Not many people would listen to a cursed creature such as me.
Not very many would open the diary, the book, the window to thy soul for little old me.
I'm innocent I promise. I didn't murder, I didn't lie (a lot), I didn't steal.
My only crime was living.
This is my story.
The notebook was closed, the black leather snapping shut around yellowing parchment as a single thin strand of golden silk hung out from the last page the book had been open to. The small first year girl with round cheeks and porcelain skin pushed the small book into her bag.
Glancing up nervously, she sucked in a breath and glanced down to make sure her robes were tidy. A simple gray skirt that fell around her knees and a white button down shirt were beneath the standard black cloak. All of her life belongings (which happened to be five sets of clothes and two cloaks, some books, quills and ink (along with muggle pens because god forbid she run out of ink), her standard school books and cauldron filled with potion supplies) were in that trunk.
Reaching into her cloak she clutched her left hand fervently around her wand, ducking her head to hide in her long and agonizingly strait russet hair, she followed the two other first years off of the train nervously.
If she had to listen to them preach about 'pure bloods being better' or 'Slytherin being the best house' she might just have to use a silencing charm she read about in 'charms year 1' lest she begin screaming. Sighing quietly, as she seemed to be doing a lot of that lately, she followed the sound of a voice.
"Firs' years this way!" Her eyes widened at the sight of the giant of a man. He had to be close to eight feet tall and like four feet wide. Blinking rapidly the young girl smiled a tiny smile to herself, pink lips quirking up in the smallest of smirks that tilted up to the right. Who knows she might just fit in here.
Following the giant, yet gentle man, down a sloping grassy area she found a whole fleet of row boats. The call of 'four to a boat' was ignored as she looked around nervously. Chewing on the inside of her left cheek she glanced around until she noticed two boys goofing off. One with long shaggy black hair that fell to his shoulders with startling stormy gray eyes. His friend had hazel eyes, black messy hair that seemed to defy gravity and nature itself, with glasses.
Glancing nervously at them, she shook her head and decided to play safe by hesitantly moving over to a boat that had one boy. Silver scars alight with the moon, he seemed exhausted and the black cloak made him seem so much paler than he probably really was. His nose was shoved in a book and he seemed to be trying to ignore everyone else.
"M-mind if I join?" The words left her lips hesitantly and the boy looked up at her before nodding silently. Dog earing his book, he held out his hand.
"Remus Lupin." A shy tight lipped smile pulled at her lips, probably looking more like a grimace, as she shook his hand in a tight grip that seemed to surprise him.
"J-Jessica Howlette." Stepping into the boat and trying to keep her robes from touching it and becoming wet. Sitting down in the boat, a gasp left her lips when the boat began rocking side to side as her hands latched the sides. Knuckles turning white as nausea filled her, she shut her eyes tightly and tried to ignore the sickening rocking.
"Not a fan of water?" Came the soft and slightly amused voice of Remus. Huffing, she slowly let her eyes flicker open and smiled another hesitant tight lipped smile.
"Not particularly." Jessica's pale face was probably whiter than a sheet with a green tint at this point, amber eyes shimmering gold in the night sky with a feverish look. Said young girl was trying to not glance down at the water as she could have SWORN she saw something move.
"Don't worry, you won't fall." He stated calmly, amusement dancing in his brown eyes. She grunted quietly in reply to him. That's not what I'm worried about, Jessica thought with a sickened feeling. You see, she had a severe phobia of the water.
"Mind if we join you?" Asked two voice suddenly, causing her to jump in fright since she was already tense. Glancing up she paused at the sight of the two boys she had seen before. Without waiting a beat the two clambered into the boat, the one with long hair sitting beside her and the shorter one with glasses beside Remus.
"James, James Potter." The boy with glasses chirped, holding out his hand first to Remus and then to her.
"Remus Lupin." The boy sighed and placed his book by his feet before nervously shaking his hand. Swallowing, she shook James' shyly her skin already clammy.
"J-Jessica Howlette." She mumbled.
"Well I'm Sirius Black." The boy with stormy eyes, a bright grin and long hair bellowed before hogging up the attention and getting both boys to laugh. Jessica frowned and shook her head, she already didn't like Sirius Black. He was so...obnoxious. Wrinkling her nose, she let out a gasp as the boat suddenly lurched and the boats were all sailing towards the school. Breathing deeply through her nose, she tried not to panic until they reached land.
Ignoring the curious expressions from the three boys and the pounding rush of blood in her ears, she waited with baited breath until they docked. It felt like centuries, but was really only a few minutes. By the time she docked, Jessica decided that she thoroughly did not like boats. Scrambling over Sirius, whom yelped at her to stop being barmy, the young girl clambered onto land and wrapped her arms around herself anxiously. Talk about nerve wracking.
"First years, you will be seated momentarily, but before you are you must be sorted into houses. Your houses will be your family, any rule breaking will lose house points. Who ever has the most house points at the end of the year will get the house cup. Now I suggest you clean yourselves up, we will see you momentarily." The professor, McGonagall or something or other had said before waltzing right back out.
"What house do you reckon you'll be in?"
"Not Slytherin I tell you. That outta piss my family off."
"Really Siri."
"What!? It's true. Alright then, what about you blokes?"
Jessica couldn't help over hearing the boys and glanced up to see James, Sirius and Remus discussing houses. A small lump of a boy seemed to have joined them.
"What about you Jessica?" She jumped and looked up with wide brown eyes flecked with amber towards Potter.
"W-w-what?" She stammered shyly, trying to ignore the snickers at her stammer. Flushing she looked down.
"What house do you think you'll be in?" James finished with a frown towards the other kids.
"U..um I don't know...Gryffindor?" A bark of a laugh echoed and suddenly a tall boy was in front of her, a Flint something.
"Oh please, a half blood like you would be lucky to even make it to Hufflepuff. Haven't you heard, only brave people make it into Gryffindor!" He snapped with a laugh as a few others in the nasty group laughed. Swallowing heavily and blinking back tears she turned away from the group of boys she had semi befriended, not seeing the angry or worried looks, as she stalked away from them only to lean against a wall.
Not even the sight of her oldest friend, Lilly Evans could cheer her up. Course she only spotted her because of the vibrant red hair. A small smile curled her lips weakly as Lilly trotted up.
"Fancy seeing you here Jess!"
"Hello Lilly." She mumbled softly, the grin on Lilly's face fell slowly as she frowned in turn.
"You alright?"
"I'm fine, how are you and that boy Severus doing?"
"Oh we're fine, oh look Professor McGonagall is back! Come on." Lilly chirped before snatching Jessica's hand and dragging her past the groups of children over to Severus. She could feel eyes on her, but didn't see anyone. Jess could only presume either she was being paranoid or someone really was watching her. Warily she walked with the only two people she sort of new into the great hall.
Mouth popping open she stared up at the ceiling in awe, Lilly babbling on about Hogwarts A History and enchanted ceilings meant to mimic the sky outside. It was beautiful and depicted a flawless night sky like that outside of these walls.
Positively beaming, Jessica decided she really did love this place already. Once an old hat was set on a stool and it had stopped singing, the roll call had begun. Jessica didn't know who had placed the names on the list, but alphabetical would have been nice. Of course now that she thought of it, seeing others go before her made her more and more nervous. She wish she had been first now. What if she wasn't chosen for a house? Were there any houses for floundering idiots like her?
Lilly had been chosen for Gryffindor whilst Severus for Slytherin much to Jessica's dismay, already her tiny group was being broken up. James, Sirius, Remus, and the other boy Peter were all Gryffendor as well. And then suddenly her turn had happened, she had completely been out of it and not even paying attention. Only realizing when something was amiss when someone shoved her forward and collective chuckles had occurred across the hall.
Swallowing heavily she slowly moved towards the stool and after seeing Lilly and the boys eagerly watching her, Jessica dropped her gaze and let the hat fall over her eyes. She could only pray that she didn't end up as Slytherin. Suddenly a voice was whispering in her ears making the poor young girl tense up with anxiety.
Plenty of talent, a thirst for attention, a need to prove yourself. Hmm yes...
Not very brave I see...
She flinched at that comment and bit her lip. Sucking in a shaking breath she listened with rapt attention. Her heart thumping in her chest as unbeknownst to her seconds turned into minutes. People shifting and glancing at each other.
Very smart though...
Ravenclaw perhaps? Oh but you are very loyal yes..oh yes...quiet a little knack for finding things.
hmm...better be...
"HUFFELPUFF!" Suddenly a table off to her right went wild, glancing up she paused when she saw the disappointment on Lilly's and the boys faces. Something about seeing that crushed her heart, she was the cause of it. Eyes glistening with tears she ducked her head and walked as quickly as she could right past them to the Huffelpuff table.
And so her first night at Hogwarts began.
AN:
Hey guys, so this is my first Harry Potter fanfic. Normally I do Transformers or Naruto. Let me know what you think on this, honestly I love the Harry Potter series (I've read all seven books at least five times - no joke). This is obviously in the Marauders Erra as I personally love the Marauders and they don't get nearly enough attention. They could be fleshed out so much better.
If you see any mistakes like in the way they act, please let me know. I would kindly appreciate it. There is only so much to go off of, but I will certainly try to portray them the best I can. Just a heads up, I do see Remus as like the responsible one of the group, but I could totally see James as the mother hen who worries about everyone and will fuck somebody up over his friends. Sirius obviously I see as the adorable puppy who acts arrogant, but really just loves being around people. And Peter...well I'm not sure honestly. Just the shy follower sort I get.
Lilly might be kinda snobby, but I see her as that type up until like 5th or 6th year. Severus I'm not sure of yet either, kind of a dick, however, that's to be expected considering he's in Slytherin and constantly gets picked on.
Hufflepuff's don't get enough attention, need I remind you Newt Schamander came from Hufflepuff. I just think it'd be cool to have a story with a person from that house as the main character. Honestly I don't know if there will be any romance. Friendship and angst yes. :)
Anyways, enough of my ranting. Let me know what you think so far.
~D.R. Out
