hallway.
"To be honest…I have no idea where the room is." He said. Kayla looked at Remus annoyed and turned to the first door she saw and opened it. "What are you doing?" he asked.
"Figuring out which room belongs to my parents. Why would you volunteer to show me the room if you didn't know where it was?" Kayla asked, her aggravation evident in her voice. Remus tried to think of a decent answer, but was unable to as Kayla found the right door. "Oh, here it is." She said. She walked in and found a large trunk at the foot of the king sized bed. Kayla opened it and found it filled with her clothes, books for school, and her uniform, which held the Hogwarts crest. She closed it and stood up. She took a deep breath and bent back over in an attempt to pick up the large, heavy trunk. She got it about an inch off the floor, before the fear of popping a vein in her head became too much to bear. With a grunt and a huff a breath, Kayla dropped the trunk back onto the floor and crumpled into a heap on top of it. Remus laughed.
"Here, let me help you." he said, offering Kayla his hand to help her up. She took it and stood up off of the trunk. Remus stepped in front of her and bent down to lift the trunk up. He hoisted it up with little trouble and carried it to the door. Kayla ran after him back into the entrance hall. Remus got there before Kayla did and dropped the trunk next to everyone else's and rejoined the group. Kayla walked up beside him.
"Thanks." She said. Remus smiled and Kayla swore her heart skipped a beat.
"My pleasure." They smiled at each other for a few moments. James and Sirius watched them and exchanged knowing looks, having seen this look in Remus' eyes only once before, but nonetheless knowing what it was. Mr. Baxter saw the look on his daughter's face and began to feel slightly uneasy. He cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.
"We should probably be heading out. Don't want these five missing the train." The other adults agreeing, they nodded and ushered the five out the door. Outside waiting were two cars.
"Right. Adults in the back car, kids in the front." Mr. Potter announced. Kayla leaned over toward her mother and whispered in her ear.
"I have to ride all the way to the train station with these four? And the train to Hogwarts? Can't I ride with you?" Kayla asked. Mrs. Baxter glanced over her daughter's shoulder at the four laughing boys.
"What's wrong with them, Kiki? I think they are quite the attractive ones." Kayla rolled her eyes and huffed.
"I can tell already that Black and Potter are arrogant prats, Black's already tried to hit on me once since we've been here. Peter just plain old gives me the creeps." Mrs. Baxter chuckled.
"And what about the other one?" Kayla's eyes widened momentarily as she realized she had forgotten to mention anything about Remus.
"Well…he, erm…uh…" Kayla racked her brain to find something to complain about Remus, but was finding it very difficult. "Well, he's not that bright." Mrs. Baxter raised an eyebrow interestedly. She glanced back over Kayla's shoulder at the four boys, who had heard their names being mentioned and were now paying attention. "He's not. He offered to show me to my trunk but didn't even know where he was going. How dense can you get?" she asked, not even completely convinced of her own argument. Mrs. Baxter laughed.
"You'll be fine, sweetie. It's only until we get to the train station. Once you're on the Express, you can get a compartment without them. Your father, the Potters and I have some things to discuss. We need all of you to be in a separate car. I promise, nothing bad will happen. They're good boys." Kayla gave her mother a 'How do you know?' look, but left the question unspoken. She sighed and turned back to the boys. James and Sirius were whispering things to each other, stealing the occasional glance at Kayla, which made her very uncomfortable. Peter looked timid and darted his eyes between Kayla and his three friends. Remus glanced at Sirius and James, which they returned with looks of innocence. Remus rolled his eyes and looked at Kayla with a quizzical and somewhat hurt look. Kayla gave him a half grin and headed toward the car. Kayla slid in to the other side of the car and stared out the window. Shortly after she had seated herself in the car, the door opened again and the four boys piled in. James, Sirius, and Peter filled the seats in front of Kayla, leaving the only available spot for Remus next to Kayla. Kayla sighed and took to staring out the window for the whole car ride, not chancing a glance at any of the boys.
