A/N: I do not own anything related to the Harry Potter world, only my original characters and plot.

Against All Odds (A Marauder's Story) –1 A New Day, A New Life

Samantha's POV

I felt weak as I collapsed down onto the hotel bed, staring vacantly up at the ceiling. Memories began to twirl in my head like dancing ballerinas. Soon, I would be leaving everything behind.

I couldn't live that life anymore. If I stayed then there would have never been a chance like this again. I would be in it for life.

I gave a sigh and wondered what life would be like at Hogwarts. I would be starting as a 5th year into a whole new school, where nobody knew me, and where everyone would already have their groups of friends. My stomach did flip as I thought about how I would be the 'new girl'.

I looked at the clock on the wall and saw that I needed to leave within an hour in order to get to King's Cross on time. I stood up at the sound of a vehicle pulling up outside. Through the water stained window I could see a light blue standard car, my escape.

I began to pull my suitcase out of the room at the Leaky Cauldron; my thoughts still fixed on school. Dumbledore has been headmaster at Hogwarts for several years now and was said to be the best.

He said that he would be able to protect me better than anyone else. Thoughts of the growing power of certain wizards entered my head as I pulled my stuff down the stairs. I'm not good enough. I'm good, only because I hold an advantage under my sleeve, but still . . . I'm afraid. He's stronger than me, much stronger and more powerful.

I reached the bottom of the stairs to find two well-dressed wizards, their faces bland and easily forgettable. Not even a birthmark on either of their faces. But it won't have mattered; I was too engrossed in self pity. Then with one final tug of my trunk it was off the stairs landing with a large thud. They both turned from talking to the landlord and gave me sincere smiles.

"Hello there… you must be Samantha Lascano from America, right?" said the taller of the two wizards. He was tall and wiry with ash blonde hair.

I gave a slight nod and answered, "Yes, that's me." I gestured to my trunk and said, "My stuff's all ready to go." I didn't even bother to look up, keeping my line of vision to the floor.

The wizard who spoke then picked up my trunk and headed confidently toward the door. I quickly went to the landlord and said my thanks and followed the two wizards out the door. The trip to the station passed by in a blur of silence and sleep.

I couldn't help but feel self aware of my every move. I felt awkward. My loose spirally chestnut hair didn't stay where it was supposed to. My height was painfully average. I sometimes wished I was a boy, and then I wouldn't have to be so obsessive and insecure about such things.

My companions smiled and told me not to worry when they saw me fidgeting. They assured me Dumbledore was the best and that nobody would try to hurt me while the Professor was there. I couldn't help but smile and feel better at their confidence in Dumbledore.

They were right, I had always looked up to Dumbledore; he was an amazing alchemist and wizard. There was no reason to doubt him now. I smiled at the thought of him being an alchemist. I had been studying alchemy for five years now, five long years that ringed within me like eternity.

As the train station came into view I suddenly felt sick. My stomach was tight and chest felt chained to the floor. I hadn't given this much thought. I would be in a new school and I wouldn't know anyone. My school studies weren't exactly traditional. I didn't know how far behind I would be. The last time I had spoken to Dumbledore he had said that catching up wouldn't be a problem and that I was actually ahead. Still, I couldn't help but worry. I had known the same people the majority of my life and I still couldn't say that I actually knew them.

I took a deep breath and put on a dark pair of sunglasses so that no one could see my eyes. A type of subconscious protection from the uncertainty I felt. I was completely out of place going to a new school and in entirely different country.

For some reason after that everything was a blur and the next thing I knew I was running through a brick wall between platforms 9 and 10 with a trolley. I couldn't believe I just went through a brick wall . . . I thought they were joking and making fun of me when they told me what I had to do. British wizards certainly enjoyed their oddities.

An old red steam train was suddenly in front of me with hundreds of parents and students lining the platform. Animals in their cages hissed and growled at each other when placed too closely to each other. I turned my trolley but before I could get out of the way of the entrance another person going through smashed into the front corner of mine. The loud crash caused the person's owl to shriek in its cage. A tall pale boy with messy jet black hair grabbed it quickly before it could topple over onto the floor.

"James Potter, I told you not to run through so fast!" A short thin woman stormed straight behind the unsuspecting boy. She had almond-shaped green eyes that are like two chunks of jade which bore a contrast to her pin straight black hair. Her wide chin clenched as she looked down at him.

"Sorry, about that." James mumbled as he placed his still shrieking owl back on his trolley.

The boy, however, seemed unfazed. He just turned to me flashing a bright smile. His eyes were as brilliant as his mother's. I hesitated but just nodded and quickly turned away and made my way further down the station towards the train. My first chance at making a possible friend and I blew it with in less than a minute, wonderful.

As I made my way threw I couldn't help but look back at two very cute boys on the platform loudly greeting each other, one of which was one James Potter. It took a while to notice that his friend, the neater but rougher of the two had seen me staring. He gave a very friendly smile that seemed playful. I was extremely embarrassed by this and quickly entered the train, grateful the entire time that I had my sunglasses on. I couldn't believe I was just staring at him.

I quickly opened a compartment at the very front and rushed in. Before I could sit down and relax I heard a soft, smooth voice from behind me that made me jump in surprise.

"Do you need help with your trunk?"

His voice sounded as smooth as silk, and I melted inside.

To my great embarrassment the only word that came out of my mouth was, "What?" as I turned around to see who had spoken.

He looked about my age, yet he had the eyes of someone who was 60 years old. Despite this he had a handsome, sweet, and down to earth appeal. He smiled at me nervously. His light brown hair was slightly messy but it looked good, as it gave him a relaxed look. My mind scrambled to make sense of my sudden irrational attraction to him. Being around so many new boys as instantly made me boy crazy. I guess it was the lack of rivalry and bitterness.

"I said, do you need help with your trunk?" he continued in mild sort of voice as if he was uncertain of me.

"Oh yeah, I could use some help," My voice was little too high pitched which shook what little confidence I had left in me for the day. As he helped me with the heavy trunk I couldn't help but noticed that he was a lot stronger than he looked.

"Thanks," I breathed out. "My name's Samantha Lascano, you?" I mustered out in a very friendly and upbeat voice, hoping that he would like me.

"Remus Lupin." he said, a little surprised. He sat across from me and looked down obviously embarrassed. The slight signs of a blush betrayed him. His demeanor showed what a kind and gentle person he was. I looked down hoping my impression of him was at least close.

"I'm new here to Hogwarts," I said trying to help him not feel so embarrassed and to break the deafening silence, "I'll be starting in my 5th year. I heard that Hogwarts is the best school in all of Europe."

"I think you'll like it here," he said a little shy stealing a glance at me before looking back out the window. "The teachers are great."

I quickly smiled at this, "That's great 'cause I was a little worried. I have been going originally to another school and I wasn't really sure which school was best for learning witchcraft and wizardry. I –" I then stopped and laughed at the quick speed I was talking. "Sorry about that," I said still awkwardly laughing. I could feel my cheeks growing hot. "I tend to talk a lot and ramble on time to time." I automatically started to play with a silver necklace with three dragons encircling a pearl like jewel.

"That's alright." He said quickly. I could then see that he was smiling and actually looking straight at me this time.

Before I knew it we had become fast friends. I felt relieved that I had at least had someone to talk to. After a while of talking about candy and Quidditch the compartment door opened. Of course it was none other than the two boys I saw earlier along with a smaller chunkier looking boy behind them. They all looked very surprised to see me there. I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable and unwanted at that moment.

"Hey, I was wondering when you guys were going to show up! This is Samantha Lascano. From America, right?" I then gave a sight nod fidgeting with my hair. "She's new . . ." He then stopped a second to think about this and added, "So be nice." He said this in a serious tone more at the two taller boys that he was staring down.

"Sam," he turned to me "These are my trouble maker friends. James Potter, Sirius Black, and Peter Pettigrew."

Each of the boys raised their hand as Remus said their name holding back a chuckle. The one with the neater looking hair, James, gave a big grin that looked like definite trouble. Looking at him more closely he had broad shoulders for someone his age. He looked well defined under his uniform. His friend, Sirius, had a leaner look to him but was still very handsome and lacked the awkwardness than many teenage boys have as they mature. But it was his stunning green-grey eyes that caught me.

"Hello there Sammie. So do you know what house you're in-" Sirius was then stopped to hear a very loud pop followed by a high pitched girly shriek yelling, "Potter! Black! I can't believe you!"

Sirius then looked back at me and Remus saying, "Well, I guess I'll leave you two alone. Oh, and don't worry we'll take care of your prefect duties for you man. Nerdy Head Boy and Lily-kins will likely make us do it as punishment any way. And I wouldn't want to tear you away from such a pretty catch you got there."

Sirius gave an evil grin and a wink before they all took off to a very angry sounding girl. Remus began to blush at the boy's last words. I just laughed at the lunacy that I knew I was getting myself into. Remus looked at me surprised at first, then gave a wide relieved grin and let out a soft chuckle.

The hours seemed to pass too quickly as the train slowed down to a stop. Both of us walked out talking excitedly. Below us down a mossy slope near the train platform were carriages carried by dead looking horses with the flesh melted off that I knew all too well. Thestrals, the horses you could only see if you had seen death. It was best to ignore them.

I noticed the same boys that I saw earlier. Of course the tall, neater dark haired boy saw me . . . again. I couldn't help but feel that it would be best to avoid them for now. I jumped into the nearest carriage without looking. I peeked in to see two girls. Damn, I did it again!

One girl was a redhead who would be best described as pleasant. Everything about her was pleasant to the eye from the shimmering highlights in her red hair, her bright green eyes, to her clear pale skin.

"Sorry about that. She has a habit of barging into places without looking. I'm thinking of putting a bell on her, so we can at least be warned." Said Remus poking his head in behind me. "Hey Lily."

"Yeah, sorry about that, don't mind do you?" I said still laughing at myself in embarrassment.

"Hey Remus and no, not at all. My name's Lily Evans. Oh you look new, and I'm in Gryffindor by the way. And this is Emma Whatson from Ravenclaw." She said in a very sweet and friendly voice. Emma had two large greedy looking eyes. Her hair was luxurious and chestnut brown twisted into a knot at right side near the shoulder. She seemed short but had a graceful build. Her skin was even paler than Lily's.

I looked out the window and saw the two black haired boys coming our way with a chubby little brunette boy waddling behind… he was smiling broadly at me.

"Do you know when this thing is going to go? I'm kind of hungry!" Once I said this, the carriage jolted leaving the three boys to find another. Thank goodness, this is just too much too fast.

"Ask and you shall receive!" Said Emma in her best manly voice she could muster. We started laughing again after everyone was thrown back in their seats as the horses picked up speed.

After a few minutes talking with them I was able to learn more about the different houses and that I would much rather avoid going to Slytherin. The sorting seemed a little odd to but interesting. As the castle grew closer my heart began to beat wildly.

I couldn't remember feeling so excited and, oddly enough...safe.

I wouldn't be used here, hopefully.

NEXT TIME:

Samantha gets sorted & gets welcomed into her new house

A/N: Beta-ed by one extremely wonderful DarkGarnetRose