The girls had returned to their compartment just as the train began slowing down, the whistle howling faintly in the background. The boys quickly stuffed their candy into the pockets of their robes while the girls collected their belongings. The group led Ana out of the train and onto the platform, walking her past a clump of tiny first-years.
"Firs' years, o'er here!" bellowed a large man sporting an unruly beard, who Ana had to guess what about nine feet tall.
"This way Ana, the first years go by boat, but the rest of us take the carriages up." Lily told her, taking Ana's arm to lead the way. Ana was silent, her stomach jumping in anxiety. She felt so lucky to have found a group to be friends with, but the stress of a new school still loomed over her. She couldn't help but tap her foot nervously as they waited in line for a carriage, which, Ana noted, seemed to be pulled by the remains of horses.
Horses with wings. She thought curiously.
"What are those creatures pulling the carriages?" she asked, turning to James. His face paled slightly at the idea of the question.
"They're called Thestrals. Not everyone sees them though, only people who have watched others die." He told her gravely. Ana's stomach did another flip at the thought.
Well that's a depressing way to start the school year.
Lily and Emily climbed up into carriage full of Ravenclaw girls, but Lily had a second thought "Oh no! There's not enough room for Ana! Here switch with me; I'll go up with the boys. I'd hate for you to be stuck with those prats on your first day here."
"Well!" Sirius cried, "How rude! You, Lily, are not very well-mannered! We would be delighted to take care of Miss. Ana, and we even promise not to bite!" he told her, with large pleading puppy-dog eyes.
"Really, Lily," Ana told her, "It's ok, I can take them!"
"Well, ok" she faltered, but the carriage had already begun jostling along the dirt road. Lily sat back down, and struck up a conversation with the others.
"Well Ana, looks like you're stuck with us!" Sirius chuckled, slinging an arm over her shoulders.
Remus looked down at Ana, taking in her extremely short stature. She must have been only five feet tall, and had to crane her neck slightly just to look at the boys as she talked to them. A smile twitched at the corner of his lips as she laughed cutely at a joke James had told her, her loose red curls bobbing around her.
A carriage had pulled up to the by then, and as the boys climbed into it, Ana eyed the Thestrals warily, a small frown forming on her face.
That frown sent shivers down Remus' back; he was intent on making it disappear. He held his hand down to her to help her up into the carriage with the rest of them. Ana seemed to have forgotten the Thestrals at the sight of his hand, and gripping it, with a small smile, hoisted herself into the carriage.
Now, Ana had never been the most graceful girl, much to the dismay of the dance teachers at Beauxbatons. She was the type who managed to trip up the stairs and fall whilst standing still. So it came as no surprise to her, that when she tried to pull herself into the carriage, her foot managed to catch on the bottom rung, sending her spiraling down onto the bench, and landing almost completely on the lap of Remus.
"S...sorry!" she managed between small gasps for air, squirming off of him and into the seat between him and Sirius as the rest of the Marauders howled with laughter at the spectacle. Matching blushes heated up both Ana's and Remus' faces.
How many times can I blush today? Ana chastised herself, it's only the first day, and you've already embarrassed yourself on multiple occasions.
Remus must have been thinking the same thing, because he directed his attention to his hands in his lap. Sirius let out another long wolf-whistle.
"Only the first day, and you two are already canoodling!" He mocked, grinning broadly.
"Padfoot, leave the poor girl alone!" James scolding him, but he was also smiling at the pair, a mischievous gleam in his eye.
"Why do you guys have nicknames for each other?" Ana asked them.
"We are the reputable band of hooligans known as the Marauders. We like to use codenames on our little rampages across the school." James told her, his smile so wide, it was obvious he enjoyed the idea of being a hooligan.
"Oh god," Ana laughed, "What kind of rampages?"
"Oh you know the usual pranks. Dying people's hair"
"Enchanting things to follow people," Sirius continued.
"Slipping love potions into people's drinks,"
"Turning teachers into gorillas,"
"Setting off dungbombs in other common rooms." Remus added in softly.
"Remind me to never cross you four; I don't think I'd like the consequences!" Ana giggled.
"Don't worry love," Sirius purred, "We'll keep you safe. At least for a few months, we'll let you get used to the school before we start our attacks."
"Oh geez, thanks ever so much." She replied, sarcasm dripping off of every word, adding an eye roll for extra measure. "You should let me on your pranks; I was nearly kicked out of my school for some of my shenanigans." She dared them, a devilish smile playing on her face. Sirius looked at her in adoration.
"A girl who enjoys pranking? You, my dear, are the perfect lady." He purred at her, "We'll have to compare notes later."
"I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good." She told them, crossing her heart for further effect. Sirius and James barked at the phrase.
"I like it, you've got spunk love!" Sirius told her, slinging his arm around her shoulder.
Remus watched him, talking so easily to Ana, managing to get so close to her. He felt a little fire of jealousy rise in the pit of his stomach. He didn't know if there was a God, but if there was, please don't let Sirius sleep with her. Remus could feel the wolf inside him take form, trying to persuade him to take charge, steal her away into the night for himself. He was lucky that he had an entire week until the full moon, the wolf was still weak, and so he pushed him down into the deep dark pit that the wolf belongs in.
"My favorite prank was when I let an ostrich loose in the potions room…." Ana trailed off, she gazed off into the distance. As the trees began to part, the school was revealed, rising tall into the sky, the towers touched the stars. The windows were lit from inside, a soft buttery glow emanating into the night sky. She shivered at the sight of it, amazed at the beauty one building could have. Remus couldn't help but smile at the look on her face, the way her mouth hung slightly open in awe, her eyes wide to take in the scene.
The carriage came to a stop at the large entrance to the school. The boys marched Ana up the marble staircase, through the high arches in the hallway, and into the Great Hall. They led her to the Gryffindor table as she stared up at the enchanted ceiling, which reflected the starry night sky.
"Ana! You're alive!" Lily cried, tugging her down onto the bench next to her. "I hope those boys haven't ruined your innocence."
"Too late Evans," Sirius told her sweetly, "She's already quite the prankster!" The boys all took a seat at the table, Remus farthest from her, much to his dismay.
"Oh no," Lily groaned, "There's another one." She still gave a short smile and a wink towards Ana.
"Lily," James began, running his hand through his hair, smiling coolly, "I was wondering if you would like to go on a date to Hogsmeade with me this weekend?"
"Potter, don't even bother."
=()=()=()=()=()=()=()=()=()=()=
After the feast, which had every food imaginable to Ana, Lily and Emily led her up to the girls' dormitory. Ana was thankful to change into her soft pajamas, and crawl into bed. She snuggled deep beneath the covers, her stomach warm and full with food, the curtains shut around her, and couldn't help but to drift off to sleep. The last thought on her mind was a pair of amber eyes.
=()=()=()=()=()=()=()=()=()=()=
Across the Gryffindor common room, and in the boys' dormitory, the Marauders were far from being tired. The boys sat in their beds, moaning and rubbing their over-stuffed bellies. Sirius suddenly turned on his side, propping his head on his hand.
"Looks like Hogwarts has some fresh meat." He smirked. Remus sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"What do you have planned now, Padfoot?"
"Nothing, nothing. I just think it would be nice to give the new girl a warm welcome." his eyes glimmered devilishly, "Besides it'll be nice to have a break from chasing the same old girls."
Remus' stomach jumped and clenched inside of him. He didn't want another girl, Ana especially, to fall into the hands and dirty mind of Sirius Black.
Why can't just one girl be mine? He thought sadly. He almost immediately regretted the thought. After all, he just met her; for all Remus knew she could be an evil person, htough he doubted that. Even if she was a perfect girl, the chances of her liking someone mousy and bookish like him were slim. If she was attractive enough to have Sirius chasing her, then she must be out of Remus' league and most likely Sirius' as well.
"Just try not to scare her off, Pads" James sighed. He chanced a knowing glance toward Remus. Remus felt something catch in his throat, hoping that his crush wasn't that obvious, and turned his gaze down to his book.
There's no reason to want her if you can't have her, he thought glumly.