Chapter 2
I was the first person off the train when it arrived at Hogsmeade Station. Walking over to the carriages, I slowed to a stop when I saw the Thestrals pulling them. The drawings in my Care of Magical Creatures textbook did not do them justice. They were both enormous and intimidating, but they seemed more of an illusion than reality. If I reached out my hand, would I really feel the tattered leather of the wing? Would I really be able to trace those prominent ribs, covered with a thin layer of translucent, scarred skin? The huge creatures looked like the mounts of a Grim Reaper, everything about them radiating decay and death.
Gulping, I ducked into the nearest carriage and pressed myself into the corner furthest from the monstrous horses.
"Move your ass, Marlene, or you're going up to the castle on your own," a harried female voice shouted from outside the carriage. The door opened and a redheaded blur flew in, yanking a small blonde girl with it. As the blur slumped in her seat, ducking below the window, a tall brunette appeared at the door. Helping up the blonde who had tripped on the last step and sprawled across the floor of the carriage, the brunette drawled:
"Lily, would you relax? You said Potter barely even talked to you at the prefects meeting. If he were going to ask you out again, I think he would have done it already," she turned to the blonde. "Alice, are you okay? That was quite the face plant."
The blonde, now settled in the seat across from me, rubbed her wrist. "Yeah, I'm fine. My arm might bruise a little where Lily was clamped on, but yeah, I'm fine."
Lily grimaced. "Sorry, Alice."
The sound of students approaching the carriages was cut off when Lily leaned across Alice to slam the door closed, scanning the surrounding crowd warily. The carriage immediately started up the path to the castle. As everyone settled into their seats, Alice finally looked over and saw me.
"Oh, hello. I'm sorry about our abrupt entrance."
"Hi, it's fine. I'm Sophie Cato," I said, sending her a bright smile.
Lily and Marlene looked over at me in surprise, eyeing my Gryffindor uniform. Lily's eyebrows furrowed.
"I thought I knew just about everyone in Gryffindor, definitely all the girls," she said.
"I'm a transfer."
"Oh, you transferred schools? That's exciting. Where are you from?" Alice said.
"My family is from Italy," I replied carefully. "Headmaster Dumbledore had me sorted over the summer so I wouldn't have to be Sorted with the First Years. He mentioned that I should ask Lily Evans, the Head Girl, if I needed any help. I take it that's you?" I gestured to the gold pin on the front of Lily's robes.
"Yeah, that's me. This is Alice Prewett," she gestured to the petite blonde, who sent me a sweet, dimpled smile and a wave. "And this is Marlene Mckinnon," she pointed to the long-haired brunette flashing me a grin. "Let us know if you need anything. Forewarning, don't ask the Head Boy James Potter. He'll either make fun of you or prank you," Lily said.
"That's totally uncalled for Lily," Marlene scowled. Turning to me she said, "Ignore, Miss Fussypanties—"
"Marlene!"
"—she and Potter don't get along. He's a perfectly nice guy, although I will admit he and his friends are quite the pranksters. It's only for fun. Or if someone really deserves it."
Lily swelled, her face red. Just as she opened her mouth to begin what I'm sure would have been a long and well-rehearsed rant, the carriage drew to a stop.
Stepping out the side of the carriage facing the Black Lake, I could make out the large figure of Rubeus Hagrid, the groundskeeper, and several much smaller figures swarming around the boats on the far shore. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath of the fresh mountain air. The distant music of leaves rustling in the wind joined the clamor of students departing from the carriages. Opening my eyes again, I took in the sight of the sprawling lawn, the Black Lake reflecting the twilight sky, and Hagrid's hut dwarfed by the immense sea of trees and darkness of the Forbidden Forest.
Muscles in my cheeks pulling as an honest smile stretched across my face, I turned to face Hogwarts Castle. The familiar sight of the lofty towers and the solid stone walls warmed my chest. I craned my neck back to catch sight of the flag bearing the Hogwarts Crest waving from the highest tower.
"I know the size is kind of daunting," Lily's voice came from my left, her arm hooking around my elbow as Alice did the same on my right. "I promise if you need any help navigating, you are in good hands."
"Thanks. Dumbledore showed me around during the summer, but he mentioned that nothing really stays anywhere, so it might not help much."
Marlene joined our chain on Lily's other side and we wove our way through the crowd of people and into the castle. I loosened my arms, expecting the others to drop the chain as the crowd grew, but Lily just tightened her arm around mine and sent me back a smirk. Suddenly, Marlene was pulling us behind her as she barreled through the crowd.
"MOVE IT OR REGRET IT! COMING THROUGH, PEOPLE!" Marlene called out. The crowd ahead parted for her quickly, anyone who was too slow was roughly shoved to the side.
Within seconds we were inside the Great Hall. Muscle memory had me taking a couple steps toward the Slytherin table. Luckily, this only cemented the girls' assumption that I was new to the school.
"The Gryffindor table is on the far right," Alice explained. A group of people at the Hufflepuff table stood and waved for Alice to join. "I'm a Hufflepuff, so I have to sit at the table next to yours for the Feast. See you girls later."
After Alice had left, we made our way to the Gryffindor table, sitting near the middle. A few minutes after we had sat down, Lily stiffened as four boys approached the other side of the table. Arguing quietly, they didn't seem to notice anything around them until Lily spoke up.
"Oh no, Potter, you are not sitting here. I don't want to deal with your shenanigans right now."
The Marauders immediately broke apart. As Sirius's eyes met mine, I felt a smile twitching at my lips. I couldn't help but remember the sight of him tearing out of the train compartment half-dressed. The more I thought about it, the funnier it got, a little smile stretching my cheeks. To my surprise, Sirius didn't get irritated or angry like he had on the train. Instead, he sent me a dazzling grin.
"Well would you look at that. Our little stowaway is rather gorgeous when she smiles," he winked at me.
The smile fell from my lips as my eyebrow rose. "That is quite the turnaround in personality. Have you ever been diagnosed with bipolar disorder?"
James let out a guffaw of laughter before turning his attention to Lily. "Relax, Evans. I didn't even notice you were here. The table is mostly full up. You'll only have to put up with me for an hour or so. It'll be good practice for our prefect meetings."
Lily pursed her lips together and turned to the Head Table, even though it would be several more minutes before all the students were seated and the first years would walk in.
Marlene ignored Lily, instead narrowing her eyes at Sirius. "What do you mean, stowaway? How do you guys know Sophie?"
"She was in our compartment on the train," Sirius shot me another grin. "Sleeping like a dragon in hibernation. DIdn't even twitch when we came in."
I blinked. "Do dragons hibernate?"
"Hmm… I don't think so. Why do you ask?" Sirius said.
"What?"
"You're not making any sense, Sophie. Maybe you need to take another nap," Sirius returned, flashing yet another grin. "You would be surprised by the wonders a little beauty sleep can do for you."
Suddenly, everything clicked together. "Oh, you're trying to do that backhanded flirting thing. That makes so much more sense. I could not figure out why you were acting like such a creep. Now I understand. You think that I'll let something slip just because you're flirting with me? Really, love, you're going to have to do better than that."
Sirius grinned. "What are you so worried about letting slip?"
Damn it.
The doors of the Great Hall opened, admitting the first years. I used the distraction to gather my thoughts. How had he gotten to me so fast? It wasn't a big slip up since they already knew I was hiding something, but I hated the idea that Sirius Black had manipulated me. I had underestimated him.
Two years ago, he had been the center of many girls' attention. I thought I understood it back then. He's always been charming and handsome, and what girl doesn't love a bad boy? Not only that, but he is a mystery. No one outside of the Marauders knows much about his past, only that his relationship with his family is rocky at best. I had too much going on in my own life at the time to indulge in a crush, but I could understand why people flocked around him. Now however…
It's not like I'm falling into a puddle at his feet, but lying to myself won't do me any favors. Sirius Black is charming as hell. That grin of his, the way it showed just the tips of his teeth, pulling more to the left than the right, inviting me to laugh with him, whatever the reason.
A shiver ran down my spine and I shook myself from that line of thought. No. Absolutely not. I am stronger than this. Sirius Black might have half the population of Hogwarts, including the professors, under his spell but I am no stranger to charm. I can't hide away my secrets forever, but I'm sure as charming hell not blurting them out until I decide.
Feeling eyes on me, I looked up to meet the light brown eyes of Remus. I focused on the color, noting the flecks of gold that caught the light of the floating candles, watching the pupils contract and the surface of his eyes dull as he fought the urge to blink. I noted the uneasiness in the furrow of his brow, but didn't let my gaze waver. Studying the skin around his eyes, I noticed a small white scar running from his temple and across his cheekbone. It was hardly noticeable, but the more I looked, the more I saw. One ran from his upper lip to his chin. They looked old, but they must have been painful when he had gotten them.
Remus finally blinked, turning away from me to say something to Peter, who had elbowed him. I didn't miss the quiver in his shoulders like he had shuddered. I smirked to myself. I might dislike my parents, but I sent an unspoken thank you to my mother for my pale green eyes. Looking into them, I knew, could be quite unsettling.
"—roast beef. Hello," a hand waved in front of my nose." Anybody in there? Pass the roast beef, please."
I broke out of my thoughts to notice that the Welcoming feast had already arrived. Now that I noticed, I don't know how I ignored it before. The smell of various warm meats, sauces, and freshly baked bread assaulted my nose, making my mouth water as I realized I hadn't eaten yet today. The fierce growl of my stomach went unnoticed in the din of chatter and clatter of silverware that boomed throughout the Great Hall. Suddenly ravenous, I grabbed several slices of roast beef before passing it to Marlene. Grabbing a healthy amount of everything around me, I dug in.
As I was sinking my teeth in a particularly succulent chicken leg, Lily ground an elbow into my side.
"What?" I mumbled, not bothering to swallow.
"First, gross. Were you raised in a cave? Chew your food," Lily said, nose scrunched.
I rolled my eyes and straightened. Setting down the chicken, I picked up my fork and knife.
"My apologies, Mother. I don't know what came over me to behave like such a barbarian. My sincerest apologies to our other dining companions. I can offer only excuses," I bobbed my head in deference to the others, exactly as I had been taught, and cut a small chunk out of the chicken.
Lily rolled her eyes as Marlene and James laughed. Remus and Peter were still involved in their own conversation, shooting looks at the Head Table while Sirius was focused on my hands. I frowned at him and opened my mouth but was interrupted when Lily elbowed me again.
"What?" I snapped.
She leaned in close. "So you and Remus?" she whispered, wiggling her eyebrows. She shot a look to Remus, who was rummaging in his robes, pulling something out to show Peter under the table.
"What?" I said again.
"As your mother, I'm ordering you to expand your vocabulary," Lily grinned. "You and Remus were kind of gazing into each other's' eyes for like ten minutes. It seemed pretty intense. Is there something going on between you two?"
I blinked at her for a moment. Then, just to bother her:
"What?"
She rolled her eyes again, but looked at me expectantly.
"No. I noticed him looking at me and decided to unnerve him," I gave in, taking a bite of my roll.
"What do you mean 'unnerve him'?"
"It's a trick I picked up when I was trying to teach myself Legillimency. At least it wasn't a total waste of time. You really need an instructor for—"
"Stop going off topic," Lily commanded. "How did you 'unnerve' him?"
"Eye contact is necessary when you start out learning Legillimency. You need to clear your mind and focus on what is going on beneath the surface. I always got distracted by what the eyes looked like, but my test subjects informed me that my eyes freaked them out because it was 'like I was looking into their soul'. Their words, not mine. That is essentially what I was trying to do, but since I never actually succeeded, I think it's just because studying someone with so much concentration creates the illusion of seeing more than they want you to," I rambled.
"So there's nothing going on between you and Remus?"
"He's handsome and he seems sweet, but no. There hasn't really been that spark. You know, like when you're in the same room, you automatically know the other person is there," I replied.
Lily smiled, though she seemed a bit disappointed. "Sounds like someone's in love."
"Love is a strong word, but I've been in a relationship before," I said. "Why? Are you trying to set him up or something?"
"There are plenty of girls who have been interested in him," she sighed. "But he always turns them away. He only dates when the boys push him hard enough."
"They all seem really close. What's the story?"
By this time, dinner had disappeared and been replaced by dessert. I picked out a few of them, glancing at the Marauders to see if they were listening in. They were huddled together again. Periodically, one would poke his head out and scan the people nearest them, presumably checking for eavesdroppers.
"They've all been best friends since first year. They call themselves 'the Marauders'. It's totally lame. They prank people all the time. I'm actually kind of surprised. They'd usually have created some big chaotic mess by now," Lily scowled. "Last year during the Welcoming Feast, they cast some sort of Anti-Gravity charm. Everyone was floating around for three hours before the Professors figured out how to reverse it."
I laughed loud enough to break the boys out of their huddle. "It took three hours to break a simple Anti-Gravity charm?"
Catching onto our conversation, James posed indignantly.
"A simple Anti-Gravity charm? The Marauders never do anything simple. We added modifications to the spell. Thing of beauty, that was," James grinned. "I'm pretty sure Dumbles could have gotten through it much sooner, but he was much more interested in doing cartwheels."
I laughed again.
When Dumbledore stood up a few minutes later, I had to stifle my laughter again as an image of him twirling through the air popped into my head.
As silence fell around the Hall and he began the usual welcome back speech, my gaze wandered over to the Slytherin table, where Regulus was sitting between Severus Snape and Evan Rosier. As Dumbledore's speech went on, he casually glanced around the Slytherin Table. He was looking for me.
"—ask all students to remember that, under no circumstances, are they to enter the Forbidden Forest," Dumbledore said, looking directly at the oblivious Marauders, who had their heads stuck together again. "Our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is Professor Amondreus Yant. He is quite experienced in his field and we thank him for agreeing to join us for this year during his sabbatical and wish him a full and rapid recovery."
A middle-aged man with fair, thinning hair seated between Professors Flitwick and Vector, rose. Half of his head and one eye were wrapped in white gauze, but didn't hide the entire wound. Jagged lines crossed his face, the torn skin gleaming red. Either he had refused magical medical attention or whatever caused those claw marks is resistant to magic.
There was a decent amount of applause before he sat down.
"And we shall close out the feast with our euphonious school song. Please join me in whatever tune you so desire."
Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Overlapping voices filled the hall, everyone singing a different note. Suddenly, the air behind the head table erupted in sparkling colored powder coalescing into the image of a fifteen foot old man. His face was lined with wrinkles and he leaned heavily on a cane. He was entirely composed of a random conglomeration of yellow, purple, and blue glitter.
Whether we be old and bald,
The old man did a little jig with his cane before being joined by a small orange and green boy wearing old-fashioned shorts displaying knees with patches of red glitter.
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling,
Both of the images took a bow, tipping their hats to reveal empty space where scalp and brains should be.
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
Like a shot being expelled from a cannon, small bits of glittering white cotton and black specks exploded from the dancing figures heads straight into the air and spreading over the laughing and singing crowd.
So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
The old man and the boy twirled and when they were once again facing the crowd, their faces were disfigured and gaunt, but still cartoonlike. They raised their arms and staggered forward with mouths agape.
And learn until our brains all rot
As the last line rang out, the zombie dancers erupted into clouds of glitter that stuck to everything they touched. Bedecked with a grin and purple sparkles I turned to an equally amused and bedazzled Marlene, though the brunette was covered in yellow and blue. Marlene gestured to the conspicuously clean Marauders.
"Was this you guys?" I asked.
Sirius grinned and winked.
Biting my lip, I looked down at the table. In a split second decision, the small pile of red glitter that had been sitting in front of me by my plate was hurtling through the air before colliding with his cheek. Lily, whose face had been caught between a scowl and a grin, doubled over in laughter.
Marlene quickly joined me by picking up two handfuls of glitter and tossing them at Remus and James. The Marauders all traded looks before returning fire at the two girls, who quickly hid by a still laughing Lily. Lily yelped as she was pelted with even more glitter. Like a ripple in a pond, the glitter fight spread out from the small group at the Gryffindor table to the entire Hall. I even spotted Professor Sprout dumping a plate of pink glitter on Hagrid's beard.
About an hour later, Marlene and Lily had guided me up to the Gryffindor common room and to the Seventh Year girls' dormitory. After cleaning off the glitter, the other girls fell asleep quickly, but I stayed up for a while, thinking about my first day as a Gryffindor.
Recalling the bitter feelings I had while watching the Marauders laugh and joke with each other, I felt a little guilty for my jealousy. They and the other girls had made me laugh more tonight than I had in months.
I frowned. Should I be having so much fun, laughing so much, when Mel had only been gone for a few months? It felt flippant to be happy when she wasn't here, but it also felt so right to laugh when I'm with my new acquaintances. They were goofy and fun.
I fell into a restless sleep, a war still raging in my dreams. Happiness or respectfulness? The gaunt face of my little sister in her last moments, with her breath rasping in her throat haunted me while the handsome face and twinkling grey eyes of a certain Marauder taunted me.
Dear beloved Readers,
I'd love to hear your guys' theories and opinions on the story. I won't do to many author's notes because I personally don't like reading them, but I'd love to hear what you guys are thinking while you're reading! I can do more author's notes if that's what you want.
Sorry for the long delay. I was really curious about the kind of reception my writing would get, so I posted this story as an experiment. I'm really loving the response so far. It's very encouraging.
Thanks for reading!
Jae
