Chapter One
W i t h a S n a p … S n a p … S n a p o f t h e f i n g e r
Rosalie
My boredom had just become too much to bare. With a swift snap of my fingers, my hair and eye color changed to whatever color I dreamed up. Of course, I didn't really need to snap my fingers, I just did so. Perhaps to add dramatic effect? This very action explained how very bored I was. My handheld mirror, the one my mum gave me when I was three, was finally becoming of some use to me; it rested in my right hand, as my left snapped. I looked in the mirror once more, examining the marvelous colors. My hair was a brilliant maroon color and my eyes sparkled a pale blue. I had been on this train, in this compartment, alone for quite some time now. Thus giving me time to experiment with my Metamorphic abilities. The compartment door slide open suddenly, my eyes snapped up to the doorway, and my mouth dropped open. Through fear and perhaps shock, my hair and eye color reverted back to their usual colors. My hair, a soft, chocolate brown color while my eyes were a pale green with specks of blue, quite ordinary really, well maybe not? It was amazing the things you could do as a Metamorphmagus, because technically we didn't have a defined hair nor eye color when we are born. When a Metamorphmagus is born, their hair color usually hops from one color to the next, as do their eyes. I had to admit though, it was quite entertaining to choose your hair and eye color. A loud smashing noise startled me out of my thoughts. I examined my right hand to find that the mirror was no longer there, and upon looking at the floor, I found it shattered into many odd sized pieces. Mum would have a fit if she found out I'd broken it the first day back at Hogwarts, she'd probably try to send me another one! Lord knows I honestly didn't need one. I never had until now.
"Reparo." I hear a delicate voice murmur, and as the word finishes, the glass that shattered fits back into the square frame. I look to my left to see that the boy that was standing in the door way, the one whom muttered the word, has taken a seat next to me; three others have taken a seat across from me. I freeze in place, due to my nervous disposition I wasn't good at socializing, and look at the boy that sits next to me. He had soft, light brown hair and peculiar amber eyes, all in all though, he was quite attractive. My gaze shifted to the others. One, the furthest away from me on the opposite side, had messy black hair and wore glasses that framed his hazel eyes; the one beside him, the one whom sat in the middle, had wavy black hair and dull gray eyes, that held a mischievous spark; and the last one, the one whom sat across from me, was a bit odd, he didn't really fit with the other three, his hair was a dull blonde and his eyes a weird shade of green. A hand appeared next to the mirror in front of me, and picked it up. The boy next to me had done so while I examined the others. "You're a Metamorphmagus, aren't you?" He asked with a smile that could make anyone melt; he held out my mirror, so that I could retrieve it. A sheepish smile spread across my face and I took the mirror, and as I stuffed it away in my backpack I began to answer, but I was cut off by roaring laughter.
"A meta what?" I heard come from the boy with black hair, that seemed to curl around his face, thus making him look more appealing in his moment of stupidity. His voice sounded skeptical, as if he thought the boy next to me had lost his mind. Than again can you really call it stupidity, the fact that he didn't know what I was? Do they teach about us at school? I watched curiously as the boy with light brown hair began to explain.
"A Metamorphmagus, it's a witch or wizard that can change their appearance at will, Padfoot." The light brown haired boy explained, rather calmly actually, I suspect he was used to explaining things. I stared at this 'Padfoot'. Good heavens, that wasn't his name was it? If I'm forced to make my acquaintance, I'll surely lose my straight face and laugh. Who names their child Padfoot? Well, obviously Padfoots mum, yes?
"Well … honestly it depends on our emotions … they play a big part in the whole Metamorphmagus deal." I said, trying to shred some light on my race. Soon after I felt all four of their gazes upon me. Oh dear, what had I said wrong? The silence was awful, but it was soon ended by 'Padfoot's' obnoxious laughter. Really, what had I said? His gray eyes sparkled with laughter, and he looked at the one whom sat next to me as if I'd shown him. Panic stricken, thinking I'd offended the boy next to me, I turned to look at him; ready to apologize and grovel, whatever it took. However, his gaze met mine and held it; his amber eyes shown with interest. Though honestly, he looked like he wanted to strap me down and dissect me or something. As if I were some uncommon species that no one knew anything about….then again, that was partly true. Metamorphmagi were very rare in the wizarding community. "More experienced Metamorphmagus can change at will, but if you don't have practice you can't control it very well?" I continued with a quizzical look on my face. They almost seemed to be shocked I was talking, as if they'd know me for years, and I'd never said one word. It was partly true, when I lived in England, and went to this school, I didn't socialize with these people. I recognized them faintly, but I couldn't remember them completely. I was a bit close minded my first year, absolutely scared out of my bloody mind really. I kept my distance from people, so this all made sense, the fact that I didn't recognize any of them by name. My expression must have changed, to what looked like distress, because the boy with messy, black hair and glasses elbowed Padfoot in the ribs, which caused him to immediately stop laughing. Did they think they would upset me by laughing at me? My hair and eyes changed to two shades of gold, to show I felt a bit surprised and overwhelmed. Who were these people? I heard the boy next to me clear his throat and give the two, whom were now whispering, a stern look.
"Moony, it's not like I'm laughing at her appearance," he paused and looked at me, one eyebrow arched; a grin on his face, "I find her appearance to be very pleasurable thanks." he added leaning back against the back of his seat smoothly, as if he was used to this. In response my hair's tips turned to a bright pink, the base color changing back to it's usual brown, and my eyes changed to pink. When you're a Metamorphmagus, you can tell when your physical appearance changes unwillingly, you just can. Or maybe it's just me. I shut my eyes, and calmed myself down, this Padfoot was just playing with me. Wait what did he call the sweet boy sitting next to me? Moony? Oh lord help me, please please please, I most definitely would not be able to keep a straight face. Now really, who would name their child Moony? Unfortunately, the thought made me giggle quietly. And of course, they all noticed, and looked at me as if I were an alien. After I calmed myself down and stopped my fit of laughter I smiled apologetically. Moony, oh dear, cleared his throat once more, and looked at me.
"Sorry about Sirius, I'd tell you he's usually not like that, but I'd be lying." he announced calmly. Oh thank heavens, Padfoot isn't his actual name. I sighed, relieved that I wouldn't have to call him Padfoot and hold back my laughter every time.
"Moony, you can't honestly say you don't agree with me." Sirius shot back in a teasing tone. Oh no, he's playing with me again. I managed to reduce my embarrassment that could be seen, to a soft blush. I glanced at Moony, he seemed to be having about as much fun with this as I was.
"C-can we please not discuss … this … right now." I chimed in. Sirius' gaze met mine, and I almost expected him to be mad for interrupting his teasing, but his eyes danced with amusement once more. Really though, he looked at me with a man's eyes, which meant most of the time I couldn't even see his eyes. If you know what I mean. "Well … since I've managed to kill the conversation, I'll start some more," I inquired casually, "I've no idea who you are, and I suspect you don't know me." I said. When I looked at them again, I saw shocked expressions on their faces.
"You don't know us?" Said the boy with messy black hair, and glasses that framed his hazel eyes. He seemed shocked alright. "How incredibly impossible!" he exclaimed dramatically. Adding to the effect, he held his arm above his head as if shielding himself from the blinding sun. I giggled slightly, even though he'd taken my serious statement and given it a dash of comedy.
"Well, I mean, I sort of recognize you from my first year here, but after I moved it all went down the drain," I responded, though, I began to feel sorry that I'd forgotten them, were they that well known? "I'm sorry." I added quietly. I think the boy with messy black hair and glasses was just joking, but still I felt bad. Then again, I was sure they wouldn't know me. Who would? If I gave them a description, they'd know, but they couldn't place a name with the behavior.
"It's no problem," the boy with light brown hair said, cutting both of the two boys with black hair off, I was starting to like this boy, "the one across from you is Peter, next to him, as you already know, is Sirius, next is James, and then my name is Remus." he added with a smile, his smile was sweet. Peter nodded very quickly, it was friendly, I think, in a weird way. However James and Sirius groaned in reply since Remus had stopped them from playing good cop bad cop, and questioning me. Thank goodness Remus was there! It wasn't like I didn't mind telling everyone my story I just didn't want to. Who needs to hear that my mum re-married, shipped me over to Germany, without my siblings, then cheated on the poor chap and came back? No, no they really didn't. I began to get the feeling that four pairs of eyes were one me, and sure enough, they were.
"Oh!" I exclaim, realizing it'd be polite if I introduced myself, "Rosalie Marie Taylor." I spit out in a haste, damn it, I told them my middle name. Only friends get to know the middle name! Or well … oh god, I actually listened to Hunter didn't I? That git! I'd have a bone to pick with him once I got off this train and found him. Or I could look for him now, then again, I'd like to get to know these people a bit better. All of them looked at me quizzically. I blinked and looked down to see my hair had turned a scarlet red. I really needed to learn how to control my Metamorphic abilities, this was a bit embarrassing.
"So, Rosalie, that's a pretty name by the way, you mentioned that you went here your first year, what happened after that?" Remus asked, breaking the silence and saving me, though he'd asked the one question I didn't want to explain in detail. Well, they didn't need to know all of it, now did they? Yet this really made me nervous, the tips of my hair turned a bright pink once more, and I suspect my eyes did the same. He complimented me, and unlike Sirius, he meant it. Why was he being so nice?I blinked and looked across the compartment at James and Sirius' whom were doing what we call, wolf whistling. Now Peter joined in right after, though he didn't do it quite right. He looked to James and Sirius as if they were his hero's. My eyes widened slightly and I let my gaze shift to the window; my hair fell in front of my face, hiding my blush.
"Moony, that's not fair, just because you saw her first doesn't mean anything!" Sirius protested, laughter sounding in his voice. He was doing it again! My hair remained the basic color it was, but it slowly became a deeper pink. James and Sirius both came over to our side and forced their way in between us. Sirius took a seat next to me and wrapped his arm around me while James harassed Remus. The compartment door slide open once more and a girl with dark red hair and emerald green eyes stood in the door way.
"We're almost to the castle, you should start changing into your robes … " her gaze drifted off to the boy with messy black hair and glasses that framed his hazel eyes, James, and then shifted her gaze to Sirius. Upon noticing me her face expressed great displeasure. "Potter! She exclaimed then walked into the compartment and rounded on the two. "Sirius, leave the poor girl alone, and Potter," she paused, trying to think of something, obviously, "leave Remus alone, he's prefect, we need him." she breathed finally. It was true, Prefects were very important when it came to herding the first years. I remember that much. Thankfully Sirius left my side to stand up and retreat to his seat, while James stood up, then moved towards Lily.
"My dearest Lily flower, your excuses only cover up what you really feel!" he claimed dramatically. "Just admit that you feel the same way about me as I do you." he said dramatically, yet again. Romantic, I thought rather sarcastically. He wasn't much of a romantic was he? Though his appearance was certainly very nice. It occurred to me only now that Sirius and Lily had saved me from answering Remus' question though, that was a good thing at least.
"Charming Potter, but that's only true if you dislike me, so I shall refrain from lying … " Lily responded, obviously restraining herself from hindering James. She turned around, and as quickly as she had come, she had gone. I think I could see a vein popping out. What had he done wrong though? Sure, he wasn't exactly very polite about confessing but he didn't seem so bad. Sirius nearly tackled James as soon as Lily left, his arm wrapped around James' neck.
"Look at that Prongsie, she doesn't hate you, that's something to cheer about." Sirius roared proudly though he soon broke off with laughter. James just smiled and laughed along with Sirius. Though James' eyes hinted at disappointment. Maybe he wasn't fooling around with this red headed girl, but he was most definitely doing it wrong; that is if he was looking for his feelings returned.
"That was Lily." I heard from my side, of course his voice was already so familiar, it was Remus. "She's a prefect." he added with a nod of his head. She was most definitely the brains in the pair of James and herself. Remus shuffled James and Sirius out of the room so that I could change. Then we switched places. I leaned against the wall outside the compartment humming happily. Over all, this train ride had gone well. I got to meet Remus, Sirius, James, and Peter after all. Though Peter hadn't really said anything. He just looked at James and Sirius the whole time and copied them. It was a bit creepish really. Once again though, it was pretty fun meeting them and all. My thoughts were broken when Sirius and James burst out of the compartment and ran down the aisle. I felt different, ah, the train must've stopped finally! Peter followed James and Sirius enthusiastically. Of course, I waited for Remus to leave the compartment, the only sane one in the group. I smiled at him brightly, getting a bit giddy since we'd just arrived at Hogsmeade Station.
"Come on." I said, as my hand left my side to grab his. My enthusiasm caused me to act impulsively but Remus didn't seem to mind. A bit shocked at first but he didn't pull away. That's a good sign isn't it? We left the train and headed towards the carriages that would take us to Hogwarts. We met James, Sirius, and Peter as we boarded one carriage, Lily had joined us. She explained that she was there so that Sirius would leave me alone, but really, all the other carriages were full. It was a nice thought though. Once more we met wolf whistles as the others spotted our linked hands. We exchanged embarrassed looks then took our seats then waited for Hogwarts to come into view. At least I did, I ignored Lily and James' bickering, considering she was stuck sitting across from him.