Just One Day More

by green-gremlin

RL/OC. She lost her family to a werewolf, how could she ever love one? Sometimes things aren't as clear as they seem. Sometimes they are so clear that you can't see the truth! M for later chapters.

1. Once Upon a Time

FYI: I do not own Harry Potter. If I did, I don't think I'd be posting on here.

--

Pushing your hair out of your eyes, you approached the familiar red train, a happy smile on your face. This was the first year you could board it and say goodbye to your Guardians until Christmas. You had been coming here on the 1st Sunday of September ever since you were 6, watching your beloved guardians children slowly drifting off to school, and every year you had begged them to let you go to. Now you could. You were finally 11, and able to follow in your adoptive brothers footsteps and go to Hogwarts.

Kissing your adoptive parent's goodbye, you happily jumped onto the train, grinning widely as you weaved through the masses of older students talking to their friends. Finally you came across an empty carriage, and happily strolled in, almost bouncing in excitement. Throwing your backpack down on one of the seats you pulled down the window, hoping to see your family one more time before the train set off. The station was slowly emptying, and you managed to make out your adoptive mother, Lynne, along with her eldest son, Alexander, slowly walking away from the train. A strange sort of sadness hit you as you watched them vanish within the crowds. You had always been excited about seeing Hogwarts and starting your magical education, you hadn't even thought about how you might feel leaving the only family you had know since you were a little over 5. But within seconds they were gone from sight, and you were left to enjoy your first journey to Hogwarts. Falling into the seat beside the window, next to your backpack, you tried to relax and not feel to upset by leaving your family.

"Hello?" said a soft, timid voice from the corridor. Turning you saw three young girls, all your age, looking far more nervous than you felt.

"Hi" you greeted brightly, giving them your warmest smile, "Want to sit with me?". The lead girl seemed to relax at this, stepping into the carriage with a smile.

"Are you a first year to?" she asked, sitting opposite you and regarding you carefully. The other two girls followed her lead, all sitting opposite you, still seeming very nervous.

"Sure am" you chirped happily, "Katana (Kah-Tah-na) Maxwell the name, been looking forward for today for years". The brave girl and one of the shier girls giggled at this.

"I'm Judith Owen, but everyone calls me Joules" the brave girl greeted offering you her hand. Shaking it happily, you smiled over at the other two girls.

"I'm Elizabeth" mumbled the braver of the two shy girls, "Elizabeth Harcourt, and this is my cousin Amelia Makepeace". Smiling happily, you shook the hand of first Elizabeth, and then the reluctant Amelia.

"Now I know your names, you are now officially my friends!" you declared happily as you leant back in your seat again, "I hope we're all in the same house".

"Oh me to" agreed Joules with a grin, "Apart from these two, who I've known forever, you're the first nice witch my age I've ever met"

"Aw thanks" you laughed back, "Dito, apart from the knowing Beth and Lia bit".

"It's Amelia" whispered a soft voice which you suddenly realized had come from Amelia.

"Lia sounds nice" Beth told her cousin softly, "And you said you'd like a nickname". Amelia just gazed at her, almost begging her with her eyes not to call her it. "I'm not complaining about being called Beth" she continued kindly, "And Lia is so much more feminine than Lee".

"So what should we call you Katana?" Joules asked, seeming to have decided that Lia's nickname was now fixed.

"Kat of course" you laughed, "Or Anna if you'd prefer".

"Kat it is" Joules laughed, "Or at least for the moment. If everyone else calls you Anna, then I'm totally calling you that". This time all of you laughed, Lia finally seeming to relax. Suddenly the door flew open with a bang, causing you all to jump, and stare at the once more open door.

"Bloody stupid boys, bloody stupid door" muttered the young girl who had just thrown the door open. You found yourself grinning as you listened to her words. Looking up she noticed you all looking at her. "Sorry about that" she said, trying to smile at you all, but still looking a bit annoyed, "It's been one of those days".

"Oh I know those days" you joked, "But did mister door deserve to be punished?" Joules snorted at this, grinning along with you.

"Well it is male" the new girl shot back, before laughing loudly. She threw herself down in one of the chairs on your side, still laughing. "Sorry again" she finally said, "There are going to be some real morons in our year. You are all first years, right?". There was a smattering of affirmative answers and she grinned. "Good me to" she sighed, "I'm Ellie Smith, Well Ellen, but don't call me that".

"Katana Maxwell" you laughed, "We're still debating if I should be called Kat or Anna though". Ellie grinned at you, taking in your appearance.

"You're defiantly a Kat" she finally declared, her eyes settling on the choker around your neck, "You should be called Kitten".

"Bad pun" you shot back, "just don't call me Tabby. I was called that at Primary and I can not stand it".

"Sure think Tabby" Ellie laughed, sticking out your tongue, "And who else do I get to call my friend?"

"I'm Judith Owen, or Joules," Joules introduced, smiling at Ellie, "And these are Elizabeth Harcourt and Amelia Makepeace. Or as we've just Christened them, Beth and Lia".

"Nice to meet you all" Ellie giggled, "So are you all like proper witches? Like from magical families? I'm not. Never even knew Magic was real until I got my letter, mum and dad still aren't sure!"

"I'm Pure blood" Judith told her with a grin, "and these two are half. What about you Kat?"

"I'm pure" you informed them, smiling warmly, "But not from an old pure blood family, my father was muggle born". You pulled a weird face at this, causing all four girls to laugh.

"So you shall be now known as a Demi-pure blood" Joules suddenly declared loudly, sticking her hand up in the air in a dramatic gesture. You all just laughed loudly, joking with each other, and instantly getting along.

"What a mix we are" you laughed, "Oh what larks we'll have, Hey Pip!"

"Whose Pip?" Joules asked a bit confused.

"It's just a saying" you replied, trying not to feel annoyed that no one knew it, "My brothers and me are always saying it to each other".

This instantly started a conversation about your family, which slowly turned into general getting to know each other better. Within an hour, all four of you were talking openly, and there was no trace of shyness. Ellie and Beth seemed to have become very close over the time, whilst Joules stuck with Lia. You were all friends, but you couldn't help but wish that you could have a best, best friend, which the other four seemed to have already found. By the time you had reached Hogwarts it was a firm thing, no matter what houses you all ended up in, you'd remain friends and support each other.

--

You were all huddled together, waiting to be summoned into the Great Hall so you could be sorted. Several of the other first years seemed a bit confused by what to do. They all looked like they'd like to huddle closer to the new groups of friends, but were to nervous to actually do so. There were of course many groups of two or three of people who had met on the trains and were sticking with each other. Looking around the entrance hall, you noticed a pair of dark haired boys sniggering and whispering to each other, and behind them a pale boy standing nervously beside a very scared looking red haired girl. As she caught your eye, you smiled warmly at her, silently inviting her forward, but before she could move the strict witch returned, ushering you all into the Great Hall, where hundreds of eyes watched you. Rolling your shoulders back slightly, you tried to walk up between the tables confidently, feeling Lia trembling beside you.

"Kat?" she whispered softly, holding onto your hand and glancing round nervously, "Will you still like me if I'm not in the same house as you?"

"Of course" you replied quietly, sending her a reassuring smile, "I've already promised, no matter what house any of us are in, I'm still going to be all of your friends!""Even if I'm in Slytherin?" she murmured so quietly you almost missed it, "My Mothers parent's both were".

"Even Slytherin" you laughed as you came to a stop at the front and found yourself staring at a old hat which you knew from your adoptive brothers was going to sort you. Suddenly you felt someone step beside you, and looking out of the corner of your eyes you realized it was the nervous red haired girl. Before you could whisper a greeting to her, a seam in the hat open and it began to sing:

"I'm the Hat that Reads your mind, dears,
And there's nothing You can hide;
I will put you In a place that
Seven years you Must abide.

I am skilled in The detection
Of that crucial Inner trait
Which determines My selection,
Making Character your Fate

See the Gryffindor whose roaring
Opens wide that Fearsome face;
But the Slytherin keeps venom
In a much less Obvious place.

And the Hufflepuff so tender,
Never predator but prey;
Whilst the Ravenclaw soars highest,
Asking 'Why?' far From the fray.

And as wartime Follows peacetime,
All our conflicts must be dismissed;
But in learning, And in yearning,
House distinctions Will persist.

So the Lions Cram for Glory,
Whilst the Eagles Learn for joy.
For the Badgers, Study's duty,
For the Serpents, It's a ploy.

Know that Gryffindors in love are
Not a force to Be ignored;
That the Ravenclaws are guarded,
Consequently, They're adored.

And the Hufflepuffs' affections
Are most steady And serene;
But in Slytherins Obsession
And Indifference Find no mean.

If Determinism galls you,
Understand this Is your choice.
I am spelled to Sort you truly,
So you might as Well rejoice.

Yes whichever House you go to,
You were meant to,So Rejoice."

There was an explosion of applause as the song finished, and you clapped along quietly, thinking over the verse in which the hat had mentioned war. You're guardians hadn't told you anything about war, from what they said it always sounded like you lived in a time of peace.

"What does it mean war?" whispered the red haired girl, meeting your eyes and smiling worriedly.

"No idea" you responded, before turning back to the strict witch which was now stood in front of the hat.

"When I call your name, you will take a seat and put the hat on" she instructed, seemingly looking through all of you, "Atwood, Terry".

With that the sorting began. Terry Atwood became a Ravenclaw, then Sirius Black, one of the dark haired boys you had noticed earlier, was made a Gryffindor. Listening intently you waited to find out the red hair girls name, hoping you would get a chance to talk to her properly during the feast.

"Evans, Lily" was yelled, and then the red haired girl was sitting on the stool and placing the hat on her head. She looked so small under everyones gaze, but almost as soon as she had put the hat on it was shouting out Gryffindor. Three more people followed Lily, and then it was Beth's turn to be sorted. It took over a minute before she to was place in Gryffindor. As she sat down, beside Lily and opposite Sirius, she shot you a thumbs up. The next person to be sent to Gryffindor was the pale boy who had been stood behind Sirius and his friend out in the entrance hall. Two boys followed him, both being put into Slytherin, and looking very pleased by this. Then Amelia was called up. She was visually shaking as she sat on the stool, dropping the hat on her head and vanishing beneath the black material. Silently you began counting, catching Joules eye as you did and seeing how nervous she now looked. You wondered if it was due to Lia or the face she would soon be facing sorting. 32 seconds later the split in the hat opened, placing Lia in Hufflepuff. Grinning happily at her, you watched her slowly walk over to the cheering table. You knew there was no way you would ever be placed in Hufflepuff, so just hoped Joules or Ellie would be with her. But where you'd be was the question, one you didn't have to wait for the answer of.

"Maxwell, Kat…Katana?" the women called, sounding confused about the pronunciation of your first name. Smiling happily, you walked up to the stool, trying to remain appearing confident so no one could see how nervous you really were. Sitting down, you placed the hat on your head and waited.

Your father really did have a sense of humour when he named you didn't he? the hat chuckled inside your head, But then again, he always did love his martial arts, even when I first met him they were his love

I like it you thought back, Lynn, my guardian always told me that my father said the Katana was like a woman, it takes a life time to understand but is worth the effort as it makes life worth living

Guardian? the hat asked softly, Ah, I see. I am sorry for you loss, but at least it was how they would probably have wanted it. You agree silently, knowing from the few memories you had how fitting your parents deaths had been. I guess I better sort you the hat declared after a few seconds Although it is nice to finally meet you. Smiling beneath the hat you waited. I think you already know you're not a Hufflepuff if chuckled, Not with your temper, and I think it would not be safe for you to be a Slytherin either, although they would accept you happily. You are at a turning point, and I don't believe Slytherin is the right direction.

What houses were my parents in? you suddenly asked, curious to know as your guardians had never told you.

Your father was a Ravenclaw the hat said in a dreamy tone, as if thinking back to the day it sorted him, Never seen a brain so will to learn. Your mother, well she was a hard one. She was from a family of Hufflepuff's you know, so some of that had rubbed off on her, but she was determined to succeed and in the end I had to put her in Slytherin. From what I hear she did well there. You thought over his words, wondering how a Slytherin ended up marrying a muggle born wizard. All through your childhood you had heard of the Slytherin's hatred for muggle born witches and wizards. She was a good woman the hat soothed, She might have been popular in Slytherin, but she didn't abide by their stereotype. Sighing, you accepted his word, not remembering enough to be able to make up your own opinion about her. So Ravenclaw or Gryffindor the hat mussed. You thought of your father and his house, but just as you were thinking of how nice it would be to follow in his footsteps your friends faces filled your mind. Beth sitting in Gryffindor, and the red haired girl, Lily, beside her. Your heart was being pulled two ways. Following your heart is always the wisest measure in life the hat told you, and then you knew the answer.

Gryffindor

"GRYFFINDOR"

The table on which Beth and Lily were sat roared with applause as you took off the hat and bounced down to join them. Sitting beside Lily, you smiled at everyone who was welcoming you. Slowly you turned back to the sorting, and watched as a boy was placed in Ravenclaw and then his twin brother followed him. Then it was Joule's turn to be sorted and she no longer looked nervous, although her eyes kept darting between Lia and you, being torn between both houses. As she walked up and sat down, her eyes locked with Lia's and you knew she had made her choice, and true to your thoughts, seconds later she became a Hufflepuff and joined a much happier looking Lia. The next person was a plump little boy who after several minutes became a Gryffindor, and then it was the turn of the other dark haired boy you had noticed earlier.

"Woooo GO JAMES" bellowed Sirius, causing everyone to stare at him and several people start laughing. Neither him nor James seemed to notice though, as James grinned at his friend before jumping up onto the stage and plonking the hat on his head. It had barely touched his messy hair before it was bellowing Gryffindor for the whole school to hear and he was joining you at the table. He insisted on Remus moving up so he could sit beside Sirius, leading to Remus being in front of you. The only person of any interest to you in the small group remaining to be sorted was Ellie, but you had to wait for several other people to be sorted before she was called up and you would finally find out where she was going to be placed. You just hoped she wouldn't end up in a house where she didn't know anyone.

"Smith, Ellen" was finally called, and you watched your final friend walking up and placing the battered hat on her head.

"Please let her be a Gryffindor" Beth mumbled, biting her lip as she watched with you, "Or at least a Hufflepuff". You smiled over at her in agreement before turning back to the front.

GRYFFINDOR

And that was it, Ellie was going to be in your Dormitory and classes for the next three years. Cheering along with the rest of the House, you hugged Ellie really tightly when she reached the seat beside you. She hugged you back, before making you swap places with Beth so she could sit next to her also. Ellie had only left one first year left to be sorted, a weedy looking dark haired boy whose nose seemed not designed for his small face.

"That's Severus" Lily whispered to you quietly, "I sat with him on the train, he's rather shy and snobby, but seemed nice". You watched as this boy was sorted, expecting him to join you in Gryffindor, or maybe go to Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff after hearing Lily's words. So when he was sent to Slytherin you were surprised. But then the sorting was over, and Dumbledore was welcoming everyone and making a few announcements. You tried to listen, but found yourself glancing at your fellow first years, wondering about all of them and hoping you'd all be friends. Four girls and four boys.

--

"So what is your name?" asked James through a mouth full of food, spraying everyone close to him with half chewed chicken, "I think McGonagall got a bit confused when she called you"

"Yeah" agreed Sirius, "I was wondering about that".

"It's Katana" you told them with a grin, "Pronounced Kah-Tah-naa, but everyone's calling me Kat or Ana. Which one catches on is yet to be decided!" James and Sirius both laughed at this, seeming to like you. "I tend to give everyone nicknames, so watch out" you added with a smirk, "Helps me remember names"

"So what we going to call the quiet ones?" Sirius asked with a grin, tilting his head towards Remus and Peter who had both been listening to the conversations occurring around them but not really adding anything.

"Ooo a hard one" you replied with a grin, smiling wickedly, "Would be easy to say Pea-Wee and Rem-Rem, but those just don't have the effect do they"

"No they don't" James agreed, with a smirk.

"How about Pete and Ream?" Ellie suggested, "Close to their names but still good enough to be known as nicknames".

"What's wrong with our names?" Remus quietly asked, looking at all of you in turn, "I quite like mine, thank you very much". Grinning wickedly, you leant across the table so your nose was almost touching his.

"Only quite" you giggled, "Not a lot, so Ream it is!". Laughing happily with your friends, you leant your head on Lily's shoulder, having decided that she was going to be your Best, Best Friend, although you had yet to inform of her of this. "Siri, Jam, Pete, Ream, Ellie, Beth, Flower and ME!!" you squealed pointing to everyone in turn, "Oh the larks we'll have, hey Pip!"

"Whose Pip?"

--

That was how it began. The Once Upon a time was set in motion.

--

If you would like more, please encourage me to write!