Summary: Exchange students, Slytherins, Muggle-borns, and Hogsmeade visits. As Voldemort is on the rise, Sirius Black is just trying to find his way through his 5th year. That might prove to be harder than expected.
Full Summary: Nevena Krum is an exchange student from Bulgaria, Alex Warner is a muggle-born from a divided family, Liam Anderson is a Prefect and Beater for Quidditch, and Evelyn Hall is a girl who thinks she has it all. Their worlds collide to create the worst and best time in their life. Voldemort is gaining followers and as everyone prepares to fight, unexpected things happen, leaving only one thing to say; "Pass the Firewhiskey."
Authors Note: I don't own Harry Potter, so you can all put the papers you wanted to be autographed away. I'm just a fan. Also, the summary makes this sound way more cliché than I intend on it being. Just saying. Oh, and I describe Nevena's accent as being very thick, although I'm going to write it pretty watered down so that you all can read it. :3
Pass the Firewhiskey
Alex's POV
Bloody. Hell. It's a good response, isn't it? It can be used for a wide array of things, so I'm sure my predicament is in the category. Although, correct me if I'm wrong. I'm a Ravenclaw. I can't be making stupid mistakes like that.
But what was I expected to think? What did she want me to say? What type of response was acceptable? 'Congratulations?' 'Wow, I didn't see that coming.' 'You sure did give us all a surprise.' I'm a Ravenclaw, remember? I'm not here to make your feeling feel good. I'm here to deal with real problems and riddles. Study, take the test, get good grades. In that order. Now, if you noticed 'make friends feel good' is not on that list. Although I do think I could squeeze in a good competitive debate every once in awhile…
But now we're getting off topic, the topic being 'bloody hell' in case you've forgotten. Yes. 'Bloody hell', a perfect word, really. Not quite a swear, but if you use it people think you're okay with that type of thing and are intimidated. Perfect for a wide range of moments and, in my opinion, wonderful for when your friend comes back from summer break with half of her head shaved, and pink streaks in the other half.
Perfectly fine, right?
Well, apparently not. I suppose I should have remembered just how sensitive Kendra (one of my more dear friends from last year) could be.
Note to self; keep bloody hell comments inside the mind. They can be offensive.
Well. A wonderful way to start the year, right? One friendship already teetering on the edge and classes hadn't even started yet. You see, that's the thing with Ravenclaws. You make friends easily enough, but you loose them right as exams come back. What can I say? That it's my competitive nature? Yeah, well you'll soon find that people find that 'competitive nature' to be a 'stuck up and overly critical nature.'
Anyway, one friendship on the rocks and I haven't even made it to Hogwarts yet. Wonderful. But now that the compartment's empty, it occurred to me that yes, maybe my words were too harsh. But let's be honest. If I were to relive that moment tomorrow, or even right now, I'd still say the same thing.
I mean, Kendra had beautiful, long blonde hair that was so lush compared to my own overly curly and quite plain dark brown hair. She had wonderful hair with natural highlights and to not only chop it to half it's size but shave one side? Don't even get me started on the pink streaks.
Who am I? Well, how rude of my not to introduce myself. Alexandra Warner, but I go by Alex. 5th year Ravenclaw and muggle-born extraordinaire.
At the moment the story (officially, anyway) begins, I was sitting in the empty compartment, minding my own business, humming 'Piano Man' by Billy Joel and doodling when someone opens the compartment door, profusely apologizing when they realize it's the wrong one. Now, normally I would have either called them out on it or if they were younger tell them it was all right. However, when I looked up to see who it was, I did neither of those things.
And I probably looked like an idiot.
Who was it, you ask? Why, none other than Liam Anderson. You know, a boy too tall for his own good and far too nice to be true. True Hufflepuff and Beater for his Quidditch team, not to mention a prefect in my same year.
Now, usually the presence of a male wasn't anything intimidating, but hear me out. We're talking about Liam Anderson. Liam. Anderson. Did you get that? Sure, to most he's just a lanky blonde, and I'll have to admit, up until last year I would have agreed.
But now… now I like to say that I see the true Liam Anderson.
The Liam Anderson that bites the inside of his cheek when he's nervous. The Liam Anderson that has eyes so blue they're almost electric. Nothing too big, right? I mean, sure, I joined the Orchestra to impress him, I go to every Hufflepuff match to watch him, but it's nothing too incriminating. I see it that I'm his friend without actually knowing him, you know? Sure, Kendra says I have an 'obsession', but as I've already stated, she blows things way out of proportion.
So yeah.
Wait. Anderson was still standing there, wasn't he?
Liam's POV
Oh, Merlin. Merlin's beard. Lord have mercy.
Why am I still standing here? Why don't I turn and leave, ending my embarrassment for good? She's not looking, there's no harm in just disappearing, right? I mean, yeah, it might lead to an awkward conversation later, but I'm good at those.
Perfect. Save yourself the embarrassment and leave while she's looking dow- nevermind. Well, now it's time for Friendship Making 101.
"Sorry, but all of the other compartments are full. Do you think that I could…" I gestured to the seat, across from her, not finishing my sentence because if she says no, I never really asked. It's a smart move, or so I like to think. Not to mention that it seems to work the best with Ravenclaws. You see, when you're trying to make a friend, it's good to cater to their feelings, and Ravenclaws always have to be right.
"Sure."
She went right back to her book, probably drawing, judging by the way she moved her pencil. She nodded her head to music that was playing only in her mind, and I have to admit that it was almost cute. In a way. I mean, last year I had double potions with Ravenclaws, and that's where I learned all about them and how they feel. Alex, the girl sitting across from me, was in that class, and can I just say, she's not someone you want to cross. She made that crystal clear on the very first day. She wasn't about to let you get away with anything, so seeing her in a more relaxed environment was definitely something new.
Oh no. Did I let it get too quiet? Say something!
"So, what song were you humming? It's was beautiful."
Alex looked up at me, and the look in her eyes was unreadable. I swear. Ravenclaws can be so guarded sometimes. They need to loosen up a bit, you know? "I highly doubt you'd know it."
"Try me."
You see, those were the perfect words to say. If I know one thing, it's that Ravenclaw can't resist a challenge.
"Piano Man by-"
"Billy Joel. Told you I'd know it. You play the piano, right?"
She seemed shocked. And knowing her, I hoped that it was a good shock, like a 'wow, I didn't know you took interest in what I do for extracurriculars', instead of an 'are you stalking me?' shock. Now, if you notice, those two shocks are quite similar. That's why caution is key when it comes to shocking people.
"Yeah, what about it?"
"Nothing, really. It's a pretty instrument, that's all."
…
Remus' POV
The train had sped up, that much was obvious. It was harder to walk when the train had random bursts of energy like that. Yes, you knew you were officially on the Hogwarts Express when it sped up, and there was no way you'd ever leave it after that. I shuddered just thinking of last year when Sirius thought it might be a good idea to try and jump off the train. There are things you can't unsee, and I can trust the trolley witch no longer.
Wait. Was that a girl at the end of the corridor? Well, the obvious answer would be yes, but I know a veela when I see them. And this girl is definitely one of them. But, she can't be a full one, can she? I would've felt something, right? Even still, I approached with caution. I mean, it's not every day you see a veela in the Hogwarts Express, talking to herself. There was something she was upset about, that was obvious, but what she was saying was beyond me. Her accent was thick and her words were almost unrecognizable because of it.
"Vhy doesn't Hogvarts haff a bigger train? They could use charms to make it bigger on the inside. Better yet, vhy don't they use a ship to get to their school? It vould be much easier."
"A ship? Now that's one I haven't heard." The words came out of my mouth before I could stop them. Stupid veelas. Always making me do things I don't want to do. But then she looked up at me, and for some reason everything was fine. Like she'd care, right? I mean, who wouldn't want me to talk to them. Wait, what?
"Vell, yes. At Durmstrang ve used a ship to get to our school. It vos very accommodating." Vos? Ve? What are all of these random consonants? Well, she's from Durmstrang. That much I gathered. I smiled to try and hide my confusion and internally sighed when she smiled back.
"How do you get to Durmstrang, exactly?" It's a valid question, right? She laughed and Merlin's beard, did she have a nice one. But that was just because she was a veela, right? I mean, that makes sense. Wait. She's not trying to woo me, is she? Ugh, I knew I should have stayed in the compartment instead of going to look for Wormtail.
"Even if I knew, I vouldn't tell you. Durmstrang is very secretive about its exact location. Ve get a memory charm placed on us vhen ve leave the castle for summer holidays, and I don't know vhere it is anymore." Memory Charms? Isn't that a little much? Well, at least I can tell what she's saying now. "I'm Nevena Krum. And you are?"
She held out her hand and I shook it, trying to see past her veela beauty. "Remus Lupin."
What to say now? I mean, we introduced ourselves, now would probably be a good time to address the whole veela...ness. But is it ever a good time to ask someone if they're a veela? Ugh. Just get it over with now and be done with it.
"James Potter, you are the absolute worst!"
As if on cue, Lily Evans stormed out of a nearby compartment, a dazed James following her. Oh well, so much for that idea. "Did I ever tell you how beautiful you look when you're angry, Evans?"
Lily let out a groan and held her hands out to the sky, not breaking stride. She disappeared into another compartment, and James, finally spotting me walked over with a smirk on his face. "Moony, why couldn't you stop her for me?" He leaned up against the wall and ran a hand through his hair. "You two are going to be prefects together this year. You might as well try to be friends with her."
"I highly doubt that will happen, seeing as you'll probably drop by every once in awhile to 'serenade her'"
Only now did James realize Nevena, and when he looked at her he smirked. "Nevermind, Moony. I'll let you off this time, seeing as you had yourself some company already."
Nevena glared at him, and the air seemed to thicken in an unexpected way. It was an odd feeling, almost as if her anger was being projected in the air around her. Well, that settles it. She's definitely veela. Probably only half, though, unless she just doesn't feel like turning into some beaked creature. "I vouldn't speak of me that vay. You vill end up regretting it. Everyvone does."
Well, that's not threatening or ominous, is it? James was obviously just as shocked as I was but tried to play it off with a winning smile, "Beautiful accent. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're veela?"
Nevena stood up and grabbed her trunk, preparing to leave. Heading down the corridor, Krum called over her shoulder. "I'm from Bulgaria, and yes. I am a fourth veela."
I watched her go. What else was I supposed to do? Run after her? No, whoever Nevena Krum was, she probably isn't the type that wants someone to chase after her. James still had a smirk on his face as he watched her go, and once she was far enough away he nudged me in the ribs. "You sure do know how to pick them, Moony."