The morning glint of the sun was peaking through her curtains as she rolled over drowsily, trying to cover her annoyed face with her pillow. The clock flashed 10:03 in neon green numbers and her mother was yelling from downstairs.
"Alex! Alex! Alexandra Marcs get out of bed and get ready! You don't want to miss the train do you?"
Alex hurled the pillow away from her and heaved her now petulant self out of bed. She walked over to her mirror and gave a wistful look at her reflection; her cerulean eyes flicked upwards from her grumpy expression, up to her head of golden curly hair which seemed to have taken on a mind of its own. She grumbled and shuffled her way over to her bathroom, strewn with soaps, un-capped toothpaste tubes, and old magazines. Undressing and stepping into her shower, she let the warm water wash over her exhausted body and she gradually felt more awake. Sopping wet, she grabbed a towel, tied it around herself and walked over to her closet where she picked out a pair of faded blue jeans, a teal long-sleeved shirt, and a pair of flats she had gotten on her vacation to Paris. Seizing a watch, a couple of silver bracelets and a necklace with a leopard charm, she cast yet another glance at her more refreshed, but still not fully awake reflection.
Checking to see that she had her Hogwarts trunk completely packed with all of her clothes, school books, and otherwise special mementoes, she snapped her trunk closed, grabbed the cage holding her snowy owl Moonbeam and lugged them both out of her room and down a flight of stairs.
"Leave your things by the front door!" called her mother from the kitchen. The smell of pancakes and bacon was lingering in the downstairs area of their London flat.
Alex dropped her things by the front and walked through the set of French doors leading to her kitchen.
"Good morning star shine." said her mother who was busying herself with the bacon. At age 15, soon to be 16, Alex's mother still hadn't let go of the childish nicknames she had once called her daughter years ago. "I've made you a big breakfast... I don't know if they serve anything on that train...". Mrs. Marcs was a slim woman with blonde curls that matched Alex's and a curvy figure. She was seemingly always in a good mood, but her eyes said otherwise. Ever since Alex's father had been killed as an auror, Mrs. Marcs' eyes had lost their sparkle and were now blank and expressionless. "So, you have everything you need packed?" she asked placing a plate of pancakes and bacon in front of Alex.
"Yes mum..." replied Alex rolling her eyes.
"And you have all the money from your savings account somewhere safe, where it won't get stolen, or lost or-"
"Yes! Mum, you've made me check double check and even triple check my packing list. I have everything I need and if I find that I somehow didn't pack something, I'll send Moonbeam back to you and she'll bring it to me."
"Oh... I suppose I'm just bit worried..." said Mrs. Marcs twiddling her fingers; a sure sign of nervousness. "I mean... what if you somehow, you know... loose control of your powers? You've never had to deal with the kinds of situations other kids your age have..."
"Mum, Dumbledore already sent you a letter explaining everything. I won't tell anybody that I don't trust about my... abilities." Alex shifted in her seat as she remembered how she, as a child had been considered odd and dangerous by the other kids. She was a Summoner, not your average witch. Thing came more easily and instead of having a wand, she could channel energy through her hands to cast spells. Being an animagus didn't help much with her social popularity either; whenever she would change into her leopard animagus state, all of the kids would scream and run away from her. Fearing that her daughter might not be able to handle the stress and depression associated with not having any friends, Mrs. Marcs had taken Alex out of her elementary magic classes and had home schooled her ever since.
"Hurry up and finish eating dear or we'll be late." said Mrs. Marcs.
Alex took a last bite of her pancakes and looked at her mother meaningfully.
"Ready to go?" came a muffled voice behind a piece of toast as Mrs. Marcs grabbed her wand off of the counter.
"Do I look ready to you?" questioned Alex pointing up to her still damp head of hair.
"Oh dear, I'm sorry... I forgot about that no magic policy..." her apologized mother as she whipped out her wand and muttered 'Drievero'. Alex reached up to find her blonde curls completely dry. "Let's go now! Hurry up..." said Mrs. Marcs as she ushered Alex out of the front door and into the car. Pulling out of their driveway, Alex gazed at her house for the last time that year as she and her mother drove of towards Kings Cross Station.
"Here, here... take your ticket dear." Mrs. Marcs said while handing Alex a ticket that read 'Hogwarts Express, Eleven O'clock on the first of September, Platform 9 ¾". "Let's go dear."
"Alex pushed along her trolley and slipped an owl treat to Moonbeam to prevent her from hooting. Alex and her mother arrived between platforms 9 and 10 and stopped. Alex looked at her mother curiously, but then her mother began, "Now, all you have to do is walk strait at the barrier between platforms 9 and 10 dear." She said pointing.
Alex turned her trolley to face the barrier, closed her eyes and picked up a fast walk, eventually running head-on towards the barrier. Her feet stopped and she opened her eyes to the sight of a magnificent steam engine. Students and their parents were rushing around the platform, loading luggage and saying their last goodbyes. Alex looked behind her to see her mother appear on the other side of the barrier.
"Alright, let's get your things loaded onto the train..." she said as she helped Alex carry her trunk over to the train. "Oh..." said her mother pulling out a handkerchief from her robes. "I can't believe I won't see you for another full year..." tears had now begun to pour down her face. She quickly pulled Alex into a hug just as the train issued a loud whistle.
"I'll write you every possible chance mum, don't worry" said Alex letting go of her mother.
"Here, I want you to have this." said Alex's mother, pulling out an envelope.
"What is it?" asked Alex taking the envelope and turning it over.
"Just don't open it until you get to Hogwarts?" she replied smiling back at her daughter.
"All right, all right..." mumbled Alex placing the envelope in one of her back pockets.
The train issued another loud whistle and Alex waved goodbye to her mother as the door to her trains' car slide shut. As the train slowly picked up speed, Alex began wandering up and down the train, looking for an empty compartment.
"Excuse me..." said a voice from behind "What would a beautiful girl like you be wandering up and down the train all alone for?"
Alex spun around to see a boy with black hair that fell across his face, and the most curious eyes Alex had ever seen: grey, but so full of life and mischief.
"Nothing." said Alex straitening up.
"Oh, but I think you are doing something." said the boy taking a step closer to Alex. "Whether it's looking for a place to sit or..." he grabbed hold of Alex's hand. She quickly withdrew it from his.
"No thanks, I'm sure I can manage." Alex said as she looked disgustedly at the boy.
"Oh, and if you just happened to be wondering, I'm Sirius Black." He said, once again grabbing hold of Alex's hand, but this time shaking it.
Alex rolled her eyes. "Pleased, I'm sure." She said sarcastically.
"I haven't seen you around Hogwarts. Are you new?" asked Sirius with a look of curiosity.
Before Alex had the time to answer with a snide remark, the nearest compartment door flung open and a girl with red hair and bright green eyes stepped out.
"Sirius Black, what girls are you torturing this time?" she scoffed as she pushed him away from Alex. "Here, you can sit with me, far away from that twit." She said gesturing to an annoyed looking Sirius leaning up against a wall.
"Thank you." Said Alex as she lugged her things into the small space as the girl closed the door behind them.
"I'm Lily Evans." said the girl shaking Alex's hand.
"Pleased to meet you, I'm Alexandra Marcs." said Alex, hauling her trunk to into the overhead luggage rack.
"Are you new to Hogwarts?" asked Lily sitting across from Alex.
"Yes, I just- just transferred here. Home-schooled."
"Home-schooled?" asked Lily with a note of interest. "I didn't know witches and wizards could be home-schooled..."
Alex shook her head and then looked out the window. The train was passing by numerous fields and mountains. Just then, the compartment door slid open and a boy with warm hazel eyes, circular glasses, and a head of very untidy hair stood in the doorway.
"Long time no see Lily." he said eyeing Lily.
"Hullo James..." said Lily wearily.
"So, I was wondering... once we get to Hogwarts, if you would like to..."
Suddenly, Sirius stepped out from behind James. "Ah, we meet again." he said looking towards Alex.
"So I see..." said Alex crossing her arms.
James looked at Sirius with a 'not-again' sort of look, which Sirius returned with a nod. He walked over and plopped down on the seat next the Alex.
"I don't think I ever caught your name." said Sirius, flipping a strand of hair out of his face.
"Alex Marcs." said Alex trying to shift away from Sirius.
"Ah, a very lovely name for a very lovely girl." said Sirius, moving still closer to Alex. She let out an annoyed sigh and Sirius smiled. "What?" he asked.
"Oh nothing... nothing at all."
A pair of boys then stepped out from behind James. One short plump, and strangely resembled a rat, the other had dirty blonde hair and a kind face.
"Now Sirius..." said the kind looking boy. "Not doing anything... stupid, are we?"
"Oh pipe down Remus..." said Sirius haughtily. "Why don't you and Peter just..." but he was cut off by Lily's screaming.
"All right, that's it! I would like to have a peaceful and non-marauder filled train ride if you don't mind!" With that, she grabbed Sirius roughly by the arm and shoved him out the door.
"My Lily, a little grumpy today aren't we?" said James smirking.
"Not at all James Potter." She said as she slammed the compartment door shut.
Alex looked at Lily with an amused expression. "Very nicely handled." She said.
"Thanks." said Lily, brushing some hair out of her face.
"So, care to tell me who those four were?"
"Some of the most well known mischief makers in the school." answered Lily. "There's Peter Pettigrew... he's the short one, he just sort of follows along with the other three. Remus Lupin, who's really not all that bad. He's very nice and if you're ever have any questions on your homework, he can answer them for you. Then there's James Potter... air-head extraordinaire. He's been trying to get me to go out with him ever since our second year... the git, and I believe you've already met Sirius Black, am I right?"
Alex nodded. "Unfortunately..."
"Don't get involved with Sirius." Said Lily leaning back in her seat. "He's had more girlfriends then all the rest of the guys at Hogwarts put together."
Alex laughed and said "Well, if he wasn't such an air-head I might say he'd have been a decent guy."
Lily laughed and leaned forward a bit. "So Alex, why don't you tell me a little about yourself?"