The Lunar Moon
Chapter 1.
Anna Webb
A howl, long and clear, echoed from outside, in the dark of a winter's night. I woke myself up, and rolled off my small bed, my feet making a small thud when they touched the cold, wooden floor. I walked towards my door, not bothering to turn on the lights, and into the hall. I went next door to my mother's room, checking for her. Nope, the bed was empty; the sheets had not even been touched. I travelled over to the room's window, the wood making creeks as I walked along it. I looked out the window, to see a glow on the forest floor, from the full moon overhead. Yes, it was that time of the month, just as I thought.
The howl had been my father, but where was my mother? I knew that she worked late, but when I looked at the clock, it said; 03:32. She usually arrived before midnight, one at the latest.
I walked back out into the hall, and to the front door. Slipped on a pair of shoes, and walked out. The air was cold, and snow was on the ground. I rubbed my hands up my arms, I was still in my nightwear, which consisted of a white t-shirt, and cropped fleecy trousers. I walked down towards the forest, leaving our lot completely.
After walking for a few minutes I came into a clearing, which had a small, rusted shed. I went in and found an axe, shovel, hoe, and other gardening tools. That's when another howl echoed through the forest again. I walked back out of the shed, and began heading towards the howl.
The sight before me, made me want to empty my stomach, but I went against it.
Blood. Everywhere and guts too, were placed in a heap beside a body. Feminine, and elegant, dressed in what may have been an emerald green set of robes, was now stained in deep red. Her brown hair falling freely around her still face. That still body, lying in the snow, was my mother.
Towering above her I now noticed, was a large black werewolf. My father, his claws bloody and his mouth drooling. He then took that moment to notice me. He changed his stance to a crouch, ready to pounce. I was shaking from shock and fear, tears falling freely. He pounced, but before he could get any nearer, multiple crackling noises were heard, and "Stupefy!" from a mix of voices, then a flash of red. A loud thud sounded, and I saw my father lying on the ground, motionless.
I began to walk over to him, only to be stopped by a large hand on my shoulder.
"It's okay now, nobody is going to hurt you"
I jolted up with a small whimper, my face streaked with tears. "Merlin" I muttered to myself. That same dream again, for the fourth time this week. The one that seemed almost too real to me, but thankfully it was just a dream. My mother, was still alive and well, but my father, well he was put in Azkaban over three years ago. Put in there for murder of a number of muggles, not even when he was under the influence of his lycanthropy.
He also drifted into insanity soon after the death of his brother.
But that was when I was six years old that he was taken away, and he wasn't exactly the nicest towards my mother. He took his anger out on her, non-violence, but still hurtful. He used to blame my mother for him being a werewolf. I still don't know why, but my mother was the one to find him killing the muggles, and without hesitation had him sent to Azkaban. I still fear that if he gets out then he may come back for her, he always held a grudge for a major amount of time.
I looked over to the side cabinet by my bed, were a small rusty clock had its small hand pointed to the four. I didn't bother looking at the large hand, just noticed it somewhere between the eight and twelve out of the corner of my eye.
I decided to get a drink, seeing as how I wasn't tired anymore. So I swung my legs off the bed, onto the cold wooden floor. This felt like déjà vu.
I stood up and lit the candle on the side cabinet, carrying it with me. Walking down the hall into the kitchen, I went into the cabinet to find a glass, and filled it with tap water. I went over to one of the old, kitchen chairs, and when I sat down on it, it squeaked under my weight. A small smile appeared on my lips. Sure, our house was small and little worn down. But it was nice, a small bungalow, that only my mother, our cat Bailey, and I lived in. Although our family was small, I felt it was enough to keep me happy.
I finished my glass of water after a few minutes, and sat it beside the sink. I went into our sitting room, and found a small, black, bundle of fur upon the sofa. I went to sit down beside him, stroking his back when he started purring. I made myself more comfortable, pulling Bailey on my lap. His purring was like a constant hum that soon made me fall asleep.
"Tan…" said a voice "Tanya"
"…go away" I mumbled grumpily, still half asleep.
The same voice made a small chuckle, "Tanya, get up"
I reluctantly opened my eyes to see my mother leaning over me, her long, straight brown hair falling around her face, her deep blue eyes staring into my light blue ones.
"Erm…why, it's Saturday, can't I sleep in?" I muttered.
"Nope," she said happily, and pulled me up into sitting position, "we have to go to Diagon Alley and get you stuff for school." and with that she walked into the kitchen with a bounce in her step, her deep blue robes billowing out behind her lightly.
I unwillingly got up and went to take a shower. After I had washed my hair, and put on some fresh clothes, I looked at myself in the mirror. Dark crescents were beginning to appear beneath my eyes, my hair as always, was frizzy unlike my mother's perfectly straight and frizz-free hair. But just like her, it was chocolate brown and long, reaching mid-back.
Happy with my appearance as much as possible, I trudged into the kitchen for breakfast, the cat following close behind me.
"So, what's for breakfast?" I asked.
"Toast, I put a plate out for you already" My mother answered without turning away from the sink, doing who knows what.
"Thanks." and I sat down, stuffing the toast into my mouth after spreading butter on it. "What school am I going to anyway?"
"Hogwarts, the closest school to us, and I went there, I'm sure you'll like it. Very spacious, and the architecture is just wonderful." My mother answered excitedly. "Finished yet?"
"Yeah, I guess" I said, chugging down the last of my water that was in a glass beside the toast.
We walked back into the sitting room towards the fire. My mother scooped up some floo powder, stepped into the fireplace and loudly said, "Diagon Alley", and disappeared in green flames. I copied my mother, and appeared in the streets of Diagon Alley, that I come so accustomed used to.
I found my mother waiting for me, and we walked off. We arrived at Henrietta's Florist, which my mother owned and worked at. The flowers were like standard flowers, but many were more exotic, shapes and colours of all kinds. Some were even alive, moving about freely in their designated area, or pot. I always loved flowers, since I came here quite often and helped out.
"Hey Ms Silverwood" the young girl at the till said to my mother "Hey Tanya" she said to me with a warm smile.
"Hi Stephanie" I replied kindly.
"Ms Silverwood, we have an order for a wedding, they were asking for your advice personally."
"Okay, thank you Stephanie"
We walked into the back room where my mother collected some things and we went back out into the streets, saying our goodbyes to Stephanie and another staff member called Josh.
My mother pulled out a piece of paper and began to look over it. "We'll go get your books first."
And with that we headed to Flourish and Blotts.
Half an hour later we left with around eight different books, all to do with multiple subjects. After that we went to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions and bought three sets plain black robes, a pointy hat, some gloves and cloak.
We then went to Ollivander's to get my wand, which was an autumn blaze red maple, with a single unicorn hair (specific enough eh?).
After a few hours of walking around, we finally had everything we needed, and I helped around at my mum's shop, then after a few hours we heeded back home. I collapsed on the sofa, exhausted for the day. I looked at the clock up on the wall that said six forty-five. "Ah, time for food." I mumbled to myself, absentmindedly rubbing my stomach. I stood up and walked into the kitchen to find my mother was just putting some pasta onto a plate.
I sat down at the table, and took a swig at my glass of water. We began eating and were talking about random things. I loved my mother, she was so relaxed and fun, a good friend too.
"When does school start?" I asked.
"Well, you get the train to Hogwarts on Monday, so technically Tuesday. Wait… let's just say Monday, okay dear." mother said, confusing herself slightly.
"Okay, thanks" and I went up to my bed, experiencing that same dream all over again.
It was Monday and I was going to go to Hogwarts, my first magic school. Yes, I had gone to a muggle School. My mother thought it was necessary to get closer to them and learn more about them, just for more experience I guess.
I was really nervous, I didn't know anybody, or at least didn't think I did. But still, I hate trains too… I get travel sick, not so good. I also fall a lot… and drop things, and break things without being anywhere near them. I'm just completely dangerous to anyone or anything.
My mum kissed my cheeks, hugged me and said goodbye and be careful a ton of times. I was finally able to pull away and get on the train. Walking down the aisle, whilst looking for an empty compartment, people shoved pass me both ways. I finally found an empty one and put my bag in, and took the seat next to the window. I suddenly heard a knocking on the door, and someone pulling it open, "Hey, do you mind if I sit here, all the others are taken" I looked up to see a thin, brunette standing in the doorway.
"Sure" I said quietly.
"Thanks" and she placed her bag next to mine. "Anna. Anna Webb" she said sticking her hand out.
I took it and shook it lightly "Tanya Silverwood" I responded.
"Tanya, hmm… very snazzy" Anna replied, smirking at me.
After a few minutes of talking, another knock on the door was heard, and this time another girl stood there, along with a boy behind with long black hair.
The girl came in and asked to sit in here along with the boy following her.
"Lily Evans" she said confidently.
"I'm Anna Webb, and this is Tanya Silverwood," Anna said pointing to me when she said my name. "And we will be your attendants for this flight. Would you like a seat?"
Lily looked at me closely, ignoring Anna's fiasco "I think I've seen you somewhere… florists?"
"Yeah, probably, my mum owns the florist shop in Diagon Alley" I replied. I turned my attention to the boy that was standing next to her, so did Anna.
"So, who are you" Anna asked him bluntly.
"Severus Snape" He replied quietly, sitting down next to me.
"Cool name… Snape, that just has a cool ring to it" Anna said again.
Lily smiled at him, and he smiled back at her.
"So do you two know one another or something" Anna spoke up, "Because it certainly seems like it, with all the flirting you're doing with one another."
"Yeah, we've known one another for a while now." Lily replied.
"Yeah, whatever, so back to our conversation, you said that you have a cat with you… where?" Anna said to me.
"Under the seat" I replied.
"Really?"
"Yes, really"
"Sure you're not sitting on it?"
"Yes, I'm sure I'm not sitting on him"
"Him?"
"Yes him"
"Him?"
"Bailey"
"Bailey?"
"Yes Bailey"
"Why Bailey?"
"I don't know!"
"Why are you called Tanya?"
"Stop asking questions!"
"Why?"
"Stop!"
"Ha!"
"Ho!"
"Damn you!"
"Ha, I win!" I said smugly.
"What are you two going on about?" Severus asked us, slightly scared.
"It's a game called 'annoy-the-other-person-as-much-as-possible-so-you-win-and-they-don't-and-get-very-annoyed-and-say-damn'!" Anna said quickly.
Lily and Severus gave us bewildered looks. Anna and I shared smug looks, and at the same time said "Kinda lacking the brains, aye soldier?" and then hugged.
The rest of the train ride was similar to that, as the compartment was filled with a hysterical Anna and I, and later Severus and Lily joined in. Turns out, Severus is actually quite huggable, as me and Anna found out. But of course, travel sickness comes at some point, and when your eating chocolate frogs and every flavour beans, it really does not end well. When walking down to the toilet, I ended up falling three times and hit my face on a door once. Yes, that was just by walking, not running.
We all changed into our new uniforms half-way, and I decided to pull Bailey out from underneath my seat. Lily awing at him as Anna decided to laugh at him, poor cat.
It seemed like Anna and I were going to be the best of friends, and Lily was a good friend too, but Severus was still warming up to us, but we kept hugging him anyways. Ah… a huggable Snape.
When the train stopped we were told to leave our bags, and we met up with this huge guy that at first I thought was a teddy bear, but Lily told me otherwise. So after following him for a while we arrived at some small boats. Anna, Lily, I and Severus all got into one. Two other randoms I couldn't be bothered to find out the names of joined us as well, but seemed to have regretted it by the end.
When the boat ride was over, with me being sick over the side once, and Anna sticking her head under, we arrived by the castle like school.
We were all greeted by a stern looking witch, who went by the name of Professor McGonagall. She led us up about ten different sets of stairs, and up to a final huge door. She left us and said she would be back. Bad idea. At the front of the first years, two boys with dark hair, and one with light hair, were trying to get everyone's attention by waving their hands in the air whilst shouting.
When they had most people's attention they began.
"I'm Sirius Black"
"And I'm James Potter"
"And this is Remus Lupin" said Sirius, pointing to the one with lighter hair.
"And together we are-" James began.
"The Marauders" Sirius finished.
Behind me I heard an ooh; I turned to be looking at a small, slightly podgy boy with a rat like face. Me and Anna shared a look and giggled quietly. The guys at the front noticed, Sirius spoke "And who may you be, laughing at us"
"I am Anna Webb"
"And I'm Tanya Silverwood"
"And together we are"
"Anna and Tanya" we said together in complete sync, mocking them.
People giggled at us lightly.
Professor McGonagall chose this time to appear again "Children, if you would follow me" she adjusted her glasses slightly, and then turned around, through the doors.
Before we all followed I noticed James staring at Lily, and then reluctantly turned to follow. I whispered to Lily "I think you have a new admirer"
She looked slightly shocked at this, and then blushed lightly. When we entered through the doors the first thing I noticed was the ceiling, there was none. Just the black of the sky, and some candles floating here and there, it really was a beautiful sight.
When I looked ahead of me I saw a long table, with different people sitting behind it, and in the middle was Albus Dumbledore. I knew who it was by the cards you get in the chocolate frog boxes; they come in handy sometimes as I noticed.
"Now children, if you would all wait here for me to call your names, and then sit on this stool beside me. I will then place this hat upon you head and you will be sorted into your houses" Mrs McGonagall said.
"Adams, Joseph"
I stared intently at him, and then the hat shouted "Hufflepuff!" So that's how it works… interesting. The hall had broken into applause as he went to sit by the farthest away table.
"Allen, Henry"
"Ravenclaw!"
"Baker, Louise"
"Hufflepuff!"
"Black, Sirius"
"Gryffindor!" Please don't put me there.
A few more names passed and it came to Lily. She was put in Gryffindor.
I also noticed that Remus, James, and that boy who was behind us called Peter were also put in Gryffindor.
"Silverwood, Tanya"
I walked up to the stool and sat down; the hat was then put upon my head.
"Definitely not smart." I could hear a voice mutter in my head.
"Well, geez thanks for the self esteem boost" I retorted.
"You have pure blood, but you're not obnoxious… completely." It replied, ignoring me. "You're fairly loyal, but can tread away at times. But I definitely remember your mother, Henrietta Silverwood, a Ravenclaw, very clever indeed. But you are not as clever as your mother. It would seem you do not fit in any but…"
"Gryffindor!" damnit.
The hall filled with another round of applauds and I went to the Gryffindor table to sit beside Lily. Snape was behind me and unfortunately went into Slytherin. I waited for Anna's turn to come, but she was last in the register. She was put into Gryffindor, and I applauded her, she came to sit next to Lily and I.
Dumbledore then stood up, and just like that, the whole hall fell into complete silence "I bid a wonderful welcome to the new first years that have joined us today, and I hope you enjoy it here at Hogwarts. Now I will tell you that the forest is forbidden, to all years, and that you must return to your dorms after curfew. No magic may be used between or after classes for safety. Thank you, and dig in" and as he finished food appeared out of nowhere and covered the whole tables' surface.
Me and Anna shared a huge grin and began filling our plate with all sorts, while Lily was more subtle and delicate with picking up her food.
Whilst eating I looked around the table at the faces, I then spotted that Sirius was next to me, he noticed and looked back at me. It wasn't a pretty sight to put it simply, his mouth was full and his cheeks were bulging in the sides. He tried to smile at me, but it went kind of wonky, I laughed at him. Okay, he was annoying but I can still laugh at him. Right?
Anna noticed me and Sirius staring at one another. Making herself noticed, she coughed loudly. I realised what I was doing and turned away quickly, blushing slightly, Anna tried to stifle a giggle but it didn't work: she released a loud laugh, making some people turn to us
After everyone was done eating we were sent back to our dorms, we followed the Gryffindor prefect, Kyle White. Rather annoying bloke if you ask me. We were told the password, and sent up to our dorms.
Lily, Anna and I made sure our beds were next to one another, while there was one other bed left, which a thin, blonde girl took. She looked nervous around all of us. Anna spoke up first of course "Hey there".
The girl looked up and gave a small smile. I decided to intervene.
"Hi, I'm Tanya, this is Lily and that's Anna" I spoke for the three of us.
"Isabelle Rameriz" She said quietly.
Suddenly there was a loud knock on the door, Lily went to open it. There in the doorway stood the Marauders, plus Peter.
"Hello ladies, just thought we'd stop by." Said Sirius, grinning broadly.
This was going to be a long year.