AN: Hope you enjoy reading this fic as much as I'm enjoying writing it. Please review to let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

"Anastasia Morgana Artemisia Dearborn! A Lady is never late, you had better be ready to leave," my mother yelled – though I was sure a Lady never yelled either – up the stairs.

My name is a bit of a mouthful, but I'm rather fond of it. Everyone in the wizarding world has of course heard of Morgana, and many think it somewhat presumptuous of my parents to name me after her. Much to my chagrin no one thinks that of the name Artemisia, even though she was the first ever witch to become the Minister for Magic, and she successfully campaigned for Britain to host its first Quidditch World Cup!

No famous witch has ever gone by the name Anastasia – well, no famous witch yet. I'm hoping to change that.

I grabbed my trunk and threw on my black woollen robe before sending a last fond glance round my room. I wouldn't be here again until Christmas, and although Hogwarts was rather brilliant, I'd still miss my home.

I descended the stairs into the foyer to find my parents awaiting me, looking regal as ever in their smart robes.

"Got everything, dear?" my father asked with an endearing smile, pulling out his wand to levitate my trunk for me.

"Of course, dad. This is my sixth year of packing after all!" I joked lamely, heading towards the front door.

"We're going via the Potters' actually, Ana darling," my mother said, gesturing me towards our fireplace.

I suppressed the urge to sigh. Dorea and Charlus Potter are my godparents, and I truly loved them. They have a son my age, and I'm relatively certain everyone anticipates us to fall in love and get married and then Dorea and Charlus will truly be able to call me daughter, and my parents will get the son of their dreams.

However, James Charlus Potter is an unruly, narrow-minded miscreant.

Okay, that's maybe a little unfair of me – but only a little. You see, we were always best friends; we grew up together after all. To some extent I think we also expected we'd end up together when we were kids.

Things changed when we went to Hogwarts though.

It's interesting how the house system works really.

You see, for some reason, Hufflepuff is often portrayed as the weak house, or the boring house, or the house for leftovers even. I disagree. Helga's house selects the patient, hardworking and loyal individual – all admirable traits.

Ravenclaw is for the naturally intelligent, but that really means very little in my opinion. The identity speaks nothing of attitude to work or friends. I almost feel bad for Ravenclaws, they're always simply expected to be academically brilliant, they hardly ever get due recognition for good grades. If a Ravenclaw gets an O, well, they get an O, so they should. However, ever seen a Gryffindor get an O? I can guarantee you don't tend to miss the accompanying spectacle: showering of praise and points, cheers around the class… Honestly, it's almost embarrassing.

Actually, Gryffindor as a whole is pretty embarrassing. The only trait they're selected for is bravery. As nice as that is… well, bravery can only get you so far in life. Actually, maybe not so far. Brashness and boldness don't seem to amount to longevity.

Finally, there's Slytherin.

People say that there hasn't been a dark witch or wizard who wasn't in Slytherin. Now, I've done some research, and that's true. However, not all Slytherins are advocates of the Dark Arts! Take Dorea Potter for instance, she was as proud a Slytherin as you'll ever find. But people still insist it's an evil house – people can be an ignorant bunch.

Slytherin's are ambitious. They're cunning and perceptive and strive for greatness; plenty of the witches and wizards that grace chocolate frog cards were Slytherin.

You're probably wondering why this is so important to me.

The Potter's are a traditional Gryffindor family, all for chivalry and bravery, with a tendency for flair in everything they do. James was an easy sort for Gryffindor's old hat – I'm still not convinced it even touched his head.

The Dearborn's, on the other hand, have always been more reserved than the Potter's. Our ancestry is just as distinguished as the Potter's, rivalling even the Malfoy's for wealth, but we're still less set in our ways. There's no particular correlation between Dearborn's and Hogwarts House, just loyalty to the family. Always unfailingly loyal to the family. I suppose if anything, Dearborn's as a rule would be best suited to the patient and loyal house of Hufflepuff.

You might have guessed it already, but I'm a Slytherin. And for this, James resents me.

Now, as I've mentioned, James' own mother was also a Slytherin. I think he feels bad for her, but then again, she was born a Black. It wasn't as if she had any choice in the matter. I suppose in James' eyes she redeemed herself by marrying the honourable Charlus Potter. But most of the time he just conveniently forgets his mother was also a Slytherin.

Either way, over the past five years at Hogwarts, our relationship has changed a lot. We used to be the best of friends, and for our first and second years, we mostly remained so. We didn't see much of each other at school apart from the odd shared lesson, but then over summer and Christmas it was as if nothing had ever changed between us. Those are fond memories for me.

In our third year, James started to become aware that girls were, well, girls. He grew more awkward around me, and started fawning over Lily Evans, one of his housemates. Unfortunately for everyone involved, Evans was best friends – kind of like how James and I were at one point I suppose – with Severus Snape, one of my housemates. Those two were inseparable. James resented him, they'd never got on, Snape was quite frankly a little odd. His jealousy and resentment of Snape escalated, and soon he and his Gryffindor pals had started a feud with Slytherin house.

Honestly, all this over a girl.

And that girl wasn't even me, his once best friend.

Basically, I like to attribute centuries of rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin to Lily Evans. Petty, I know. Also entirely senseless… but Merlin, is she annoying!

All in all, James has had no time for me since third year, and that hurts. So much for his Gryffindor chivalry and bravery, he wasn't even man enough to remain my friend.

No longer suppressing the urge to sigh, I grabbed a handful of floo powder, stepped into the luminous green flames and called out, "Potter Manor!"

Strangely enough, Dorea wasn't there to greet us as usual. I glanced around their foyer, curiously. My parents followed me through the floo and, seemingly unsurprised by Dorea's absence, strolled through the hallway to one of the reception rooms, with me begrudgingly traipsing behind them.

Dorea rushed into the room we'd seated ourselves in, looking slightly flustered.

"Morpheus! Jeanna!" she greeted my parents with a warm embrace and kiss on the cheek.

She turned to me and fondly patted my cheek, "Anastasia, darling, aren't you a sight for sore eyes!"

I sprang to my feet to embrace her tightly, "Oh, pish posh!"

"The boys have had me going potty this morning, but they should be ready to depart momentarily," she informed my parents.

As if on cue, a huge clunking followed by a crash echoed through the house, followed by three distinct guffaws. My mother and Dorea pursed their lips whilst my father smiled knowingly.

With a bang, the door swung open and in stepped three black haired men.

My mother floated towards the man at the rear, "Charlus, you're no longer one of the boys you know," she chuckled softly in greeting.

Charlus Potter beamed around the room, "Ah, my dear Jeanna, I may no longer be one of the boys, but Merlin am I overwhelmed by the beautiful women gathered in my home!"

With this he turned to me with an exaggerated bow, clasping my hand and gently lifting it to his lips.

I couldn't help but giggle at his theatrics – so maybe that Gryffindor chivalry could be quite charming.

"Boys!" Dorea spoke sharply across my giggles.

I looked across the room to where James Potter and Sirius Black were awkwardly shuffling in the doorway, dressed in muggle clothes. I'd forgotten that Black spent most of his holidays with the Potters. Dorea often refrained from mentioning her son to me, knowing how it still upset me at times.

James stepped forwards with a sheepish smile on his face, adjusting his glasses – a guilty tell of his – to greet my parents.

"Mr Dearborn, sir," he greeted my father, shaking his hand with mock formality.

Then, similarly to how Charlus had greeted me, he turned to my mother and kissed her hand, "Jeanna, my father was right about the beauty in this room!"

To my disgust, she laughed! "Oh James, charming as ever, you really mustn't be a stranger, you know."

To my satisfaction James had the decency to look slightly guilty at that, clearing his throat awkwardly, and glancing at me.

Fortunately my father chose this time to greet Black, "Sirius, isn't it? Pleasure to meet you again my boy."

Like James, Black also grasped my father's hand, however it was a more sincere gesture than James' and my father's routine.

"The pleasure is mine, Sir," Black said respectfully.

To my chagrin, Black also got my mother to giggle like a school girl.

The adults, choosing not to comment on my lack of interaction with my peers, thank Merlin, quickly saw to us leaving.

The drive to King's Cross was awkward to say the least. Charlus had a new car, which we could all comfortably fit in – the joys of magic. However, I was sat with James and Black in the back, with the adults at the front, extoling the virtues of magically adjusted muggle vehicles.

Finally, we found ourselves on Platform nine and three quarters, where the Hogwarts Express was gleaming in the station. After many hugs and promises to write, and tears from Dorea and my mother, and warnings from my father, I found myself boarding the train with James and Black in tow.

We'd been a little on the late side in the end after James had accidentally let out his owl, Urog – stupid name for an owl, I know – when we were still in muggle London. That boy is incapable of even the most basic functions. As such most students had already boarded the train and the carriages were rather crowded.

"Right –"

"So –"

James and I had spoke at the same time; he smiled awkwardly at me.

"Prefect duties," I said by way of excusing myself, and quickly set off to the front of the train without another word of goodbye to the troublesome pair. Black might have muttered something, but I couldn't be sure.

I slipped into the prefect's carriage, an apologetic smile gracing my face.

"Sorry I'm a little late," I started to say, looking around for the Head Boy and Girl badges. Frank Longbottom of Gryffindor and Eugenia Greengrass of Slytherin… interesting.

Frank Longbottom, a pretty reasonable chap, just glanced up at me with a shrug before turning back to the seventh year Gryffindor Prefect, Alice Prewett, who was blushing prettily. No doubt she was falling for that Gryffindor daring.

Eugenia stepped forwards and embraced me, "Oh Anastasia it's so good to see you! I've not seen you since the charity ball hosted by the Nott's, and that was at the beginning of August! I didn't even know I was Head Girl then! Merlin, Head Girl!"

Eugenia and I had been friends since my first year at Hogwarts, she was in the year above me, and I suppose she had always looked out for me, especially following the rift between me and James in third year.

"Congratulations, you deserve it!" I exclaimed happily, pretending not to see the sour look shot our way by both Alice Prewett and Marjorie Wheeler of Hufflepuff. I didn't blame them, it must be tough not getting what you feel you've earned.

Frank called us all to attention and I sat down in the last remaining seat, which was fortunately between the two Slytherin fifth year Prefects, Regulus Black and Tallulah Macmillan. I whispered a congratulations to Regulus who smiled fondly back at me, his grey eyes shining with amusement. He'd always thought I put too much stock in school achievements, which was rich, considering how seriously he took winning the Quidditch cup, but we all have our flaws.

I listened to Longbottom and Eugenia with half an ear, more interested in looking around at my fellow Prefects. Unlike last year, Lily Evans was not sitting next to Snape – unsurprising considering the events following our DADA OWL last year. The two of them were sitting as far away from each other as possible, determinedly not looking at one another.

Remus Lupin, Lily's Gryffindor partner and one of James' best friends, was sat looking particularly tired, and not remotely interested in the Prefect's meeting, which was rather unusual for him.

"So, for the first week of patrols, your partner will be in the same house as you, but a different year, that seems the best way to help out the fifth years,' Eugenia said, and I gave her my attention, 'so we'll start right away. If the sixth years could partner with the fifth years to do the first patrol of the train, and then the seventh years you can stick with your usual partner and do the last hour please, remember to direct first years to Hagrid! That'll be all then, is that right, Frank?"

Frank nodded and turned to us all with a smile, "any problems, let us know, we'll stay in this carriage."

The Hufflepuff Prefects were the first to depart, followed by the Gryffindors ("being a Prefect is such a huge responsibility, it's important that you pay attention to what I say and do! I don't want it to get back to Frank that I've neglected to properly instruct you," Lily started to rant to those poor fifth years).

Snape walked over to where I was sat with Regulus and Tallulah. Tallulah was an irritating girl, and Regulus was a good friend of mine, but I know that Regulus was also one of Snape's only friends, and Snape would probably hex Tallulah if he had to listen to her ramblings for an entire hour. With a resigned frown I nodded at him, ruffled Regulus' hair, much to his disgust, and gestured to the corridor to Tallulah, who smiled shyly.

"So, Tallulah, congratulations, your parents must be happy," I smiled politely at the girl as we ambled down the corridor of the train.

"You can call me Tilly you know."

"Ah, that's great."

"Thanks by the way."

I quirked an eyebrow at her, imploring her to elaborate.

"I know you would have liked to patrol with Regulus, I mean, who wouldn't want to spend a whole hour with him!" She blushed and looked at me sideways, as I nodded in empathy.

"He is certainly an attractive boy, but Regulus and I are just friends, Tilly," I stated.

She seemed to consider that and I watched a small smile form on her face, before she frowned again, "I know that you're just friends, but I'm not convinced he considers you as just a friend… By Salazar you pair would be a rather handsome couple, wouldn't you?"

I laughed at that, shaking my head.

She sighed in frustration, "he'd never look at me, not when he's actually friends with people like you. Did you know, we've never actually had a conversation unrelated to schoolwork? I suppose he's a bit cold at times… though he always seems happy enough to talk to you… although, how silly of me! I mean, oh sorry… no offense, I suppose… but you and he both lost your best friend to Gryffindor didn't you, I always forget that, makes sense you two would have something to bond over."

Her rambling continued, and I'm really not sure what her point was. Soon she was talking about Emmeline Vance's aunt who'd just been promoted in the Department of International Cooperation and how she overheard Emmeline talking to Sirius Black earlier and that she's clearly got an awfully high opinion of herself overnight.

Just as I was seriously regretting letting Snape patrol with Regulus, I heard a seriously piercing shriek which at least put an end to Tallulah's ramblings.

I turned around only to spot James Potter standing in front of Lily Evans, with a rather insufferable smirk on his face. Black was in fits of laughter, and Lupin was stood awkwardly looking like he wished the floor swallow him whole. I noticed Peter Pettigrew last, who looked like he was catching Lupin up on what had transpired. Those four boys were always up to something, they'd even named themselves the Marauders, I mean, seriously? How conceited.

I made to just move on, but Tallulah frowned, "shouldn't we interfere?"

I sighed, "those Gryffindors are always at it, two of them are Prefects, in theory they should be able to sort it out themselves."

Unfortunately that was when Black noticed me, "not brave enough to step in, Dearborn?" he goaded.

I scowled at him, flicking my long dark hair over my shoulder, "Lupin, Evans, I'd have expected the pair of you to set a better example to the fifth years. You wouldn't want this to get back to Longbottom after all…"

Blimey, Lily actually winced at my words! She took a deep breath and stared at me levelly, before sighing and slipping past the Marauders.

Lupin, on the other hand, looked defeated and guilty. He didn't meet my eye as I resolutely tried not to look at James or Black. I could feel the heat of James' glare.

"There was no need to be so rude, Ana," he said in a low tone. I flicked my gaze to his, and was hurt to see the anger in his eyes. I fought to keep my composure, painfully aware of Tallulah watching the entire encounter with avid interest.

"My apologies, I suggest you go back to your compartment now," I looked them up and down, noting they were still in their muggle clothing, "and I'd recommend changing into your robes."

Black rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to retort, but Lupin cut across him, "I'll just finish up my rounds then join you guys in a bit, won't be long."

With that, Black let out a frustrated huff and marched off, Pettigrew in tow. James' glare softened on me, and I almost thought he would apologise. Instead he gave a half shrug, before loping after the others, leaving me with Lupin and Tallulah.

I gave him a small smile in thanks, and he returned it. "Look, I know things are…" he trailed off, glancing at Tallulah, before shaking his head.

"Nevermind," and with that he joined the Marauders, I noted how he didn't complete his rounds after all, but shrugged it off.

"I take it you and Potter are no longer betrothed?"

Tallulah's question baffled me.

"We were never betrothed, Macmillan."

I walked back the way we had come, not caring if she was following.

I had a feeling that this would be a long year.


Thanks for reading!