Chapter 1: Chivalry, Cheating and Chocolate Frogs

Amica POV:

The train station bustles with life. I pant heavily, lugging my trunk towards the train. My beautiful (grumpy) eagle owl, Boreas, screeches in protest as I throw him onto a trolley. Magical fireworks fly through the air, almost singeing my hair. I bet my brother set them off as a back-to-school joke; he did buy a whole crate of Dr Filibuster Fireworks in the holidays. I duck as one flies straight at my head and narrowly miss bumping into a snobby looking boy and his parents. Pushing my light brown hair behind my ears, I tug on my plaits and turn in a circle. Where is he?

"James!" I scream, fight my way through the crowds. "JAMES HAROLD POTTER!"

"Yes Ames?" he replied, appearing out of nowhere. How does he do that?

"I am failing to see how abandoning your twin sister on her first time on the Hogwarts is attuning with the Gryffindor values. Exactly what is your definition of chivalry?" I scold, pushing my glasses further up my nose.

James begins to say something, but is shoved aside by a handsome boy with long dark hair and intense grey eyes. I feel myself staring and mentally scold myself. Amica! You are NOT here to stare at undeniably hot boys. You are here to pass your owls and learn. Be still beating heart. I said STAY!

"Chivalrous is everything James here is not, love. Sirius Canis Black; pranking Marauder and irresistible ladies' man." he says loudly, winking at me. "And who is this cute senorita?"

Don't blush! Amica Decorous Potter, don't you dare blush! Why do I blush so easily? Damn you teenage hormones!

"This senorita is my sister…" replied James, frowning at Sirius and slipping his arm around me protectively. Sirius' face falls and he opens his mouth to speak but is rudely interrupted by the train whistle. "We better get on or we'll miss the train." muttered James, who was still looking cross. He grabbed my trunk and I grabbed his owl, Apollo, who pecked at my fingers. "Ouch!"

It's going to be a long day….

Amica POV:

I snuggle into the cushions on the seats of our compartment and watch James and Remus play Exploding Snap. Pettigrew, who hero-worships my twin (no idea why), cheers every time James wins a round and claps whenever James says "Snap!" Frustrated that James is winning, I mouth his cards to Remus, Sirius watching me closely. Sirius lets out a bark-like laugh and chucks me one of his precious Chocolate Frogs every time Remus wins a round. 33 rounds later, Pettigrew looks like he is about to cry and I have enough Chocolate Frogs to put Honeydukes out of business. I watch Sirius reach for a sweet, and then turn to me looking disappointed. I pop one in my mouth, smirking, and savour the taste of chocolate.

"So why didn't you go to Hogwarts with James first year? I mean you are only joining in 6th year, which is late for a transfer. I mean, you've done your OWLs." asks Sirius, jerking me out of my daze.

"I got a scholarship for the Brazilian School for Magic, but it only takes girls so James couldn't go. Plus I'm smarter than him." I reply, dodging the Chocolate Frog thrown at me by James and collecting up the Exploding Snap cards cautiously.

"Only girls, you say?" whispered Sirius slyly. "So you don't have a boyfriend?"

I'm blushing AGAIN! Why does he want to know if I have a boyfriend? Maybe he…..Nah. He probably just wants to wind James up. Either way, James looks mad.

"Padfoot…" mutters James warningly. "Ames doesn't go for boys who have a different date every week."

Damn.James has gone into full protective brother mode.

The tension in the air could be cut with a knife and James beckons Sirius over. Soon they're having a heated argument in whispers and I can hear snatches of it as I shuffle the cards.

"..DON'T TALK TO HER"

"OFF-LIMITS"

"Remember mate…"

"I know!"

I deal the snap cards and Remus and Peter start a round, as I start on my mountain of chocolate frogs.

This day hasn't been that bad after all…