September 1st, 1976.

To most people in England, it was just another average day, but for Gemma O'Malley it was the beginning of another school year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She was currently sitting in the back of her parent's car, dozing off here and there on the trip up from Cornwall and listening to the radio as she nervously tapped her foot on the floor. The ride always seemed so much longer than it was; dragging on as they maneuvered through the busy streets of London towards Kings Cross Station.

Her mother had been talking a lot on the trip but she'd tuned out a while ago, the conversation lost and now reduced to tales of random women at the hair salon and how her father had wished he could have made it for the trip up. As if he was terribly sad that work had 'gotten in the way' for the sixth year running and he was heartbroken. Gemma knew the truth even if her mother thought hiding it in lies made her better off, and she really didn't have enough energy to care anymore.

Having a father that hated what you were was hard enough to deal with, and she wasn't about to just stop being a witch to placate him.

"Gemma, darling...we're here."

Snapping from her thoughts and sitting up in her seat again, she looked out at the large train station as she pointed towards the trolleys. "Just drop me there, Mum, would you?"

And so she did. Both of them got out of the car with a long stretch, Gemma fixing her jumper and going to the boot to retrieve her trunk and bag to stack on the trolley. Rushing back to the backseat, she grabbed her owl's cage and put him on top of her things before turning back to her mum.

"I'll write, Mum...I promise."

"Once a month, at least...please. I always miss you so when you're gone," her mother's hand brushed along her cheek, bending slightly to kiss her on the forehead and then hugging her tightly, "The house is so dreadfully empty when you're not there."

Nodding and pulling back, she gave her mum a small grin and then grabbed for her trolley once again. "I will, promise! Just keep an eye out for Winnie."

"I will. Have fun and keep up your grades," her mum stood by the curb as she began to push her way towards the train station, "You've made us very proud, Gemma."

With another quick nod, she smiled once more and then started to fall away into the crowd with one last yell back. "Bye Mum!"

"Goodbye darling!"

Giving another wave over her shoulder, she kept up with the pace of the chaotic people rushing in and out on their way to work and tried to not drop anything off her trolley. Making her way towards Platform 9 ¾ was always a fun experience; people pointing and staring oddly at Winnie, Gemma reminding herself that she could have been part of that world had Dumbledore not arrived at her house six year ago. To think of being a muggle who didn't understand or even know that magic existed seemed beyond preposterous at this point and she could barely remember being part of that world at all.

Pushing harder and speeding up as she was jostled slightly, she gave a long sigh and tried to calm Winnie as a shout rang out behind her. Turning to find the voice, she spotted a schoolmate as he came rolling up beside her. "Hey, Gemma!"

"Hey Remus," she smiled, happy to see a familiar face as they trudged along together, "This place is absolutely mental this morning."

He nodded, laughing a little as another person ran into him. "I think that's about the hundredth time I've been smacked into, honestly. Faster we get to the platform, faster I can save myself from bumps and bruises."

"Aye aye, Captain – lead the way!" Gemma joked, both of them slowly nearing Platform 3 as they sped up, careful not to hit anyone with their trolley's as they went. "So...how was your summer Remus? Get up to anything fun?"

He shrugged, shaking his head slightly. "Just normal, really...nothing that exciting. Yours?"

"Pretty much the same really – nothing really fun to do in Cornwall."

"Well aren't we an exciting duo," he laughed, excusing himself as he rammed into a portly man who bumbled and moved away.

"Oh yes, your regular couple of party animals," Gemma teased, stopping to wait for a group of school children to move through as she pushed back her hair, "So nothing then? No fun romps through the country or anything?"

Remus made a face as if that was silly and she giggled a little as they began to move again. "As if I would romp...that's more of a Sirius thing after all." She laughed in agreement, calming Winnie once more as they neared Platform 5. "Did you read anything good over the summer?"

"Oh yeah...of course! I read some more Austen and I really loved Count of Monte Cristo..."

"If it's not my two most favorite people!" An arm suddenly wrapped around her shoulders, Gemma stifling a shout of surprise as Marlene's face came into full view with a grin stretched across it. "Or, well...two people I know. So, let me guess, I bet you two are talking about books."

They both laughed, Marlene guessing it right on the nose. "Good morning to you too, Marlene. And yes, you interrupted an enthralling talk about things that you absolutely hate."

"Well don't you seem peachy this morning, Gems. Has she been this bubbly since you found her, Remus?"

"Oh yeah, she's been absolutely jumping with joy," he joked, smiling and sending her a wink as his name was suddenly shouted behind them, "Hey! It's Peter...I guess I'll see you both at the feast then?"

Nodding, she watched him turn to fall back with his mate and gave a wave. "Yeah, of course; bye Remus!"

"See ya later," Marlene fell into step with her after Remus escaped her grasp and gave a long, overdramatic sigh, "Thank Merlin he's gone – I'm dying for some girl talk after that blasted, bloody, horrible summer."

Gemma snorted, staring at her mate like she was insane. "You were in Italy, Mar – how can that even begin being horrible?"

"Start with no contact; as you probably could tell, I never returned any of your letters. My stupid oaf of a brother kept burning them on Mum's command. She ordered no contact with the outside world and it slowly descended into hell."

"You're as dramatic as ever Marlene," she laughed, her friend throwing a quick smile as they kept pushing through the crowd, "And I'm sure it was absolutely thrilling not having any contact in a country where you don't speak the language."

"Your sarcasm is noted, my dear tiny friend. Any who; Fabian and I did-"

Gemma butted in, missing her mates more than she'd realized and never missing an opportunity to joke around. "You and Fabian what? Flew a kite? Took up basket weaving? Rode bicycles through Rome?"

"None of what you just said made any bloody sense to me."

"Stupid pureblood."

Marlene laughed, shooting her a playful glare. "Watch it, muggleborn – I'm ever powerful and all that nonsense that our big buddy V has been spreading."

"Oh yes, our most lovable V – anyway, you and Fabian finally get it together this summer? It's been long enough since you lot started flirting and sneaking around."

"Yes and no," her mate shrugged, Gemma looking at her for more of an answer, "Let's wait until we get to the compartment and then I can get all the girls opinions."

"Well, you've sparked my interest."

Marlene just gave another little shrug and then pushed her short blonde hair back behind one ear. Finally getting to the platform, Gemma noted all the earrings sparkling in her friend's ear and realized she'd gotten another two high up as she shook her head. Mar had always been the rebel of the group; odd colored hair, weird jewelry, and potions for every new beauty trend in Witch Weekly. She definitely kept things exciting in the Gryffindor girl's dorm.

After the crowd cleared a bit, Gemma and Marlene counted to three and then both ran towards the large brick wall and through it to the platform. The scarlet train greeted them with a loud whistle and she couldn't help the smile that graced her face knowing she was going home. Pushing through fellow students, she smiled and waved at a few people she knew before getting to the train and grabbing her things from the trolley.

"Time for my favorite part of the train ride," Marlene groaned, heaving her large bag up onto her shoulder before grabbing for her trunk, "hauling all my shit."

Gemma agreed with a low oof as she pulled her trolley down, "At least you can pick yours up, Mar; I always end up dragging it everywhere."

"That's because you're a tiny midget with absolutely no muscles."

Snorting, she smacked her mate in the back and they both began down the corridor. "Better than a giant with no boobs, isn't it?"

"That cut me deep Gems, real deep." Mar cracked a smile, both of them keeping an eye out for their other mates as they made their way through the crowd.

Finding an empty compartment, Gemma opened a window to let Winnie out to fly along the train and they separated to look for Mary and Lily. Stopping to talk to a few Hufflepuffs for a moment, she set off again down the train before feeling someone grab her arm. They pulled her into a compartment, slamming the door shut and pulling her down to the ground before she got a word in edgewise.

"Stay low."

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Just trust me."

James Potter's face was currently so close to hers that she could see an old scar shiny beneath the bridge of his glasses. Also that he could really do with a touch of moisturizer along his cheeks. Though, she kept staying low, as he had instructed, and waited a few minutes until he winked and then looked up and out of the door.

"Oh Lord, what did you do now, James? Isn't it a bit early to be getting into trouble already?" She sighed, fixing her hair back behind her ear as he gave her a big grin.

"Just a little prank, G...you know, to kick off the year and all."

Rolling her eyes, she looked back through the window to see if anyone was coming before looking back towards the otherwise empty compartment. "Where's your partner in crime, then? And why can't I leave? I didn't do anything wrong, after all."

"Sirius was off chasing after Rebecca Sneck the last time I spotted him, and I don't want you getting the blame for the prank." He said honestly, looking back at her for only a second before looking back out into the aisle.

She just laughed at him, getting comfortable on the floor and preparing for the wait. "Yes, because I'm a reigning terror of pranks and insanity."

"You did do that really brilliant one in fourth year, if I remember correctly," he smiled, sitting opposite her with their backs pressed into the cushions of the seats, "Mulciber never looked as pretty as he did that day."

"He did look gorgeous with those long blonde curls, didn't he? I think Rosier almost asked him out on a date."

They both laughed, Gemma remembering that day somewhat fondly as one of her rare days where she stepped out of line. "Your talent is wasted."

The door popped open a second later, Sirius stepping in without realizing they were beneath him and James grabbed him with a start and pulled him to the floor. The heavy weight of him landed mostly on her legs, Gemma pushing him off as James slammed the door shut again and Sirius sat there staring at them oddly.

"Were you two snogging in here?"

Rolling her eyes, Gemma stood to leave and escape the insanity of Black before James gave her a look that sent her back to her bum in a second. "Is that all you think about? Honestly...as if James and I would be snogging."

"Can't help it that I like a bit of fun, O'Malley," Sirius smirked, pushing back his hair, "And odder things have happened you know."

"You're ridiculous."

"I heard you're only mean to those you are dying to shag." He pushed on, teasing her like it was his job. And, honestly, she felt like it had been for the past six years of her life.

Shaking her head, she shot him a look and countered back with his logic painting a pretty picture. "Then you and Snape should just get it over with, really. I'm sure the sexual tension is just throbbing."

James snorted so hard she wondered if it hurt; his hand high in the air as she smacked it and a very proud look on his face. Giving Sirius a big toothy grin, she noticed something move near the window and spotted the prank. It was Evan Rosier with no hair and his head looking quite a bit bigger than the last time she'd seen him.

"Was that – Rosier?"

"Brilliant, yeah?" James looked like a kid at Christmas, bouncing up and down as the Slytherin started shouting at anyone who passed. "And see – he's out for blood, he is. Didn't want you getting hexed just for the hell of it."

Gemma laughed, "It's heartwarming, your concern."

"I know, I'm pretty brilliant, aren't I?"

Smiling with another laugh, she stood up and watched the big headed boy rush off down the corridor with people scurrying out of the way. Brushing off the back of her jeans, Gemma turned to finally escape the Marauder's compartment until James stopped her again.

Watching as he rustled around in his trunk, he handed over a big chocolate bar with a grin. "This is yours, milady."

"I didn't actually think you'd get it." She confessed, staring at the Honeyduke's Finest she'd be devouring later.

"Hey, you helped me pass Arithmancy last year. I should buy you a house or something."

"He does have the money to do that," Sirius joked, collapsing in his seat as she shook her head, "Make sure you get a nice pool, yeah?"

"I'll do that. Anyway, did you get that assignment done over the summer with my rubbish notes? I probably didn't take as many as you wanted, really."

James held up his hands like it was not an issue. "You take great notes, honestly. Should get a bloody reward for them. I'll have to buy you another bunch of sweets when we go to Hogsmeade for your help."

Gemma brushed it off, still not believing he remembered the chocolate promise from last year long enough to give it to her now. "That's not for months James, you don't need to worry about it."

"Just you wait, G, just you wait."

"I'm not even going to question why that sounded like you had a terrible idea brewing," she sighed, wanting to get away from the two masterminds before she ended up on the other end of their pranks, "I'm leaving now...don't go around making more Slytherin's bald, okay?

James nodded, giving her a smile. "I'll do my best."

"Good, I'll hold you to it," she slid open the door, remembering why she was wandering around the train and turned back to Sirius, "You didn't see Alice or Mary during your snog-athon, did you?"

"Yeah, I saw MacDonald. She was down by the loo." He yawned, pointing down the train as if she'd see her if she looked hard enough.

"Okay, thanks. I'll see you guys at the feast."

"Bye G!"

"Later O'Malley."

Leaving the boys behind, she made her way down the aisle and headed towards the loo where Sirius had spotted Mary. And, sure enough, she was still standing around. Though, Gemma noted, she had a good reason when she realized that her mate was talking to a tall, gangly Hufflepuff with a smile. Mary beamed at him, her full cheeks red as he squeezed her arm and then walked off. Gemma shouted down at her, Mary finding her and heading over a moment later.

"And just who was that, Miss MacDonald?" Gemma grilled her the second she came over, watching the boy leave and not recognizing him right off the bat. "A new fling?"

"What do you take me for, Gems? A harlot?" Mary joked, both of them turning to find their way back to the compartment as they laughed.

"Well, no matter what you are, I didn't recognize him. He isn't a sixth year, is he?"

"Nope, he's a very good looking fifth year." Mary smiled, nudging her in the side, "And so very sweet."

"Robbing the cradle then, are you?" Gemma teased, watching her mate shake her head with a laugh, "But you're right, he was cute."

Finding the compartment, they slid open the door and saw Marlene and Alice Griffiths waiting for them. Flopping down next to Alice, she happily took the piece of Drooble's Best Blowing Gum from her and popped it into her mouth as Mary sat with a happy sigh.

"What's up with your face, Mary?" Marlene stared at her oddly, flicking her in the nose as Mary smacked her back. "It's much too happy for the beginning of a school year.

"Just because you're always a sourpuss, Marlene –" Mary began, Mar soon cutting her off as Gemma sat back with a giggle.

"Who the hell says sourpuss? That sounds like something Slughorn would say."

"Shut up Marlene; would you rather I just call you a bitch?"

Marlene laughed loudly, the sound echoing in the compartment. "Ah yes, there's the Mary MacDonald we all know and love."

"What took you so long, Gemma?" Alice asked curiously, flipping through the Daily Prophet and probably only sitting with them because her boyfriend, Frank Longbottom, was off at the prefect meeting.

"I was kidnapped by James as he watched his prank go off without a hitch. And then was held hostage with Black until they deemed it appropriate for me to leave." She sighed, shrugging like it was no big deal.

"How'd Sirius look?" Marlene asked, grabbing a piece of gum from Alice and throwing her feet up on the seat next to Gemma. "Already get his first school day snog in?"

Gemma rolled her eyes. "Like he could even wait five minutes; Sneck was the victim this time. And why haven't you just gone and snogged him, Mar? God knows you've acted like you've wanted to since third year."

"Just because I'm intrigued by the Hogwarts broomstick doesn't mean I'm going to ride it." Her mate said, smacking her gum with a happy smile.

"That's a metaphor I never thought would be so disgusting." Alice stuck out her tongue, showing her disgust.

"You like it Al, admit it," Mary teased, "you are always riding Frank's broomstick."

"More things I never wanted to hear. Joyous day."

Gemma laughed at Alice's dismay, settling back into the cushions for some more rest. Listening to her mate talk, they all started spouting off advice to a lovesick Marlene as she divulged her problems with Fabian. Supposedly they'd shagged a few times over the summer when she got back last month, but he hadn't owled her back in days. It wasn't a common problem for someone as pretty as Marlene, so she was having a hard time trying to figure out what to do.

Doing her best to console her while only being half awake, Gemma barely had anything to offer to begin with knowing well enough that she'd never been in a relationship. Eventually, she finally fell asleep with her head resting against the cool window and her feet lying on Mary's lap across from her. The lull of the moving train along with the comforting feeling that she was going home, the nap came easy for her for the next few hours.


"Lily!" Gemma shouted when they'd reached Hogsmeade; the night so dark already but she easily spotted her ginger friend in an instant. She was standing up on a ledge with Remus as they ordered the first years around to where the were supposed to be going. The pain of being a prefect, it seemed, and something Gemma was thankful about everyday for not becoming one.

"Gemma!" Lily hopped down in a second, wrapping her up in a tight hug as people moved around them. "I'm so happy you're here; I've missed you!"

"It's only been a couple weeks Lily," she laughed, hugging her back all the same, "I don't think you missed me all that much."

"What? Are you saying a girl can't miss her best mate now?" Lily pulled back, laughing before shouting out at one of the kids.

"Nope, not allowed." Gemma joked, "How are the first years?"

"Tiny and have no sense of direction. I feel so sorry for the prefects that must've had us."

"Right? I still don't even know my left from my right; lucky I don't get lost every year." Lily laughed and then stooped to tell a girl were to go, sending her off towards the boats. Gemma looked up to where Remus was standing and gave him a smile, one he happily returned before she turned back to Lily.

A few more first years moved past them, going on and on about the Shrieking Shack as they looked around slightly in terror. Gemma rolled her eyes, surprised that anyone even cared about the old, dilapidated building when nothing ever happened. "Do people still talk about that?"

"Why not?" Lily asked, fixing her prefect badge as Gemma sighed. "I mean, it always scares the pants off the newer kids, right? They just want something to live in that old shack so they can stay up all night telling horror stories, is all. Doesn't hurt anybody in the end, right?"

"I s'pose not. Anyway, I better catch up with the carriages before I end up in one with Rosier and Snape or something."

Giving Lily one last hug, she waved back at Remus and then jogged off to find the girls. Getting to the carriages after a few minutes, she found the right one and opened the door to find someone sitting in her seat. 'Tall', 'dark', and 'slaggy' all came to mind as she stared up into the dark brown eyes of Florence Dubois.

"Sorry Gems – we've tried physically shoving her out, but she won't budge." Marlene said, holding her fingers up in a cross to ward off the demon girl. "Heavier than she looks."

"Look who's talking, McKinnon." Florence spat back, pushing her black hair behind her ear.

"Why are you even in this carriage Florence?" Gemma asked, annoyed and just wanting to get in the damn carriage with her mates. "You hate all of us as much as we hate you."

"I don't really care, do I? I missed mine so you'll have to find another."

Gemma moved to grab her and try to pull her out but Florence jerked away. "Just get out and grab another one, honestly – I want to sit with my friends!"

"No way in hell, Gemma. I'm comfortable and I'm not about to sit with a bunch of rubbish Hufflepuffs or something." Florence continued, snootily looking down her nose at Gemma as she glared back. "Go off and sit with the Slytherins or something; I'm sure they'd just love to have you."

Giving her another hard look, she had half a mind to grab for her wand and hex her silly but Mary waved her off. "Just leave it, Gems. The bitch always gets her way."

"One of these days you won't," she muttered, Florence smiling like she'd won a pot of gold, "I swear to God, you won't get everything you want."

"Like you can stop me."

Florence gave her one last bright smile before Gemma slammed the door in her face and stomped back towards the last few carriages. Sure enough, the first one she opened was chocked full of glaring Slytherin's, but she slammed the door closed as fast as she opened it and moved along. It seemed hopeless until she finally stumbled upon James and Sirius again, sitting happily with Peter and with one spot left.

"Can't stand being away from me, can you O'Malley?" Sirius smirked, winking at her as she rolled her eyes and fixed her uniform. "Didn't know you fancied me that much."

"Oh stuff it, Black, I don't have the patience for your mouth right now. Is it alright if I ride with you lot?" Gemma asked hopefully, "Florence planted her fat arse in my seat with the girls and I've got no other good options."

"Yeah, hop in." Peter's round face was happy as he agreed, helping her up into the seat next to him as she smiled back. "We've got plenty of room, after all."

"Thanks." Gemma gave him another small grin and slowly twirled her wand in her fingers until Sirius spoke up again and drew her eyes towards him.

"How was your magic free summer then?" He wondered, making her raise an eyebrow at the question. "Boring, I'm guessing."

"Seeing as you couldn't go an hour without your wand, yeah – I'm not that surprised you would think it boring," Sirius just smirked, his grey eyes dark as he stared back at her, "but I thought it was nice. Got a lot of reading done, saw a few films, and went to the lake with Lily."

He looked at her oddly. "Films?"

"Did you even attend Muggle Studies, Sirius? Or did you just block that class completely out?" She asked, James and Peter laughing as Sirius pulled a fag from his pocket.

"Can't say I paid that much attention," he admitted, lighting up his cigarette with a flick of the fingers, "Think that was my nap time."

Gemma rolled her eyes, not surprised in the least. "Of course it was."

"When am I ever going to need any of that?" Sirius countered, "It's like Arithmancy or Ancient Runes…pointless."

"What did you get up to this summer then?" Gemma asked, ignoring the fact that he just said two of her courses were pointless, "What do purebloods do for fun?"

"Make motorbikes fly." He gave a toothy grin, like he was proud of himself and his flying motorbike.

"Honestly? That sounds like a horrifying idea."

"You're just jealous."

Sirius leaned towards her after blowing smoke out the window; grey eyes flecked with blue and his lips pulled into his customary smirk. Gemma knew well enough that that look sent most girl's knees shaking and their hearts racing, but she was far too used to Sirius's ways by now for it to affect her. Though, she noted with a bit of uncomfortableness, it did make something flip nervously in her stomach this time.

"Jealous of what is sure to be your untimely death?" She asked, trying to forget about the butterflies flapping around in her stomach. "Oh yes, very jealous."

Sirius finally leaned back, fag dangling between his lips. "I'm a very safe flyer."

"I've seen you on a broom, Black," she thought of the old flying lessons they had, shaking at the thought, "I highly doubt that."

"You are pretty mad on a broom, mate." James popped in on the conversation, offering Gemma some sweets that she easily declined. "Killed a few birds in your time."

"Come on Prongs, you don't seem to mind it when I'm helping win matches." Sirius argued, Gemma laughing a little alongside Peter.

"I think I'm the one that's winning matches."

"If you didn't have a brilliant beater like me you'd have lost every match."

"Your head's grown over the summer mate," James smirked, looking at Sirius like it suddenly was huge. "I don't think that hat I knit you is going to fit."

"Finally master your knitting then?"

"On land and underwater." James grinned like a lottery winner.

Sirius snorted and patted him on the back. "Congratulations."

"You two are weird," Gemma interrupted, the carriage finally stopping to let them out. "Why anyone would fancy you is beyond me."

"I think it falls down to one thing." Sirius said as they got out, Gemma looking up at him expectantly as he stretched and put out his cigarette.

"Oh? And what, exactly, is that Black?"

He stooped down to look at her eye to eye and gave her a little wink. "We're fucking gorgeous."

Groaning, she fixed her robes as he laughed behind her and headed off to find her mates again. The boys kept in step behind her, following her up towards the Entrance Hall where all the girls were waiting along with an unhappy Florence that Gemma wanted to knock down the steps just this once.

"You've got a few lost puppies following behind you," Alice laughed, Frank standing with her and his arm wrapped tightly around her, "Run along boys, run along."

"Can we not hang around with our housemates?" James asked, appearing to be heartbroken as all the girls groaned. "Why don't you like us?"

"Maybe the fact that all our knickers ended up frozen last year." Marlene offered.

"Or because my bra ended up used as a quaffle launcher during your practices." Alice joined in.

"There's the time you hexed me too." Mary stared hard at James, tapping her foot on the ground.

"How many times do I have to apologize for that Mary?" James sighed, dragging a hand down his face like it was all her fault. It might've been her fault that she'd held a grudge this long, but Gemma knew the story well enough by now.

"Until I can't remember my hair turning into a giant spider and giving me a heart attack."

James groaned. "It was supposed to hit Snape!"

"Then aim better."

"It was first year!"

"You could cut the tension with a knife." Sirius was suddenly next to her, whispering in her ear and sending a slight shiver down her spine as she shot him a look.

Noticing Lily and Remus walking over a few minutes later, she sighed happily and reached out to grab her best mate. "Thankfully our lovely prefects have come to save us."

"The spider hair thing again?" Lily laughed, James and Mary not stopping long enough to notice they'd arrived. "Is this going to happen every year?"

"We all know how scarred she is now." Gemma snorted as Mary got even louder.

"Stop shouting you two!" Lily bellowed as loud as she could, both of them stopping dead in their tracks. "You're drawing too much attention to your petty argument."

"Ah look, Evans is here!" James was back in rare form in a snap second, sauntering over to Lily as Gemma looked on. "Hello pretty lady."

"Did you develop a twitch over the summer Potter?" Lily asked, Gemma realizing that James was trying to lay some moves on her again.

"No, that was me winking! I thought it was sexy and seductive and completely irresistible!"

"Looks more like a fly flew into your eye mate." Sirius pushed him in the shoulder, James smacking him back as Gemma rolled her eyes.

"Shut up Sirius." James spat back.

"It's true Potter, you looked slightly demented."

"I hate you all. I'm transferring to Hufflepuff...that's how much I hate you."

The group laughed before finally heading inside, Lily's arm looped with hers as they walked into the Great Hall and stared up at the night sky. Sliding onto benches at the Gryffindor table, they all waited until the first years showed up and the sorting would finally begin.

McGonagall went through her usual speech after things had started, explaining to the first years on how the sorting would go. Gemma could remember when she was that small, scared to death of a large talking hat that seemed to have a permanent scowl. And then when it fought over which house she should be in, she feared the worst. But thankfully, she was wearing red and gold and not blue and bronze. And now that hat was opening his mouth to sing another song.

Oh you may think me nothing but a hat

No knowledge or brain to see

But I can assure you I'm so much more

For I'm the only one who knows in what house you'll be

So step on up young first years

And place me on your little heads

For I was made for such a night like this

In every single stitch and the magic in my threads

For I am the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I will be the one to tell you where to go

As I can see inside your mind

And see in which House you will grow

Will it be in mighty Gryffindor

Where the brave and mighty dwell

With dares and risks and nerve

The lion might fit you well

Or perhaps in loyal Hufflepuff

Where you'll find the pure and just

With hard work and patience

The badger you'll entrust

But then you may be Ravenclaw

Where wit has never been matched

With cleverness and knowledge

From the eagle you've been hatched

Though you may indeed be Slytherin

Where power is on top

With ambition and undeterred hunger

As a snake you'll never stop

So come on up children and put me on

Let us find you where to stay

For your magic is awaiting you

There's no more time to play

The students erupted in their usual hoots and hollers at the end, usually more because the hat had finally stopped singing than the actual excitement for the sorting. Gemma had her head resting on her arms, still quite tired even after her nap that afternoon. Looking down the table as Aberly, Matthew was called forward, her eyes met Sirius's.

He smiled at her kindly, making a gesture that suggested he wished he could kill himself instead of listen to all of this. She laughed a little, nodding her head in agreement before he turned back to James. She looked over at Lily across from her who was stirring her finger around inside her water goblet.

"I say we just stand up and start singing Me and Bobby McGee until they kick us out." Lily suggested, making Gemma laugh as she envisioned it all going down.

"I'm not sure that McGonagall would be too happy with her prefect if we did that." Gemma noted, Lily shrugging like she didn't much care.

"Dumbledore likes fun, he wouldn't mind."

Gemma shook her head with another laugh as she reached for her goblet and took a drink. "As tempting as the thought of getting the hell out of here is, let's save that for a more desperate time."

"Like when? When is a more desperate time than this?"

"Next year's sorting?"

They laughed, smiling at one another like it was some kind of deal. Not that either of them would ever have the guts to do such a thing, but it didn't make it any less fun to think about. She could just see the other students staring up at them as they sang a bizarre muggle song. The Slytherin's would all probably break out into hives.

"Welcome!" Dumbledore shouted after all the first years were sorted and grabbing everyone's attention again. "Another year. Another feast. We are here during a trying time for our kind. A war is just outside our walls, flaring up with great vengeance against what some of us can't understand. I would hope that you all are open minded and strong, accepting of one another as people and not as blood.

I will not shy away from the fight that is not only beating against our door but slipping through the cracks. I want each of you to stand together against he who would divide you. I want you to realize who you are inside and realize that you are the key to winning this fight. You, our youth, is what will bring the light back to such dark times."

The shush that had fallen over them all was deafening. Her eyes couldn't help but look at the Slytherin table, the boys she knew who stood against her kind all looking around as if they had no knowledge of such a war. They would be the first to strike inside Hogwarts, she was sure of that. It just was a matter of when.

"Now, on a more happy and light note, I welcome all of you back for another year of learning and excitement. The rules stand that you shall not go into the Forbidden Forest for you will only find terror and pain there. Also, Filch would like me to remind you all that aiding Peeves is not considered kind or helpful. That and pranks are completely out of bounds and you will face dire consequences shall you partake in them.

Happy eating!"

"I always think he's a bit barking but then I remember how badass he can be." Marlene noted after the cheering calmed down, the food appearing before them as it always did.

"I'm sure he'd be happy to know you think that Mar."

"He beat Grindelwald, Gems, and he's going to kill that Voldemort bloke too. Just you wait, he'll keep us safe."

"I hope so." She sighed, waiting until her empty goblet filled with pumpkin juice and then took a long sip. "I don't want to think about what would happen if he didn't."

"I'll trade my roast beef for your chicken!" Mary piped up happily, steering the conversation from dark to happy. "C'mon Gems!"

"Mary, you're supposed to think of which one you want and then it'll appear...why do you always do this?" She laughed, her mate shrugging and picking up her plate.

"Yeah, but I wanted roast beef until I saw your chicken."

Gemma snorted. "Fine, whatever, give it here."

"I love you." Mary grinned, trading their plates across the table as Gemma shook her head and started to dig in.

"I know, you can't help it. I'm simply amazing and brilliant and all that."

"Obviously, why do you think we're your friend?" Lily said, making her potatoes into a small mountain before pouring gravy over them.

"My good looks?" She asked, teasing them as she began to eat.

"You are pretty fit Gems, I'd shag ya."

Laughing at Marlene, she gave her a silly wink. "Thanks Mar, I'll meet you in my bed; midnight, don't be late."

"You got it babes."

"Did I hear something about girl on girl?" Sirius interrupted, his spoon hanging out the side of his mouth as he stared from her to Marlene.

"Yes, I just confessed my undying need to sleep with Marlene." Gemma flicked him on the nose, turning back to her plate and hoping he'd go away.

"Is that why you don't date blokes?" He pestered on, making Gemma groan, "Because you like the ladies?"

"Yes, that's it…I like a nice rack and tight bum. What can I say?" She sighed, turning back to him and offering a tight smile.

"You just got a hundred times hotter, Gemma O'Malley."

She rolled her eyes, taking her hand to push his face away from her. "Go away Black."

"I'm serious."

"I know you are."

"Oh the constant jokes, I never tire of them. Honestly, best thing anyone ever thought up." He flicked her in the cheek and she stuck her tongue out back at him. "But seriously – I'll pay a hundred galleons to watch you and McKinnon."

"Make it three hundred and I'll let you join."

His face seemed to go pale for a second, as if he actually believed her and turned to converse with James. She could tell he was adding things up on his fingers, Gemma and Marlene laughing before he turned back. "Okay, I can get two hundred. What does that get me?"

"Nothing."

"Come on, I want to see your girly love."

"That's what dreams are for. Besides, there is no way I'd ever sleep with Mar even if I did like girls." Gemma said, her mate sending her a look.

"Why not?" Mar asked, her eyebrows rose as if shocked by this fact and Gemma laughed.

"Too tall and bossy."

Mar pouted, shoving potatoes in her mouth. "I thought we were friends."

"We are."

"True…I s'pose you're too tiny and studious for me. I also cannot stand books, and you're kind of in love with them and all."

"See, it'd never work." Gemma turned back to Sirius, pushing him in the face again. "Goodbye Sirius."

"Oh come on…you'd be the talk of the school."

"I'm not creating some lesbian scandal for your enjoyment."

"Never any fun O'Malley." He sighed, backing off a little and settling back into his seat. "Never any fun."

When dinner was over, they all started up towards the common room. It always seemed like such a long and boring walk after the feast; their stomachs so full and not in the mood to walk seven flights of stairs. Sometimes Gemma thought that being a Hufflepuff would be brilliant for the sheer fact that they live so near the Great Hall.

Saying hello to a few very excited portraits on the way up, she rested her head on Mary's shoulder and walked with her. She wondered why if witches and wizards had so many brilliant things that helped people get places faster then why didn't they have a lift? Stairs were so bloody overrated.

"Oh thank Merlin and God and anyone else I'm forgetting." She sighed, falling face first on one of the couches the second they made it to the common room. The material was so soft and smelled so clean that she realized she could just fall asleep right there.

"I'm never moving from this chair, I will die in this chair." Mary groaned, slumped and sliding down it slowly.

"Don't die Mary," Alice piped up, falling down on the ground with Frank as they all took over the area near the fireplace, "I wanted to borrow that perfume in the morning."

"Good to know I'm useful Alice, thanks."

"You matter Mary McDonald, you matter so much." Gemma said sleepily, her friends all laughing as she gave them a nice hand gesture in return.

"I think Gems is drunk."

"No…not drunk." She told Mary, "Exhausted. Makes me loopy."

Marlene patted her on the head from her spot on the floor, brushing her hair back from her face. "Yeah, remember that night you covered your face in chocolate and then passed out in the bathtub?"

"No Mar, I was actually drunk then."

"Oh, right. That was a good birthday."

Gemma snorted. "I don't even remember it."

"Exactly."

"I find your logic flawed."

After a few more minutes of taking up the whole sofa she slowly pulled herself up into a sitting position and tried to blink the sleep away. The room seemed so dark, only a few lamps lit and the fire roaring but nothing else. She was also surprised to see the place practically empty, the only ones still up were the Marauders over in the corner.

"As soon as Lily gets back I'm done for the night." Alice yawned, her fellow seventh years already all snug in their beds.

"I give her five minutes and then I give up."

"Some friend you are!" Lily said coming up behind her, patting her on the head gingerly before she stood up.

"Good, you're here. I must sleep now and never wake up. I figured I'll just steal a time turner or something and sleep all tomorrow and then go back in time and make sure I was in all my classes." Gemma planned up in a few seconds, the whole thing ridiculous but honestly something she wished she could do.

"That's a tricky thing to pull off."

"I've got skills."

"Sure you do sleepyhead, let's get you to bed."

"Yes, Mummy."

Her best mate pulled her off the couch and let her throw an arm over her shoulders. They made their way towards the stairs, slowly but surely, and again Gemma wished there was a better, magical way to get places within the castle. The bed that awaited her atop the stairs was probably the most beautiful thing she could think of right now and she was more than happy to fall into it the second they made it up.

"Night boys." She yawned as they passed the Marauders, all of them stopping to wish her the same.

"Just come get me if you need some guidance loving a woman the first time." Sirius offered, Gemma glaring at him as she slumped more against Lily.

"Go fuck yourself Black."

"Wow…tired O'Malley is a scary one." He stuck his hands up in the air as if she were about to strike, but all Gemma could muster was a wag of her finger.

"Remember that."

"You going to bed then too, Evans?" James asked, Gemma could practically hear the desperation in his voice.

"Yeah Potter, I am. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah…goodnight."

They started up the stairs with her feet still dragging slightly. "Maybe you should give him a chance Lily."

"Why? He's been such a bully and an annoying prat."

"He's nice, he brought me chocolate. And he's not so much a bully as a...pranker of opportunity?"

"Is this your crazy talk again?"

"No…he promised me my favorite chocolate if I helped him with Arithmancy. He gave it to me on the train. It tasted like heaven wrapped in golden foil. Sheer deliciousness."

"Well, that's nice and all Gemma but that doesn't mean I should just date him."

"You should…you'd like him. He smells nice and he has that sexy hair."

"Yep, you're past saving at this point." Lily muttered, dragging her through the door and then flopping her down on her bed. "See you in the morning Gemma."

"I don't like daylight."

"I know my little vampire, go to sleep."

"I'll bite you if you wake me up too early!" She said angrily one last time, barely any words made out as she said them all into her sheets and she heard her mate laughing at her.

"Goodnight, love."