1. Ride On
The train station was bustling for a Saturday morning with businessmen and families trying to get to their respective platforms. It was always amazing how no Muggles managed to notice people passing through the wall between platforms nine and ten. This always went through Mercedes Gauge's mind during the beginning of every term, though this would be her last trip on the Hogwarts Express. It had been hard for her to travel to the wonderful school two years prior without her friend Charlie Weasley, but she still had the twins and Lee Jordan to keep her in high spirits. Mercedes turned to her parents. Her father, Richard Gauge, was a Muggleborn wizard and was more than ecstatic when he daughter had been accepted to his alma-mater. At his side was her mother, Lorraine, and her two older brothers Nathaniel (Nate), and Derrick, the oldest, who were all Muggles. They had been aware of Richard's abilities their entire lives, but were shocked when Mercedes received her letter. Lorraine was worried about her only daughter going off to a wizarding school, but Richard had promised her that there was nothing to worry about. And now, after six years, they were at their final goodbyes. This time next year, Mercedes would be working and not cut off from her family for months at a time.
"Well kiddo…this is it." Richard said with a grin. She hugged him tight. "I'm so proud of you." He kissed her forehead before Lorraine pulled her away and clutched her daughter with tears in her eyes.
"Be good, be safe, and don't let those hoodlums you call friends get you into anymore trouble." She stared Mercedes in the eye, making sure she understood.
"I promise Mum, but Fred and George are quite a handful."
"Well Mercy, the pub is waiting for you when you come home." Nate said with a grin, pulling her into a one armed hug.
"And the boys'll be waiting too." Derrick answered. "We all have to go to a match once you're back."
"We just went to a match last week." She said cheekily as Derrick gave her a noogie.
"Have no fear! The Hoodlums are here!" They heard two identical voices shout. Mercy removed herself from her brothers and ran over to two red-headed twins who had identical grins on their faces. It was common knowledge that Lorraine didn't like Mercy hanging out with the twins because she was afraid her daughter would get hurt during one of their escapades.
"Gred! Feorge! I missed you!" She shouted, pulling them into a hug. They laughed but returned the gesture.
"Oye, Fred, I knew I missed something over the summer."
"What's that George?"
"Older women throwing themselves at me!" Mercy hit them both in the arms and hugged her parents once more before following the twins through the barrier and onto Platform 9 ¾.
There, they were quick to find Lee Jordan, Alicia Spinnet, Angelina Johnson and Katie Bell. Although Mercy was not in their year, she had become friends with all of them over the years after finding it easy to talk with them about sports, especially Lee Jordan who was an avid football fan after discovering the sport with his father when he was young. They could often be found in the Common Room arguing about tactics and draft results. Lee was an avid Manchester fan, while Mercy rooted for Blackpool.
"Oye Lee! Still rooting for bloody Manchester?" She teased, "When are ye going to pick a real club?" She pointed to her orange and white Blackpool jersey. This started an argument that lasted until they were all in their compartment and a knock came at the door. A brown head popped in with a grin and everyone cheered.
"Our fearless captain has returned!" George exclaimed. Oliver took a seat in the compartment as everyone welcomed him.
"Wood." Mercy said with a smirk.
"Gauge." He responded. "How was your summer?"
"Quite lovely, though I did miss my rotten best friend who was off at Quidditch camp all bloody summer." She teased.
"Who? Percy? Come on now love, you know he needs the practice." He shot back with a grin. Everyone burst into hysterics as Oliver pulled her over for a hug and she smacked him upside the head for not writing her the entire summer.
"I was busy!" he exclaimed. "In between sessions at camp I was busy applying for positions to professional teams and working on my playbook. We will win the ruddy Cup this year, even if it kills me!"
"And probably us too." Fred whispered to his brother who just nodded. Mercy watched as Oliver began telling everyone what he had learned this summer and all his ideas on strategies that he would be implementing at practices. How she and Oliver had become friends was a mystery. They had met on the Hogwarts Express during their first year, but it was only after Charlie had introduced them later that year that they clicked. It appeared sports fanatics were just meant to be friends. Although neither one of them ever understood the fanaticism of the other's favorite sport, they appreciated the dedication and obsession that the other possessed.
"So Gauge, since you know what I did this summer, what did you do without me there to entertain you?"
"Puh-lease Wood. I have plenty of other blokes to entertain me." She retorted, causing Oliver to frown. Yes, he was just Mercy's friend, but there was equal suspicion between them when the other mentioned their love life. Mercy propped her feet up on Oliver's lap.
"The guys and I spent the summer at as many Pool matches as we possibly could. Other than that, I worked at the pub."
"You and that ruddy pub." Oliver said with a roll of his eyes. "I swear, once you graduate and get a real job I'll feel much better."
"I'm going to be taking over the pub, so I don't know what you're talking about." Oliver's jaw dropped. Everyone in the compartment knew that Oliver didn't like the idea of Mercy spending the rest of her days standing behind a bar serving drinks. None of them did, but Oliver was the only one to ever voice his opinion since it always resulted in an argument. Mercy didn't seem to have a problem with abandoning any opportunity she had to make something of herself in the wizarding world. She had always been set on following in her father's footsteps and taking over the pub. The only reason she accepted her letter to Hogwarts was for her father because he hoped she would find something else that would catch her eye like her brothers had done when they'd gone off to the University.
"Gauge, seriously, you know you can do better than that." Oliver argued, "It's not right for you to waste all that talent! You could work in the Ministry or something!"
"I'm not talking to you about this Wood." She looked up as the candy lady knocked at their door. This started everyone on a rant as to what they wanted.
"A pack of Droobles please!"
"Three chocolate frogs!"
"Two cauldron cakes!"
"A pumpkin pastie please!"
"Bertie Botts!" Fred and George both shouted.
"Four licorice wands!" The woman handed them all their orders upon receiving money and headed down the line. Mercy picked at her chocolate frog, not meeting Oliver's gaze. He knew she was mad at him, and he didn't blame her. He always felt bad after an argument and everyone knew what was coming next. He pulled her out of the compartment, nearly making her spit chocolate on Angelina.
"Will you talk to me?" He asked. Mercy chewed and swallowed the chocolate in her mouth, putting her hands on her hips.
"Why do you always do that?" She asked. "You know it annoys me."
"I know. I just don't like the idea. I mean you'll be in the Muggle world and I'll be here. It freaks me out that I may never see you again after we graduate." He decided to keep his mouth shut about it being a waste of talent since that would just start the argument back up again.
"Wood…seriously? I'm going to come to your games, whatever team chooses you. Someone's got to make sure you keep your head on straight once you hit Quidditch stardom. Merlin knows you'll have raving fangirls." She teased. He hugged her tight.
"I'll make sure you get season tickets." He whispered in her ear.
"Oye! We better be getting season tickets too!"
"And they better be box seats!" Fred and George exclaimed.
"Now enough snogging with my girl and let's play a game of exploding Snap!" George put his arm around Mercy and they returned to the compartment. Oliver and Fred were staring each other down in the final showdown of the Exploding Snap tournament when the compartment became freezing cold. It was only then that they noticed that the train wasn't moving. Everyone began shivering. Mercy stared in awe as she saw her breath in front of her. Fred nudged her and told her to put her cloak on to keep warm to which she merely nodded and did as she was told. A dark figure passed them and Oliver pushed the door open to see what it was.
"Dementors?" he whispered.
"On the train?" Mercy asked, coming to stand next to him, apparently not feeling the cold as she'd dropped her cloak.
"Where's it going?"
"Could Black be on the train?" There was a bright light emitting from the compartment that the Dementor had just tried to enter and the Dementor shrieked and departed the train. A man came out of the compartment.
"Everyone, relax. It is being taken care of." He announced. "I am Professor Lupin. Everyone please take the time to eat some chocolate to regain warmth." He then headed in the direction of the conductor and students began talking animatedly. Word reached their group that Harry Potter had been in that compartment and had passed out.
When Oliver and Mercy turned back to their compartment, the other members were fighting over Mercy's remaining two chocolate frogs. With a roll of his eyes, Oliver flicked his wand and the frogs were split into eight equal pieces. George tossed Mercy her piece and the twins watched carefully to make sure she ate it, which caused her to glare at them. Everyone instantly felt warmth rush through their bodies as the chocolate slid down their throats.
"Well, at least this Lupin guy knows what he's doing." Angelina noted. They all nodded and the topic now turned to Sirius Black who they all had read about this summer. Kaite mentioned how things in the Ministry had been crazy since his escape, her parents both worked there and had been working overtime for weeks.
"How do you suppose he did it?" Mercy asked.
"Maybe he charmed a Dementor?"
"Definitely blew up his cell."
"You two are idiots." Angelina scolded. "The walls of Azkaban are much more intricate than you think. There are spells and enchantments that keep the prisoners there. Besides that, Dementors can't be charmed Fred. Honestly!"
"Well sorry Miss Know-It-All!" Mercy teased.
"Oh shut it! I read it from your paper last year." Angelina told her "You did a whole report on Azkaban for Lockheart. If I remember, he gave you an O." Mercy blushed.
"Shut it Ange, before I let some valuable information slip." She warned, causing Angelina to shut her mouth. The other girls giggled and the boys looked on confused. The train came to a halt and they rushed to the carriages. Once they reached the Great Hall and the Sorting was complete, Dumbledore announced that the Dementors would stay in Hogwarts as guards against Sirius Black. The food appeared and it was only then that Mercy realized how hungry she was. Instantly, she began fighting George for a pork chop that they both claimed looked the best. George ended up winning and Mercy laid claim to a less appealing pork chop. Oliver merely shook his head as George ranted about how good his food was. He was used their antics every year. He was just waiting for-
"Wood!" there it was, "Make George stop! He's chewing with his mouth open and it's making me lose my appetite! It's not even dessert yet! I can't be puking before the pies come out!" Mercy whined. Oliver reached behind Mercy and smacked George upside the head. Mercy gave him a smug grin and George rubbed his head.
"Can't fight your own battles?" Fred teased.
"Can too! It just hurts more when Wood does it." She grinned and stuffed her mouth with mashed potatoes. Once dessert was served, Mercy was the first to grab a slice of lemon meringue pie.
"And the verdict?" Oliver asked with an eyebrow raised. She swallowed and dabbed her mouth with her napkin.
"Not bad…better than last year…but I'm still a better cook." She told him seriously.
"Yeah, you missed some killer fudge this summer Wood." Katie told him. "I don't know where she learned this stuff, but cooking is this girl's forte." Mercy shrugged and took another bite of her pie.
"Not to mention that her steaks are amazing."
"And the homemade chips!"
"Okay guys, I get it. I missed some good food this summer." Oliver laughed. "The question is though…will Mercy bless me with her peanut butter-Hershey kiss cookies for my birthday this year?" He questioned.
"If you're a good boy." She tapped his cheek roughly. Dumbledore told them all to head up to their dormitories. It was only then that Mercy saw Percy and she jumped up and hugged him, purposely embarrassing him in front of all of the first years. She'd made sure to do so since he became prefect and now that he was Head Boy she was going to make his life a living hell.
"You really need to stop doing that." Oliver told her as Percy walked away with a tinge of pink on his cheeks.
"Yeah, you know Perc has always had a thing for you." Fred piped in.
"Bloody drives him nuts when you do that." George added.
"It's fun to watch him get embarrassed and besides, I can't get detention for hugging him." She said, pointedly looking at the twins. "I heard all about the big headed boy badge. Bloody brilliant! Why couldn't you have waited until we were here?" She questioned, causing the twins to laugh and put their arms around her as they walked towards the portrait of the Fat Lady.
"Because mum made us give it back early."
"Don't worry my dear. We'll get him good."
"And then you can make him feel all better."
"After, of course, you tell us who you fancy."
"Excuse me?"
"It's only fair. If you fancy Percy, then we'll have to start making fun of you too."
"I do NOT fancy your brother."
"Want to rephrase?" Oliver teased, causing Mercy to blush.
"Alright, so I had a thing for Charlie. But he was just my mate. Besides, Percy is too uptight for me."
"So who does our dear Mercy fancy this year?"
"You, George. I fancy you!" She exclaimed dramatically, causing George to puff out his chest and give the other boys an 'I told you so' look. She left the boys in the Common Room and headed up to her room where the other five girls in her year were already getting ready for bed.
"Welcome back Mercy." Katherine Burns said with a smile. Mercy waved back and returned the sentiment. She and Katherine got along, but Mercy had a hard time relating to the girls in her year, preferring the girls on the team, or the boys.
Not too much to say except please let me know what you think. This is also on , but I wanted to see how it does here too.
I already have like 5 chapters written for this, and there's also a HUGE possibility for a sequel so R/R!
