September 1, 1971

Elmira rushed through Kings Cross Station as fast as she could. Her cart was filled to the brim with school supplies and it bumped up and down with each crack on the pavement. Though she could barely see over the enormous pile, she refused to do anything other than run. Her head swiveled as she rushed by people and carts and trains, trying to take everything in. She had never seen so many muggles in her whole life and they were just so… wonderful! So many colors and not a single robe to be found.

She could barely hold in her excitement as she hurried across the platforms. She had waited so long to go to Hogwarts and now that it was finally happening, it felt almost like a dream. Better than a dream. There were so many things she was going to do! She was definitely looking forward to learning some proper magic, but the idea of being away from her father for three whole months made her practically giddy.

"Slow down, Mira."

Her mother's stern voice made her stop abruptly. Everything on her cart jostled and clattered, and she turned to give her mother an apologetic grin.

Larissa Avery glided toward her daughter, her head held high and her hands neatly folded in front of her. The long, black robe she wore made her stick out amongst the crowd. Each person she passed hurried to get out of her way; it seemed that even muggles could feel her air of authority and class.

Though her mother appeared aloof, Elmira knew her mannerisms well. Almost too well. After so many years of watching her, she knew that her distant attitude was a product of necessity rather than choice.

"Sorry, mum." Elmira mumbled as she waited for her mother to catch up to her.

"We mustn't stray too far from your brother and father." The older woman scolded.

"But they're so slow!"

Larissa's eyes smiled down at her daughter though her face did not.

"Perhaps you're simply too fast."

"That's true! I'm definitely faster than Bash!"

"I'm sure you are, but don't let him hear you say that."

"It'll be our secret?"

Elmira looked at her mother hopefully, excited at the prospect of having something between them that only they knew about.

Larissa's lips twitched up for half a second before she gave a sharp nod.

Her more reserved response had Elmira straightening her posture immediately. She knew what that look meant.

Her father was coming.

"Larissa. Elmira. There you are."

The large man came to stand beside his wife, placing his hand on the small of her back. Bastian wasn't too far behind. His cart came to a halt next to Elmira's and she glanced at him only to see him already looking at her, a sneer on his face. Elmira pressed her lips into a thin line and tried her hardest to make herself invisible.

"You mustn't go off like that," Thanatos continued, his voice harsh, "I don't want you mingling too long around these people."

"We were simply waiting for you, darling." Larissa said flatly as she slowly raked her eyes over the crowds.

"I'm sorry." Elmira muttered, "I didn't mean to go so far..."

She stopped talking when she looked up at her father. Though her words were completely genuine, he didn't seem to care. He didn't seem to have listened at all, actually. Instead, he stared down at her, his black eyes narrowed, dark facial hair making him look more sinister and his usually handsome face twisted in disappointment.

Elmira turned her head toward the ground as her shoulder's slumped. He never seemed to look at her any other way.

"I'm sorry, daddy…"

She felt his gaze on her for a few more moments before he walked briskly down the platform, bringing his wife with him.

"Come." He said, "Before we miss the train."

Elmira took a shuddering breath in before she heaved her cart forward, having to push extremely hard to get it going.

"Why can't you just be good for once?"

The eleven-year-old shot her brother a withering glance out of the corner of her eye. His harsh words were reflected in his face and she immediately looked away, blushing in embarrassment.

"I don't know why he doesn't like me..." Elmira mumbled, her hands gripping the cart in white knuckled fists.

"You never do what you're supposed to. If you just behaved, there wouldn't be any problems. Maybe if you fixed that, then he'd like you."

Bastian gave her another haughty look before sticking his nose in the air and following their parents.

Elmira stood there for a moment more, her hands shaking and a familiar sting in her eyes. She blinked rapidly to make it go away. With a deep breath in, she followed after her family. They were already a significant distance from her on the platform; she could just barely make out her father's dark head and her mother's black robe. Though she knew she would probably be scolded again for falling too far behind, she didn't really care. She took her time.

When she finally did catch up with her family, it was just in time to see Bastian's foot disappearing into the pillar between platforms nine and ten. Her father was quick to follow after him. Elmira felt a small pang in her chest at the sight. It was her first time going to Hogwarts and he hadn't even waited for her.

Seeing the disappointed look on her daughter's face, Larissa swiftly came up behind her. Without saying a word, she took Elmira's hand into her own and gave it a tight squeeze. The small girl instantly felt better. They shared a smile before running through the barrier together.

Going through the magical doorway made Elmira's head feel tingly, but all the sad feelings she had slipped away. Right in front of her sat the glossy, red Hogwarts Express. Her brother had told her all about it and sitting on it had become one of her biggest dreams.

"Mum…" She whispered, almost in awe as she looked at it.

"Yes, I know, darling. It's quite spectacular."

Elmira wondered why her mother had suddenly become so monotone, but she quickly noticed the Lestrange family standing a few feet away. She had met them all at various parties over the years and knew enough about them to be afraid. Their hooded eyes and judging stares were enough to make her run in the other direction.

It was soon obvious that Rabastan Lestrange was staring at her. Repulsed, she quickly looked away. Though he was her age, he was just like her brother and she wanted nothing to do with him.

Larissa nodded politely to the Lestranges before crisply walking toward the other end of the platform. Elmira followed closely behind, all too eager to get away from the frightening family she was all too familiar with.

It wasn't long before they found Thanatos and Bastian. The older man was giving his son a strong clap on the shoulder, whispering something Elmira couldn't hear, but whatever it was it made Bastian smile proudly.

"It's almost time for the train to leave." Larissa said as she came to stand by her husband's side. Thanatos looked irritated at the interruption, but a look of indifference quickly hid it.

"Yes." He said, still looking at his son, "You know what to do, Bastian. You've made us very proud thus far and I expect nothing less from you this year."

"Of course, father. I won't let you down."

"I know you won't."

Thanatos gave Bastian's shoulder a tight squeeze before releasing him. The boy nodded politely to his father before approaching Larissa to say his good-byes. The two moved to the side a little, leaving Elmira with her father.

"I expect you to adhere to the rules we have put in place for you, Elmira." He said, placing his hands in his pockets and looking down at her over his nose, "Must I go over those rules for you or do you think you can manage on your own?"

Elmira was so taken aback by his blatant rudeness that she began stammering, her mouth opening and closing as she struggled to figure out what to say to please him.

"Of course." Thanatos huffed, clearly irritated, "I should have expected this from you."

Elmira shrunk under his gaze.

"You will do nothing to draw attention to yourself. Grades are to be Os or Es as anything else would be a disgrace and completely unacceptable for someone of our stature. I will receive no letters from this school unless they're praising your intelligence or behavior, though that is highly unlikely in both cases. The friends you make will be of the highest caliber. Mudbloods are beneath you and you are not to fraternize with them in any way unless it is absolutely necessary."

Elmira's fists tightened and she bit down on her tongue. No matter how many times she heard these words, they always managed to fill her with white hot anger. The way he spoke to her was embarrassing and she wanted nothing more than to do the exact opposite of what he told her to do.

"If somehow these guidelines prove to be too difficult for you," her father continued, "I have instructed Bastian to keep an eye on you. He will be in your house, after all."

Her eyes flicked toward her brother. The green and silver on his robes made her stomach hurt.

"Am I asking too much of you, Elmira?" Thanatos asked, his voice low and threatening. He was clearly expecting one answer.

"No, father."

"Good. I'll see you at Christmas time."

With a swish of his robes, her father walked away and didn't look back.

Elmira immediately felt empty. She watched as he approached her mother and brother. It wasn't the first time she had felt this pang of loneliness but it hurt nonetheless. Her family stood talking together without her.

Soon, Bastian boarded the train and Thanatos walked to the other end of the platform, presumably to talk with Mr. Lestrange, leaving Larissa and Elmira alone. The blonde woman wasted no time in crossing the distance to her daughter.

"You're going to have a great year, sweetheart." She said, her voice purposefully quiet as she enveloped the small girl in her arms.

Elmira nodded into her mother's robes.

"Do you remember what we talked about?"

Elmira almost missed the words over the loud chatter of platform 9¾ , Larissa had spoken so quietly, but she did hear and she nodded quickly.

"Anything but Slytherin." She said, careful not to speak loud enough to be overheard.

"Yes." Larissa pulled back and held her daughter's face in her hands. Worried green eyes met reassuring ones.

"You're too good for this family, Mira. Don't let your father make you think anything less. I'm proud of you always."

With tears clouding her vision, Elmira nodded and held tightly to her mother. The two shared a warm and slightly desperate embrace before Larissa pulled away. Her cold mask returned to her face as she straightened Elmira's robes.

"This year, you will become who you are supposed to be." She stated, "Chose carefully and try not to cause too much trouble. You know your father won't be pleased with you if we hear even the hint of misbehavior."

Elmira fought to suppress a grin at seeing her mother's façade fall in place.

"I'll do my best, mum."

Larissa nodded, her lips twitching upwards.

"Good." She said, folding her hands in front of her, "Now, go and get on the train before it leaves you here."

Elmira nodded, "I love you, mum."

Her mother's eyes softened and she leaned down to place a firm kiss to Elmira's forehead.

"Be who you want to be, Mira. Don't be afraid of anything."

Elmira pulled away from her mother, smiling wider than she had in a long time. Neither of them really wanted to separate but the low whistle of the Hogwarts Express shook the platform and Larissa gave her daughter a small push toward the train. Elmira flashed her mother one last smile before hopping aboard, the click of her mother's heels echoing behind her as she walked away.

It took Elmira a great deal of effort to heave her trunk onto the train, but she did manage it. All on her own, too. Not to mention that it only took her two tries to safely secure her trunk onto a rack by the door. Though she was sweating and finding it somewhat difficult to stifle her panting, she was quite proud of herself.

She stood with her hands on her hips, surveying her handy work, when a series of soft grunts got her attention. A few feet away stood a tall, sandy haired boy. His arms were wrapped around a large trunk not unlike her own and, also not unlike herself, he was struggling to lift his trunk onto the rack.

"Hi." Elmira moved toward the boy without thinking, "I can help with that if you'd like..."

The boy startled at her voice, almost dropping his trunk. His head whipped around and he looked at her with wide, brown eyes. Elmira immediately noticed faint scars on his face, stretching across his cheek and forehead. She momentarily wondered what had happened to him but he buckled under the weight of his trunk and she remembered why she had approached him in the first place.

"I'll take this side!" She hurried toward him and took hold of one of the handles. The boy gave a sigh of relief as some of the weight was taken out of his hands.

"Thank you." He said shyly. Though he sounded genuinely grateful, he didn't look her in the eyes.

"So…" Elmira said when he remained silent, "where do you want to put this?"

A hint of color tinged his cheeks.

"Oh, um… right up there is fine." He nudged his shoulder toward an open spot on the rack above their heads.

"Alright." Elmira said, "You lift it up and I'll push it in."

The boy nodded and quickly hoisted his end of the trunk up and onto the rack. Elmira used all her body weight to shove the trunk in. It hit the wall with a thud and the two children shared a triumphant grin.

"We make a pretty good team." Elmira said, her eyes twinkling happily.

The boy chuckled and his eyes flicked toward her.

"It seems we do." He said timidly, "Thanks for helping me... I probably couldn't have done it without you."

"It's no problem at all. I barely managed it myself."

They stood there for a moment longer, both staring at each other and neither knowing what to say, before the train lurched forward. Elmira stumbled as she tried not to completely fall over, while the boy leaned on the wall to steady himself.

"We should find a place to sit." He said once the train started picking up speed.

Elmira nodded but as he started to walk away, she was suddenly overcome with nervousness.

"I-I don't suppose… would you mind if we sat together?" She called after him, making him stop, "I'm only a first year and I don't know anyone yet. Other than my brother, I mean, but I would rather walk to Hogwarts than sit with him."

The boy laughed. Whether it was at her jibe at her brother or at her rambling she didn't know, but he nodded anyway. Elmira grinned, and when she noticed that his eyes had taken on a happier shine, her grin grew wider.

"I don't know anyone either," the boy said, shoving his hands into his slightly worn out trousers, "I'm a first year too."

"Oh, that's perfect!" Elmira beamed and strode directly up to him, "We can be best friends, then."

He chuckled again, this time louder and less reserved.

"Okay. But we need to make sure we're in the same house then."

"Oh… Well what house do you want to be in?"

"Well, my dad wants me to be a Gryffindor like him, but I've always thought I'd be better suited for Ravenclaw."

"Why's that?" Elmira frowned curiously. She knew what her family thought about the various Hogwarts houses, but she was interested in knowing what other, more normal, people had to say.

"Gryffindors are the house of the brave and chivalrous." The boy said, his tone becoming sad, "I just know that I don't belong there."

Elmira's frown deepened.

"I think you belong wherever you want to go." She insisted, unsure of why she felt the strange need to encourage this boy who was practically a stranger to her, "You can still be brave even if you don't think you are. Bravery is a choice and you can be whatever you choose."

The boy gave her a curious look, "Do you really think so?"

"I know so." Elmira nodded confidently, "My mum told me."

He looked at her hesitantly, seeming to weight her words in his mind, before his lips turned up in a small, hopeful smile. She returned it with even more fervor and headed down the aisle, her new friend following closely behind.

It seemed that every compartment they passed was full. They were slowly coming up on the end of the train and Elmira was becoming worried that she'd have to spend her entire first trip to Hogwarts in the aisle.

"So, what house do you want to be in?" The boy called out from behind her, drawing her out of her musings.

"Anything but Slytherin." She nodded sharply, a determined expression on her face.

"Do your parents not like Slytherin either?"

Elmira heard the boy chuckle but her face darkened.

"No... They were both in Slytherin. My brother too."

"Oh…"

He seemed to know what that meant and didn't ask her any more questions on the matter. The two were quiet as they made their way down the train.

"I'm Remus Lupin, by the way." He said instead, breaking the silence, "I don't think I said that earlier."

Elmira giggled, "No, I don't think we did introduce ourselves."

She came to a halting stop in the middle of the aisle and turned toward him fully, offering him her hand and a dimpled smile. "I'm Elmira Avery. But only my father calls me that, so you can call me Mira."

Remus smiled back at her and wrapped his large hand around hers, shaking it cordially.

"Now, then." Elmira chirped, bouncing over to Remus' side and linking her arm with his, "We're officially best friends."

His body stiffened at her touch but he quickly relaxed, chuckling at her enthusiasm. "Who knew I'd find my best friend before finding a seat on the train." He mused, a hint of laughter in his voice.

"What a crazy world." Elmira smirked up at him before pulling him down the aisle, "Come on. There has to be an open place somewhere!"

After peeking into the last few compartments, disrupting a couple snogging, and getting threatened by a group of older Slytherin boys, they finally found a place to sit. It was the second to last compartment and was mostly empty other than a girl with fiery, dark red hair and a sour looking, black haired boy.

"Excuse me," Elmira knocked on the door as she poked her head into the compartment, "Do you mind if we sit here with you? Everywhere else seems to be full."

"Of course!" The girl said, waving them in, "There's plenty of room."

The boy didn't seem as welcoming as his friend and Elmira hesitated for just a moment before taking a seat across from him, next to the girl. That left Remus to sit beside the boy, who shifted further toward the window when he sat down. Elmira gave her friend an apologetic look when his shoulders slumped just the slightest.

"I'm Lily Evans." The red-haired girl said, clearly oblivious to the tension.

Elmira spared one more glance at Remus before turning to Lily. She was immediately struck by the intensity of the girl's emerald green eyes.

"Elmira Avery," she said once she'd recovered, "but I'd rather you call me Mira."

"Avery? Like Sacred Twenty-Eight Avery?"

The dark-haired boy turned away from the window entirely, seeming to perk up. His black eyes stared at Elmira in interest as he leaned forward, his greasy hair dangling in front of his face.

"Yes. Those Averys." Elmira murmured, "Unfortunately."

The boy didn't seem to have heard that last bit because he was looking at her like he was almost impressed. Elmira gripped the seat tightly in her hands as she tried not to glare at him.

"What's the Scared Twenty-Eight?" Lily asked with a frown.

"They're the twenty-eight wizarding families in Britain considered to be the most pure-blooded." The boy said quickly, seeming to snap out of whatever awed trance he had been in after hearing Elmira's name. "The Averys are one of the most powerful and influential families in the country."

"The whole thing is ridiculous." Elmira commented, growing more and more irritated, "My family isn't anything special."

The dark-haired boy stared at her in surprise while she stared back, finding it increasingly difficult not to glare.

"Well, I'm Remus Lupin. It's very nice to meet you, Lily." Remus leaned forward to shake Lily's hand, effectively ending all discussion about Elmira's family. She gave him a thankful look as he leaned back into his seat.

"And this is Severus." Lily gestured toward the greasy haired boy. He nodded curtly at them but didn't say anything.

"Are you both first years too?" Remus asked.

Lily nodded, "Severus and I have been looking forward to coming to Hogwarts since forever."

"How do you two know each other?" Elmira was curious how such a sweet girl could befriend such a seemingly irritating boy.

"We're from the same place." Lily said, "Cokeworth, by the Bristol Channel… Severus was actually the first one to tell me I had magic."

She spoke with so much fondness for the boy that Elmira found herself looking at him again. He was gazing at Lily, his lips twisted up in the smallest of smiles, and Elmira knew he couldn't be all bad.

"Well, it must be nice to be going to school with one of your friends." She said kindly. Severus looked almost shocked at her words.

"Oh yes." Lily smiled happily, "What about you then? How did you and Remus meet?"

"She saved me from a possible brain injury not even twenty minutes ago." Remus chuckled as he looked at Elmira, a twinkle of mischief in his eye.

"Oh, yes." She grinned, "He owes me his life now. How does indentured servitude feel, eh Remus?"

"Not as awful as I expected it to. Luckily I have a kind master."

The two erupted into giggles with Lily joining in. Severus simply shook his head in irritation, though Elmira could have sworn she saw his mouth turn up for just a moment.

Throughout the rest of the ride, Elmira completely forgot about her family. Later, she would look back in surprise at the fact that she was actually enjoying herself. She and Remus got on splendidly with Lily as they found that they all loved to read, spurring a lengthy discussion about muggle and wizarding novels. Severus was less talkative, preferring to listen in or quickly interrupt to give his somewhat moody opinions, but Elmira didn't mind. He was quite witty and she appreciated his bluntness. Plus, he claimed to be particularly adept at wizard's chess and she now had a game planned with him sometime in the near future. She was very much looking forward to beating him.

It wasn't long until they were nearing Hogwarts. Students ran through the train, eagerly pulling on their robes and chattering about this and that. All the commotion had the four new friends grinning ear to ear. Severus had changed into his school robes the moment he stepped foot on the train, but Elmira, Lily, and Remus were still in their day clothes. With excited grins on their faces, they scrambled to change as fast as they could.

Elmira was just pulling her robe over her shoulder when the train came to a halt. After stumbling, she jumped up and flung the compartment door open.

"Well, what are you slow pokes waiting for?" She grinned before taking off, her new friends following close behind her.