Author's note: Hope you liked the first chapter! I'm new to the site, so if you see any mistakes I've made as far as categories and whatnot, please let me know. I'm a stickler for spelling and grammar, so please point out anything I may have overlooked. Save sparing my feelings, I'd like honest opinions on my writing style. Not rude, just honest.
As you already know, this takes place during Sirius Black's seventh year at Hogwarts. I'm trying to stay as true to the original characters as possible, so if there are fluctuations, oops! It'll be a challenge, since there's only a few references to how these characters were at this time. Aliyah is a created character, and I don't have her all figured out, yet. Gonna let her develop as I go along. Should be fun! I made her American because I can relate to her better that way, and it will be hard enough adapting to this character coming from the Muggle world at that time. Records and audio tapes, am I right?! There will sexual content at some point(s), as well.
Sorry for the bubbly oOo's that separate the segments, but every other method I've tried, including simple dashes, isn't working. So if anyone could tell me how to take care of that… you'll get a long-distance high-five. Otherwise, enjoy the bubblies!
oOoOo
Sirius turned in his seat along with every student in the hall at the sound of footsteps by the door. Whatever he was expecting to see, it wasn't this. There was no indication that she was a Muggle, camouflaged as she was in Hogwarts robes. The black fabric flowed behind her as she walked with purpose, head held high, towards the top of the Great Hall where Professor McGonagall waited with the stool and Sorting Hat. Her blonde hair trailed low down her back, framing the sharp, fair features of her face. Sirius couldn't help the frown that crossed his face as he watched her proud stature pass by. As far as Dumbledore's ideas went, this had to be one of the worst ones.
Aliyah felt her body try to betray her as she walked, her legs wanting to falter under the weight of so many stairs, but she willed herself to walk straight and walk tall. Her eyes wanted to scan the entire room, but she resisted, knowing she would be likely to stop dead in her tracks if she allowed herself the luxury. There was light everywhere, drenching the hall, coming from what looked like floating candlesticks—no, she couldn't look. After what felt like an eternity of walking, she arrived in front of Professor McGonagall, who smiled kindly at her over the scroll of parchment she held in her hands.
"White, Aliyah," the professor read out before rolling the parchment and gesturing to the stool.
Aliyah turned, facing the hall, and perched herself on the stool. Her stomach clenched as the full force of the students' attention hit her once more, but she managed to keep her face pleasantly neutral. She felt the Sorting Hat lowered onto her head, the brim resting low over her eyes. After a short moment, she heard a voice in her ear, and though she had known it would come, she couldn't stop herself from jumping slightly.
"Ah, the Muggle," the voice said thoughtfully. "I've been looking forward to this. Let us see. You're quite cunning when you need to be. You've a fairly sharp mind and plenty of wit. You've seen hard work in your life, and you treasure loyalty. But your bravery… Your being here speaks volumes, and so you can only belong to one House. Gryffindor!"
Aliyah blinked, not expecting the last word to be shouted out loud. As McGonagall lifted the hat from her head, the table to her far left exploded into cheers and applause, some of its occupants even standing as they did so, with pointed stares at the table on the opposite end of the hall. She looked up at the professor, who nodded and gestured toward the cheering table, and she stood from the stool, making her way past another table of politely applauding students.
A girl with bright red hair rose from the Gryffindor table and held her hand out to Aliyah as she approached.
"I'm Lily Evans," she said warmly. "Welcome to Hogwarts."
"Thanks," Aliyah said with a smile, shaking her hand before taking a seat between her and another boy their age with a mop of black, curly hair and a friendly smile.
"Mitch Ringwald," the boy said with a nod and a wink.
"Nice to meet you, Mitch."
"Mitch is a Prefect," Lily explained. "So am I, as well as Crystal O'Connor, and Remus Lupin."
Aliyah shook hands with a pretty strawberry-blonde girl, then with the boy with shadows under his eyes.
"American?" Remus inquired curiously as they released hands.
"Is it obvious?" Aliyah asked with a laugh.
"In a good way," Lily said with a charming smile, and Aliyah could already feel that she would like the girl.
Dumbledore stood and spread his arms.
"Welcome, students, new and old," he said loudly. "And now for the magic words before the feast. Bibbity. Bobbity. Boo."
Aliyah laughed and Dumbledore caught her eye with a wink before taking his seat. She turned around and let out a gasp when she saw that the golden platters were now filled with endless amounts of food.
"That was my reaction the first time I saw it, too," Remus said with a grin as he speared a slab of meat with his fork and pulled it onto his plate.
Aliyah only recognized a few of the dishes, so she consequently took helpings of everything in within reach. Lily and Remus laughed as they watched her.
"There's more courses after this, you know," Lily told her with amusement. "Trust me, you'll want to save room."
Aliyah laughed and replied, "More courses? There's no way all this food gets eaten. Where does it all go?"
"Not sure, actually," the redhead replied with a thoughtful frown. "I know it goes from here back to the kitchen, but after that, I have no idea. I suppose the house elves do something with it."
"What's a house elf?" Aliyah asked curiously.
As the course disappeared from the tables and was replaced with the next one, it seemed Aliyah couldn't ask enough questions. Each answer brought more, and her tablemates answered each one, taking turns as they ate. Further down the table, Sirius and his companions gorged themselves as well, discussing the turn of events.
"A Muggle," James said for the fourth time, the level of astonishment in his voice the same as the first time he'd said it. "A real Muggle, here at Hogwarts."
Sirius grunted, as he had the past three times James had made the exclamation.
"Pass the marmalade," he said around the food in his mouth.
"Come on," James said, handing him the small dish. "You don't have an opinion about this? I mean… it's a Muggle at Hogwarts!"
Sirius maintained a stubborn silence, spreading the marmalade over his slice of freshly baked bread.
"Well, what do you think, Prongs?" Peter asked James curiously as he nibbled at his food.
"What do you mean, what do I think? I've been the only one talking about it, haven't I?"
"Well, yeah," Peter said with a shrug, "but all you've really said is 'wow, a Muggle at Hogwarts'."
"Well, that about sums it up, doesn't it?" James asked as though it should be obvious.
Sirius snorted before looking up at James.
"He's right, Prongs. You haven't said what you really think about it."
James stared thoughtfully up at the ceiling for along moment as the food disappeared and the dessert course took its place.
"I think it's a good thing," he said at last. "I mean, anything that makes the Slytherins look like that—"
He pointed to the Slytherin table where almost all of its occupants were either sitting in stony silence or casting dark glances at Dumbledore and the back of the Muggle's head.
"—is good enough for me to get on board with."
"Cheers to that," Sirius said with a grin as he took a swig of his pumpkin juice.
As the dessert course drew to a close, the food faded, leaving behind spotless gold platters. An almost tangible haze seemed to settle over the hall as warmth, full bellies, and the lateness of the evening took their toll on each individual. Dumbledore stood and began to speak, welcoming the new students and reminding everyone to heed the words he'd already expressed to them. Aliyah had a feeling the words had to do with herself. He began to list the school's announcements for the year, some things which she understood and some things she completely did not. She let her gaze wander a bit as she listened. There were, indeed, floating candlesticks over all the tables, what looked like hundreds or more. Through them, she could see the rafters that… seemed to stretch over the sky? She could see the stars and the shining moon perfectly. She wondered if it was glass, and if it would withstand a good storm or some hail.
"It's enchanted to reflect the sky outside," Lily whispered in her ear, having followed Aliyah's stare.
"You mean that's the ceiling?" Aliyah whispered back in amazement.
"Yes, that's the ceiling," Lily responded with a quiet chuckle.
She stared at it for a long moment before wrenching her eyes away and forcing herself to focus on Dumbledore.
"And now, for our school's noble anthem!"
He waved his wand, and large, golden words appeared in the air over his head. Most of the school's students and professors launched into song, but Aliyah couldn't tell one tune from another. It seemed everyone was singing the words however they liked, creating a chaotically entertaining medley. When the last notes were done, the words faded and Dumbledore beamed around at them all.
"Well done, as always," he said genuinely, causing Aliyah to clap a hand over her mouth to smother the laughter bubbling up in her mouth. "And now, off to your dorms! Good night!"
There were loud scrapings as the benches were pushed back, students standing and chattering loudly as they began to flood out of the hall. Aliyah hesitated, unsure of where to go, when she noticed McGonagall making a beeline for her. The Gryffindor Prefects waited as she approached.
"Miss White, you'll be staying in Gryffindor tower," she informed her before turning to the Prefects. "I'll trust you all to make yourselves available should Miss White need assistance. And as much as it pains me to say this, I don't think it would hurt to have you taking special care to make sure no harm comes to her or yourselves. Miss Evans, perhaps you could remain in Miss White's company. Escort her around the school, the grounds, help her familiarize herself with the school and such."
"Yes, Professor McGonagall," Lily responded with a bright smile. "We'll get along famously."
Aliyah returned her smile and they bade McGonagall a good night before following the other students out of the Great Hall. The Prefects Mitch and Crystal walked ahead a bit, talking to each other about their summer holidays, while Remus and Lily walked with Aliyah.
"So," she said without preamble, "you two are sort of like my babysitters now, huh?"
Remus ducked his head while Lily looked at her fretfully.
"Oh, please don't think of it as that," she said earnestly. "It's just that some of the students are quite upset that you're here, and we don't… want you to…."
She trailed off as she noticed Aliyah's widening grin, and she shoved the Muggle's shoulder playfully.
"You're teasing!" she accused as Remus chuckled with some relief.
"It's fine," Aliyah said as they began to climb the stairs in the Entrance Hall. "If I'm going to have babysitters, at least I know I'll like them."
"I think we'll get along just fine," Remus said with a smile. "In fact, I think you'll particularly enjoy the company of two of our friends. You seem to share their sense of humor..."
"I'm not sure if that's a good thing, the way you said it," Aliyah replied, patting his shoulder sympathetically.
"It's refreshing to see it from a girl, for once," Lily chimed. "Most of the time, I'm spending my hours with all boys."
Aliyah started to reply, but stopped when she heard loud splashes further up the staircase. She looked up to see a cauldron flying through the air, upending its slimy contents onto the heads of the students ahead of them. The cauldron then fell to the ground and another came whizzing from a nearby corridor, mirroring the previous cauldron's attack.
"PEEVES!" they heard Professor McGonagall bellow from below as she hastily made her way up the stone steps.
"Oh, no," Lily said, looking up as the second cauldron finished emptying what looked like frog eggs over a small group of first years not ten feet from them.
Overhead, a small man faded into sight, floating upside-down with a maniacal grin as he waved his finger and another cauldron whipped around the corner toward the students.
"Come on," Remus said quickly, grabbing Aliyah's arm and leading her off the stairs and down a side corridor, pulling aside a hanging tapestry and holding it while she and Lily ducked behind it before he followed them.
Aliyah stared at them with wide eyes.
"Was that a ghost?!"
"A poltergeist," Lily corrected, looking annoyed. "And a bloody awful one, at that. That was a good save, Remus. I don't know what he would've done if he'd noticed her."
"Why?" Aliyah asked as she followed them through the narrow walkway. "What would he have done?"
"Put it this way," Remus explained as he pushed at what looked like a dead end until it opened. "Peeves is notorious for… 'greeting' new students every year. What you just saw was one of the milder things he's done."
He poked his head out into the corridor beyond and, seeing no one, held open the faux wall as they climbed out. He closed it behind them, and Aliyah could see it was actually a large pedestal that seemed to move as lightly as air.
"I don't know what he would've done if he saw you, the new Muggle," Remus continued as he led the way along the hallway. "But it wouldn't have been pretty. You won't be able to avoid him all year… but he's a bit much to swallow on your first night here."
"Floating candlesticks, talking hats, and poltergeists… oh, my," Aliyah commented dryly, shaking her head. "Is there any part of this place that's normal? For Muggles, I mean."
"Well, the people are pretty normal," Lily replied. "I came from the Muggle world, too. Besides some of the more exuberant characters, there's not much difference. You'll see. We'll introduce you to James, Sirius, and Peter. I'm sure they'll be a fresh breath of normal for you."
"If you consider two boys who love doing absolutely anything they can to get into as much trouble as they can without getting punished for it and a third boy who follows their every move normal…" Remus muttered, starting up another staircase.
"Sounds like home to me," Aliyah said brightly.
oOoOo
Sirius lounged in front of the fire in the Common Room of the Gryffindor tower. He leaned back into the soft cushions of the sofa, his legs kicked out carelessly and his arms crossed over his chest. His head drooped back, his raven hair spilling down the back of the couch. His eyes drifted closed as he listened to the banter between James and Peter as they played wizard's chess on the floor in front of the couch.
"No, you idiot, I told you, the knight can only move one up and two over, or two up and one over," he heard James huff impatiently. "You can't go diagonal!"
"C'mon, Prongs," Peter said plaintively. "Don't call me an idiot! I told you, I never played before, I only watched."
"How you've lived all your life and never played wizard's chess, I'll never know," James grumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I'm not doing that bad," Peter said eagerly. "Look, I can take your queen with my rook!"
"The rook doesn't move diagonally, Wormtail."
"Oh, yeah…"
"Alright, that's it," Sirius mumbled, raising his hands to rub them over his face. "I'm going to bed. I don't think I can keep listening to this."
Peter looked up at him curiously.
"Don't you want to meet the Muggle?"
"I saw her at the feast," Sirius grunted, arching his back as he stretched.
"Yeah, but you didn't meet her," Peter objected.
"What's it to you?" he asked grumpily. "I don't need to meet her. I need sleep."
"Yeah, 'cause you never get that," James muttered.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing," his friend said with false cheer. "Just that you sleep more than any grandpa I know."
Sirius grabbed one of the decorative throw pillows next to him and hurled it at James.
"Watch it!" James said quickly as the pillow bounced and scattered the chess pieces, which then promptly got up and began to skitter under the couch for cover.
Sirius smirked as James sighed scooped the pieces he could reach in time back into their box.
"So, you really don't want to meet the Muggle, then?" his friend asked, looking up at Sirius.
"I really don't care to," Sirius replied.
"Why not?" Peter asked from beneath the couch as he wriggled back and forth, trying to collect the fleeing chess pieces.
"Why would I?" he snapped irritably. "She's just a Muggle. Not much interesting going on there."
"You still haven't said what you thought about her being here," James pushed, leaning back against the front of a plush sofa.
"What's it matter what I think?" he asked with exasperation.
"I'm just asking, mate. You're the one that's dodging the question…"
oOoOo
Aliyah paused, wondering why Remus and Lily were stopping in front of a large painting of a heavyset woman in a dress. She was about to ask when the painting moved, the woman turning her head toward them.
"Password?" she asked regally.
"Flibberty gibbet," Remus said without missing a beat.
The painting swung forward, revealing the hole that led into the Gryffindor tower. Aliyah stared.
"That painting moved," she stated, pointing openly at the frame.
"Apparently, I'm the only one that can!" the fat lady snapped. "I can't stay open all night, you know!"
Smiling, Lily and Remus ushered her through, apologizing to the grumbling portrait as it swung shut behind them.
"It moved AND talked," Aliyah said blankly.
"Most of them do," Remus explained. He gave her a long, slightly worried look. "Bit too much, right now?"
Aliyah looked up at him and the blank expression melted into a grin.
"I love this place," she said fervently. "What else can you show me?"
Lily and Remus laughed.
"There will be plenty for you to see tomorrow," Lily assured her. "There's classes in the morning, so we shouldn't stay up too late. But come here, you can meet our friends…"
She took Aliyah's hand and guided her through the crowded Common Room. Aliyah smiled and nodded to people as they passed, as fascinated with the staring students as they were with her. Lily was guiding her to the large fireplace where a roaring fire was crackling merrily. A couch and two armchairs surrounded it at a comfortable distance. Two students sat on the floor, one leaning against an armchair, dangling something in his fingers, and the other wiggling underneath the couch apparently chasing something. Aliyah looked down and thought she saw a tiny stone figure gallop by on its horse. As they came up behind the couch, they could hear the messy-haired boy arguing with a third student sitting on the couch, his head leaning back and his eyes closed in weary irritation. Neither of them had noticed the slight hush in the room as the other students watched Aliyah curiously.
"Just spit it out," James was saying, watching the tiny bishop squirm in his hand as he dangled it over the chess pieces box. "What do you think about the Muggle being here?"
The long-haired student let out a heavy sigh.
"I think it's a stupid idea, Prongs," he snapped, throwing his hands up in surrender before letting them fall to his sides on the couch. "I don't think any Muggle should be here, let alone a girl. I think Dumbledore's daft for even considering it, and I think he should send her on the first train home."
His statement was met by silence. He peeked open an eye and looked down to see James looking over his head with a familiar expression. The kind he wore when he got caught doing something. A shadow passed over him and he tilted his head back up to see a girl's face leaning over him from behind the couch.
"Well, tell me how you really feel."