The Story,

Chapter 2 –

-Evie-

I felt forever grateful towards Alexis as she chatted up "connections" and got my stuff instantly moved into a spare bed in her own dorm. I was afraid instantly though, walking into the room with the remainder of my stuff. What if the other girls didn't like me? They couldn't be worse than the ones I'd previously bunked with, but I was still terrified.

I hadn't slept a good night at Hogwarts since the time Yvonne Thymer put fire slugs at the bottom of my bed, hidden by my sheets. I'd woken up screaming in agony as my legs built up a burning rash worse than anything I'd ever experienced.

You could say I was tortured my whole school life, but I never thought of it that way. Not anymore at least. I guess I saw it as daily routine. Training. For the bigger and more dangerous things out there.

I shuddered at the memory before being pulled quickly back into reality.

"Evie," She addressed me almost unhappily, but when I saw who she was looking at, I could tell why. A girl with dead-straight hair cropped to her neck smiled up at us. Not a happy smile. "That's Felicity and her side-kick Amber over there," She pointed to a girl with blonde hair and blue eyes.

I swallowed and Amber rolled her eyes dramatically and said in an unbelievably naisley voice, "Don't call me a side-kick. That's totally rude of you and like, I totally think for myself." She said in her proper-English accent. "I haven't got one dumb hair on my head!" Now she looked purely like she was going to cry.

Alexis rolled her eyes and shot me a look which pushed my mood up, enough for me to smile. "And that's Maybelle," she pointed to a girl who sat on her bed, holding up a magazine on 'Modern Art' and was flicking her wand at her toes, each of them turning a shade of purple, perfectly painted. The girl was dark-skinned and had dreadlocks of dark hair, a couple bleach blonde hiding among the rest.

"Hey," Maybelle only glanced at me before tossing her magazine aside and blowing on her toes. I looked around at the girls and knew just how this would go.

"Evie is it?" Felicity asked, standing up and realizing very quickly she was taller than me. "Short for… Eve… I suppose?"

"Plsdntcmeat." I mumbled and she made a face. I blushed bright red and she bent down to look at my face, as if talking to a child.

"Sorry, what? Do you speak human?" She giggled and Amber did too. I felt like melting into the floor.

"I s-said… please don't call me that." I said strongly, bringing my eyes to meet the girls'.

"That's enough, bitch." Alexis sighed, grabbing my arm and pulling me away as the girl only cackled louder. "Here's your bed." Alexis pointed to the one closest to the door, empty and next to her own. "The other girl was pulled out of Hogwarts."

"What for?" I asked, trying to forget about Amber and Felicity.

Alexis shrugged and dramatically fell backwards onto her bed, "Her parental don't believe in magic."

"That's ridiculous,"

"Aint it?"

I smiled and sat down on the bed. This wouldn't be too bad, I thought. Not with Alexis, my new friend by my side. The way she shot me a smile and then got up to grab out her things for bed, made me realize that we weren't just friends, but that we were good friends, maybe on the way to best friends.

I didn't get my hopes up, though. I had watched the way people looked at her when we arrived. Watched the way boys smirked at their mates and nudged and muttered things when she walked by. I'd watched the way, that girls around stared with envy.

I was happy enough to just be walking in her shadow, to be quite honest. I wanted to tell her so, but like a lot of things I'd heard, Alexis would probably thing it was ridiculous of me to be so grateful.

But when one goes without friends for so long, you forget what being wanted is like. I realized I'd been missing out on an amazing feeling and now, I was so happy to get it back.

I knew, that this year, of all my six years I'd spent at Hogwarts, would be my best.

Hoo-wat, for sure.

-Alexis-

I hated waking up. I don't really understand what part of it makes me hate it so much, the 'waking' part or the 'up' part.

I groaned and looked across at my wooden alarm clock. Two minutes and it'd burst to life again for the fifth time, most likely causing Maybelle to have a rage.

Closing my eyes tightly before letting my body arise, finally I was up and alive. "About time," Evie smiled at me from her bed. She was combing her hair back into a pony-tail, her fringe falling out every time she tried to stick it back. Finally she sighed and brushed it to the side.

"Breakfast's in five, girl." Maybelle slapped the back of my thigh after ripping my sheets off. I whined and rolled over, trying to grab them but they were gone.

"Oh you're so not getting back into that routine," I grumbled as I had to climb out of bed and stick my arms under it, trying to un-hinge my sheet from their capture. Maybelle had conveniently devised a charm that, with one flick of her wand, my sheets would run for their life and I would have to go and get them myself.

"I so am if you don't get up on time," Maybelle said, coming out with her eyes all makeup-ed to look like a cat's. Evie stared in fascination. She never wore make up to class.

"Alright," I sighed, "I'm up. Gimme that," I snatched Maybelle's makeup bag from her and headed off to the bathrooms, grabbing my uniform on the way.

Breakfast was awesome, just like everything else really. I'd been greeted with a raunchy kiss from Johnny to start my day. I never imagined being pinned to a wall with everybody watching could have ever been so fun. Then I'd accidentally spilt my pumpkin juice into Amber's lap.

"Woops," I smirked as she tried frantically to remember a charm to clean it up, finally crying for help as a boy from the next table helped her in a heartbeat, causing him to roll his eyes and Amber to look as red as a tomato.

"Amber as a fruit. Merlin, I'd love to see that…"

"What?" Evie frowned over the page of the Daily Prophet at me. I snorted.

"Never mind. Anything worth my time?" I tried to peak at the column she was reading but she pulled it away from my views. "Hey," I smiled.

"Nothing interesting at all," She said with a grin.

"What'chu reading?" I smirked cheekily, reaching for the paper but again she pulled it away from me. So instead, I leant over to a boy in my year, pointed at the paper of which he happily shook his head and gave over. "Thank you, kind sir."

I flicked to the page I was pretty sure she was reading and rolled my eyes, "Tell me you're not in love with him too?" I sighed loudly.

"Not love," Evie snapped defensively. I smiled and already knew we were going to be good pals. "Just… fascination. It's allowed."

"He's a twenty-eight year old wizard who lives by himself, out in the hills, drinks tea like Muggle's watch reality TV and writes about sappy shit only mother's should care about. To mend the terrible wounds of their slaved and married hearts," I put my hand to my own heart and said the last like a quote from Shakespeare. "Please," I then rolled my eyes and tossed the paper back at the kid of whom I'd borrowed it.

"You don't like to read?" Evie quirked an eyebrow.

"Oh, no, I read." I said with raised eyebrows, gulping down more pumpkin juice. "I read lots."

"Uhuh," Evie smirked.

"Hey! I read lots of… stuff…" I spluttered. "At home. It's called the internet."

"The what?"

"See! You wouldn't understand," I sighed dramatically, like my usual tendency, and leaned back. "Logic way beyond the ability of Ned Bruenty, I must say."

"Bruency," Evie corrected. "And you're making stuff up."

"Am not,"

"So are,"

"AM NOT!"

"Ladies," A boy said from between us, causing both Evie and I to look up.

Sirius Black. There's only a few words that can describe that boy perfectly. Hot. Sexy. Always available.

He was Hogwarts' sex God. Everybody knew it and he acted like it gave him royalty. He was charming and very sweet at times, rarely rude to females and had a tendency to be obnoxious.

He had a sex appeal about him, that Johnny did not. I hated comparing the two, but sometimes, I could see why Sirius Black held all of Hogwarts in his perfectly sculptured hand.

Guys wanted to be him, girls wanted to be with him. It all worked out the same.

"You're smothering us, Black. Don't you know when it's time to stop staring," I smirked up at him and he laughed. I saw Evie's face turn close to the shade Amber's had just earlier. Poor child, had no flirting techniques at all. That would have to change. And soon.

"I've come for a peace offering," Sirius pushed between us, sitting and wrapping both arms around each of us girls' waist.

"Do tell," I grinned, aware that his fingers pressed slightly harder in some areas of my hips than others.

"Well," He smiled. "Lexi, I'm sure you're familiar with the room of requirements, yes?"

"Of course,"

"Party down there tonight. Midnight. Gryffindors only. Scandalous? I think so," He smirked and leaned over to my ear, "Oh, and that means Mr. Taylor is not invited." He pulled back and looked at my face straight-on, as if he might have hurt my feelings but was being totally sadistic over it. "Hope that's all right."

"Party at midnight, everything sounds perfect."

"It's a sort of," Sirius turned to look at Evie. "Welcome back sort of thing- I'm sorry, are you new here?"

She laughed and then realized he was serious. I poked her thigh under the table, quirking an eyebrow. I mouthed the words at her and I think she caught on. "Make it interesting,"

"Um…" She bit her lip. "Y-yes. Yeah. I'm… hi, I'm new." She waved awkwardly.

"New? Is that your name?" Sirius smiled the devil's smile. I thought she was going to break and then all hell would break loose. Maybe even literally.

"No, um, actually." She said.

"And may I ask what your name is, then?" He asked slyly. My mouth would have been watering if I'd been on the other side of this conversation, but instead I stared intently at Evie over his shoulder.

"You may," She said, glancing at me quickly and then back at him. I felt her gaining confidence by the minute. "But that doesn't mean I'm going to tell you."

I made a face of respect behind Sirius' back, nodding at Evie in approval. "Awesome!" I mouthed.

"Is this a game?" Sirius asked. "I like games."

"Oh it's whatever you want it to be baby," I couldn't help it. I jumped in and pushed his shoulder. "Now get out before I hurt you with more than words."

"Cruel woman," He smiled and pinched my arm before leaving and strutting down the hall, his robe casting out behind him.

Evie groaned and plonked her head on the table, forehead first, her eyes closed. "Hey now, that was awesome. I didn't know you had it in you! Uh- no offence." I snorted.

Evie shook her head, "Shoot me if I ever do that again. Really. And don't miss."

"You're a dork, Evie. Do you know who you just flirted with?" I exclaimed.

"Yes," She grumbled. "And no. I only know of him, I've- well, by his question of 'Are you knew here?'" she put on a funny voice that made me wrinkle my nose and grin. "Practically tells you I've never even been looked at by him."

"Cheer up, girl. Because guess what?"

"What?" Evie raised an eyebrow at me, her head still pressed against the wood of the table.

"You're invited to a party tonight! Do you know how great of a step that is for you?!"

"No. Measure it for me," She rolled her eyes. "Are parties even possible in Hogwarts?"

"Possible? Oh very," I smirked, slowing my words down a notch. "Allowed? Hell no. Which makes everything so much more worth-while."

-Evie-

Call me a girl, but I couldn't stop thinking about breakfast.

Not the food itself, but the stupid stunt I'd pulled in front of the vigorous Sirius Black. Loved by all, and laid by all too, probably.

I shuddered at the through, my quill scratching loudly in the silence that my Ancient History class had fallen deeply into. I saw the boy across the aisle from me look towards the sound I'd made and I blushed, trying to pretend it hadn't been me.

But of course that never worked. He smiled and went back to his own parchment. I recognized him as the boy I'd sat next to in the carriage on my way up to the castle on the first night. I hadn't been able to see him too well, but now, in the brightness of my classroom, I realized exactly who it was.

It was 'the boy'. The one whose name I'd never learnt those years ago and totally regretted it. I felt myself get nervous as I stole a few more glances at him.

On the third (or had it been forth? Fifth?) glance, he caught me and I blushed once more. I was doing that too often, I realized. Maybe I had some sort of skin problem? It trapped in heat and radiated it whenever possible.

I got so hyped up in my freak-out over my skin that I almost didn't realize that the bell for class-end had gone until people were jumping up around me.

I threw my things into my bag and collected myself, making my way to my next class. Defense Against the Dark Arts. I had this one with Maybelle and Alexis. I was already smiling and wasn't even out of the door yet.

Ever hate when you completely embarrass yourself without even having anything to do with it?

If I am the only one who ever experiences this, I'm not surprised. Somebody clearly hated me.

I was shoved in the back by somebody, causing my body to be propelled forwards into the air and right (almost over top) of a desk. I'm not talking pushed, tapped or nudged… I'm talking, I was literally grabbed by the shoulder and thrown towards the desk.

I groaned as my hipbone screamed itself into my ears, clanging about and falling back down again. "Pain…" I was muttering I realized, simply only because two people were staring at me.

One, was my teacher and two, was The Boy.

"I'm okay…" I wheezed, pushing myself up with wobbly arms that made me look like a total git. I bit my lip and shut my eyes tightly as my pelvic ached angrily when I tried to take a step.

"Are you-"

"Fine. I'm okay. This happens- ow- all the time," I grumbled, clutching at the desk for a moment, taking a breather and then attempting to walk forwards again. I wondered if this was the equivalent to being hit where-it-hurts-most for guys? Probably not. But damn, it sure as hell better be close.

"Let me help,"

"Nope. All good," I winced, refusing to let The Boy give me a hand. Not because I actually didn't want help, and not because he may have been unattractive to look at (which he was really not). But because I wanted to impress him really. I didn't want to come off weak.

"Seriously, let me-"

"No, really. I'm o-ookay, I'm going to sit down." I gasped, dropping my bag instantly and falling into a chair. My right hipbone hurt more than my left. Much more.

"My dear, who pushed you like that?" The teacher, Mrs. Feather (Cool name, huh? Too bad she got 'clucks' from really nasty students) asked with wide eyes.

"Don't know. Didn't see…" I muttered, grabbing my hip tightly and wishing the throbbing pain away. There would be a nasty bruise there if I didn't find a spell to rid it by tonight.

"Just as well," The Boy spoke and I found myself starting at him. "They'd probably find themselves under some kind of law restriction with a push like that. I've never seen someone throw a girl so hard."

"Used to it," I waved a hand like it was Pish-Posh. "You should've see what they used to do when the Qudditch was on." I was totally mortified. So mortified, that I didn't even bother instantly covering my face with my hand, propping my elbow on the desk. "Dear lord… forget I said that."

"What did they do to you?" The teacher asked worriedly.

"And who are 'they'?" Asked The Boy. I really needed to find out his name.

"People. Students in general," I shrugged, looking at the two and sighing. This was humiliating. I needed to leave for my D.A.D.A class. "I think I'm good to go now, thanks."

I got up and sure enough, my hips didn't cry and complain too much. They stung with the first few stairs I had to walk, but The Boy had followed quickly after me. I saw his hand twitch every time I wobbled. I couldn't help but smile.

"What class have you got now? Perhaps I should walk you." He said as we reached the bottom of the staircase.

"I have Defense," I slanged the class name and smiled. "But I'll be fine walking by myself. Promise."

"No need, me too. Professor Rayne, yes?" The Boy offered a hand, not for me to take, but towards his statement.

I nodded, "Yeah, actually. Cool so I guess we're hall-pass buddies now."

The Boy smiled and I could tell he didn't know what to say. I looked away from him, rolling my eyes at my behavior. Why did I have to act like such an idiot now? Out of all possible times. First the ink scratching, then trying to fly over desks and now calling him 'hall-pass buddy'?

What is wrong with you Evinda? I thought sourly.

"My name is Remus, by the way." The boy suddenly offered out of nowhere. I was so deep in thought, this had been unexpected.

"What?"

"Uh- my name."

"Oh, jeez, sorry." I put a fist to my forehead. "Right. Remus did you say? Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Evie."

He took my hand and shook it firmly. I took mine back quickly, afraid that if I lingered too long he'd freak out on me.

I suddenly heard Alexis' voice in my head. 'Relax, girl!' I nodded to myself. Now he's just going to think you're crazy. It was a constant mind-battle until we reached the door of our class.

"I hate walking in late…" I whispered, just as his hand reached for the door handle.

"Me too," He admitted with a small smile towards me before wrapping his fingers around the handle and pushing the door open.

I hadn't meant to, but I'd let him do all the explaining. Probably a better idea in the end though. Instead of telling the truth about me being a total klutz and admitting I ran into a table, he'd politely said that we'd been kept in by our previous teacher.

Professor Rayne didn't seem to mind too much. He was a kind, smiley person and so he just gave us nods and told us to take a seat.

There was a desk of two empty spaces near the middle of the room, and another with the rounded kid that was friends with Remus and Sirius with a vacant spot next to it.

I smiled at Remus (no longer The Boy) in thanks and made my way to the desk in the middle of the room. As expected, he chose the seat with his friend. Not that it had upset me or anything.

When I turned to glance, though, he was looking at me. For the umpteenth time today, my cheeks went up in hot flames. I saw Alexis looking blatantly at me with a questioning expression planted all over her face, Maybelle was totally out of it next to her. Thank god someone wasn't looking at me. It seemed everyone else was.

Even Sirius Black was smirking, the tip of his quill resting on his bottom lip, at me from far across the room. That'd be right, I sighed to myself, getting out new parchment and letting my school work devour me.

It was always the only thing that could tear my mind from my surroundings, and I was planning to keep it that way. Even if I was still slightly, almost fully, aware of the boy at the back of the room.

-

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