Against All Odds (A Marauder's Story) –2 A New Family
As the carriages came to a halt I stepped out to see an astonishingly large castle standing majestically at the peak of a hill. A seemingly-painted starry sky filled the background. I was impressed as the night's clear sky enhanced the magic in the air.
We all headed up the steps to the castle and were greeted by a stern woman wrapping herself in her velvet black cloak. Her hair was pulled back tightly making her look even more prudish. She waved for me to come to her.
"We'll see you later, okay," said Lily and Emma as they continued along with the crowd. I felt dread wash over me.
"You must be our new transfer student, correct? The other transfers will be here after the weekend," the prudish teacher announced to me once I reached her. "My name is Professor McGonagall. You will be sorted into your house before the first years. Follow me now."
I looked back at Remus who gave an encouraging smile and waved good-bye. I followed the professor without a word, looking around in amazement at the beauty and the age of the castle as I did so. We entered into a large room filled to the brim with frightened eleven-year-olds; I couldn't help but think how easily I could get lost. The Professor told us all to wait until she called for us.
Outside the huge double doors I could hear the muffled sounds of all the students in the great hall, talking and restlessly waiting for the feast. My heart began to pound as my mind ran over all the information about the different houses. The Slytherin house worried me the most. It felt as if a part of me knew I belonged there. I was no angel. What if I got in? I'd be safe but I didn't want anyone to know. Why were things so black and white?
I thought about what Remus said right before he left, "Don't worry, it all be over and done with in no time. And like Lily and Emma said earlier, the houses are like families so it shouldn't be too bad no matter what house you get into."
I stared up to the wood framed wall and closed my eyes and wondered why he made me feel so calm.
The Professor soon led us into the hall that looked incredible with the different house flags and colors forcing the eyes to wander all throughout the hall. The ceiling was missing but it was replaced by the night sky that showed the heavens above. The floating candles released a strange scent that calmed my soul. In the very front next to the Professor's long table stood a three-legged stool and on top was a very weathered pointed hat.
I watched as Dumbledore stood up and made a speech. His words seemed to float over my head as my mind wandered. I could hear him talk about the new transfer students and not much else.
My thoughts were chased away as I heard Professor McGonagall say my name. I started walking forward. I looked toward the Gryffindor table and saw Remus smiling and mouthing, "It will be fine." I wasn't used to this, it was not me. My mind was filled with doubt. Would I ever really change? When I sat down the hat was placed on top of my head. Although it covered my eyes, I could still feel the stares of hundreds of students in the hall. Panic welled within me.
I jumped slightly when the hat began to talk inside my head.
"Hmmm . . . yes Hogwarts would be very glad to accept a student like you. Great you will be. Even if you try to hide your powers you still will be great. You doubt me child? But what to do with you, you still need some growing up, lots perhaps? You posses valued characteristics of all the houses. However . . . there is something else inside. You fear, yet you are incredibly brave. You were betrayed, yet you are indeed loyal. You have made some very half-witted choices, yet you posses intelligence that could rival any Ravenclaw. You couldn't find the answer, and yet in danger you show great cleverness. You have often laid back and did things slowly and yet you are a hard worker. Full of contradictions, perhaps Hogwarts can change that. Very stubborn I see. Yet you feel alone and unsure of yourself. You always have.
Ravenclaw I'll knock off the list. Yes, you can be so dumb sometimes. You can be a little too mean for Hufflepuff. Let …me… see, shall it be Slytherin or Gryffindor? Color you say? Yes, I agree nothing is so black and white as some may say, think and preach. Yes and so ambitious you are. Not sure what you want and you don't care now? Alright, then it better be GRYFFINDOR!"
Just as the last word was yelled out from the hat, the Gryffindor table let out a loud cheer that made my heart jump. I felt a great relief and happiness at the warm welcome. I then saw Lily stand out from the table and I couldn't help but run to her as I started to blush. We both were laughing in relief as she gave me a hug.
"I thought you going into a different house there for a second." said Lily as everyone around me were patting my back and saying they were glad to have me in their house. I looked through the crowd around me to see Remus smiling when I suddenly heard someone behind me.
"I knew you would be put into Gryffindor," Someone said in a deep smooth voice close to my ear.
I quickly spun around to see the two boys I had been avoiding earlier and a small chunky kid right behind them.
"No doubt at all," he said again this time with a friendlier tone. "My name's Sirius Black. The one with the demented hair is James Potter." He said in an offbeat manner. James seemed not like the remark as Sirius continued. "And tubby behind me is Peter Pettigrew."
"Oh, It's nice to see you again," I said as I twirled my necklace through my fingers nervously. I sat next to Lily and Remus as the others sat on the opposite side. I then watched as all the first years were sorted into their houses. I couldn't help but notice that James was constantly glancing back at Lily who looked very annoyed by this. Once the sorting was over Dumbledore made another speech that included that the forbidden forest was well . . . forbidden. Afterward all the tables were filled with food. The aroma itself could bring immense hunger to anyone who would dare to take a sniff.
"I think you're going to be in the same room as me," said Lily as she filled her plate. "The last girl left last year. She was muggle born and didn't really feel like she needed to learn witchcraft. I'm muggle born too, but I love it here. But I think there may have been more to the story if you ask me. How about you?"
I began eating not really wanting to answer that kind of question. Not to mention, I felt a little uncomfortable about it. "Well I guess you can say I'm mixed, but I really don't think that type of stuff really matters. It's really overrated being pureblood if you ask me. It's not as if there is any actual difference in ability."
Sirius and James then looked up and seemed very pleased by my answer. "I completely agree with you it IS overrated." said Sirius, who seemed dead serious about the subject.
"Yeah," said James in a much lighter tone, "Lily's muggle born and she's probably the best witch here." He said with a very flirty smile. Lily blushed a little at his response.
We then all began to talk about just about everything under the stars, and getting along well I might add. We somehow got onto the subject of quidditch that James and Sirius seemed to be absolutely obsessed with.
"Yeah, I've been dying to play again. We both started on the team in our second year." said James, rather proud of himself.
"We are so much better than the last players. I mean I don't know what this house would do without us." said Sirius, dramatically waving his arms in the air. He accidentally smacked Peter in the head. At least I think it was an accident.
"What positions are you guys?" I questioned, leaning forward.
"Don't encourage them Sam, trust me you'll end up regretting it." said Lily, in a lowered hissing tone.
"Oh come on. She's actually listening to US, and she asked a question. We're being nice to her. What, can't we make friends with a girl who isn't uptight?" said Sirius, once again dramatically raising his eye brows as high as he possibly could.
"Fine. Fine, forget I said anything!" Lily hissed again.
I then turned to Remus who was sitting next to me. "What's up with all this be nice to me stuff?"
"Well . . ." he said as he just finished his plate. "Like I said back on the train, they are trouble makers." He added with a smile. Both James and Sirius beamed with pride when he said this. "Oh, and you might want to be a tad late to Charms class, just saying. And if any food looks off or out of place, don't eat it."
"Ignore him; but yes Sammie, it's true." Said Sirius very proudly putting his hand over his chest with his head slightly bowed.
"We're the funniest wizards you'll ever know." James announced as he stood up from his empty plate and bowed more deeply. Everyone began to laugh when he did this. Then Dumbledore announced that the banquet was over and wished everyone a happy school year. "Well then…to the common room." said James as he pointed his finger to the door and made a salute to us and clicked his heels in a slick military manner. Just as he did this Sirius, Remus and Peter jumped up did the same and together said, "To the common room."
I felt myself smile and wandered if ever I had smiled and laughed this much in one day. While we all headed to the common room they started joking around and to their (and mine) surprise and amusement I ended joining in and made them laugh.
Once we all reached the common room we stood on the high step between the picture of the fat lady in pink and said, "Life here forth shall never be the same." I very dramatically put the back of my hand on my forehead and leant back slightly like a damsel in distress. I then stumbled back slightly, "Hey! YOU were supposed to catch me!" I pointed to Remus who was behind me.
He looked around wildly then pointed to himself, "Who the hell said I was prince charming?"
Everyone around me, even people who I didn't know, began to laugh. I couldn't remember ever acting like this. Like a fool, like I was...happy. Each time I had acted in any way improper I was punished and looked down on.
I felt free for the first time. I could act the way I wanted and I knew that they wouldn't look down on me for it. I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time . . . joy. They could be my new family . . . Remus, Lily, James, Peter and Sirius. I could just feel it.
A/N: Remember to send lots of love and good vibes out to DarkGarnetRose for pointing out to break up all those overly long paragraphs. I didn't realize how murderous that was on the eyes. A thousand apologies to all you readers!
