Disclaimer; I dont own this amazing series of books, but Alison, Anna Lee, Rosie Hunter and James's uncle William are all my OC's.
Chapter Two;
James jumped off the train with an exaggerated sigh. Man, it was good to be back at Hogwarts. Whenever he was away from Hogwarts it was like a hole had been ripped inside his chest and that he'd slowly bleed to death.
Although he felt all that away from the magical castle, he didn't let it show, for Ali's sake at least.
Of course his Uncle William could see right through his fake mask. He'd try to make James feel better, but all he succeeded in doing when James was in one of his melancholy moods was becoming angry with himself, and later sad. James knew he shouldn't complain, he'd known his parents longer than Ali. She'd only been five when his parents had gone off their rockers, and henceforth she barely knew them.
She didn't remember that every Sunday morning their mother would make blueberry pancakes and would watch his father coach James on how to play Quidditch better. She didn't remember that every Christmas his mother would back the best biscuits ever and that she'd have to guard them like a hound so James and his father wouldn't get to them before they'd cool off.
He was shaken out of the memories as Rosie lightly slapped his shoulder, gesturing to Ali who was hurrying off to Hagrid and the awaiting first years.
"Aren't you going to say goodbye?!" James called, as he ran after his sister and picked her up, spinning her around like he had on the train platform.
Ali laughed and wiggled around, trying to get out of her big brother's arms before he potentially embarrassed her for the rest of her life.
Rosie finally took pity on the wiggling girl and stood in front of James, her arms crossed over her chest.
"James Potter, put down the girl and no one gets hurt." She drew a licorice wand from her pocket and held it out, pretending she was about to hex him.
James made a big show of putting Alison back on the floor and falling at Rosie's feet as he begged for his life to be safe.
Alison gave them both a mortified look as Rosie began boasting in an exceedingly loud voice about how she could be a knight, while James pretended to kiss her shoes.
"You two are so mean!" Ali said as she lightly punched James's shoulder, gave Rosie a quick hug then ran off to Hagrid's large form. "Bye! See you in the Great Hall!"
James winced as Alison tripped and face planted the ground but sighed in relief as a small boy bent down, checked if she was alright then helped her to her feet.
"BE CAREFUL! DON'T FALL OUT OF THE BOATS!" Rosie screamed after Alison and the boy.
Rosie waved foolishly before tugging James to his feet and handing him half of the licorice wand. He gave her a 'thank you' head nod as she took his arm and pushed through the large throng of students who were impatiently trying to force their way into a carriage.
After weaving through the students like a pro for a few minutes, they finally arrived at the awaiting carriage that the rest of the Marauder's were leaning against. Rosie and James gave them all small, tired smiles.
Sirius looked up from the map he was studying intensely as Rosie gently patted the head of the thestral set to pull their carriage. A small frown was settled on his face as he looked at her through narrowed eyes.
"Why aren't you taking a carriage up with Evans and the rest of your mates? You really shouldn't take the carriage with us. "
Rosie didn't give Sirius a second glance as she gave the thestral's nose one final pat before climbing into the carriage before Remus, who'd muttered a quick, "Ladies first." Before following her inside and sitting directly opposite her.
James slid in beside her and after him followed Sirius and Peter.
The carriages were only built for four people and the fact that there were five people occupying this carriage was definitely proving that when a carriage was made for four people, there was no bloody way five people could fit without a bit of discomfort.
"OK, I have to sit on somebody's lap." Rosie declared as she tried to shove James over as he was currently crushing her against the window. Her words were slightly muffled as all the boys adjusted how they were sitting, and her face was pushed back up against the glass.
After a few more minutes of uncomfortable adjustments and Rosie being shoved against the window a few more times, Sirius finally took pity on her and gently tugged her onto his lap, where she crossed her arms over her chest and lightly rubbed the red mark that was starting to form on her pale cheek.
"This," Rosie grumbled. "Is why I never take the carriage with you four." A small smirk formed on Sirius's face as he looked at the girl on his lap.
"Well, I did ask why you weren't taking the carriage with Evans. I did also warn you not to take the carriage with us! See why you should listen to me, Hunter?' Rosie gave him a quick glare while she pushed her dark auburn hair out of her eyes. Her eyes could never really decide what color they were, they were constantly changing between blue and green.
"I was not going to listen to Lily complain about how much of a git James is. I had to listen to her while I was in the compartment for the last two minutes, and Merlin, that was enough for me."
She rolled her eyes and laughed, meeting James's eyes briefly before he looked out the window. Sirius laughed and tapped the slightly smudged glass.
"Hey look Rosie, a window stole a snog."
All five of the seventh years broke into a long fit of laughter that didn't end until they were finally at their much awaited destination.
Once they walked into the Great Hall, Rosie took her usual spot between the Marauders and her usual friends, glancing down at the empty plate in front of her with hungry longing.
James noticed Lily kept glancing at the big red mark on Rosie's cheek every few moments and he bit his lip with worry. He hadn't meant to shove her against the window; she was the smallest and by right should have been sitting right next to the door. He didn't know why he didn't think of that before all of them had tried to cram themselves into the carriage, but if he had, Rosie wouldn't currently have that mark on her face, he was sure of it.
He caught Sirius's eye and knew he felt exactly the same way. James was about to ask Rosie is she was okay when Professor McGonagall called up the little first years.
Every student from second year to seventh had their eyes trained on the first years, watching their every move.
Each house had their own reason of doing this, James thought,
Slytherins watched to see who'd they have the honor of bullying over the next few years. They also paid particular attention to the names of the students in case there was a muggleborn in their midst.
James really didn't understand why they hated Muggleborns so much. Rosie and Lily were Muggleborn, and they were two of the smartest girls he'd ever met.
Ravenclaw looked to see who would grow up to be smarter than them.
Hufflepuff looked out of pure curiosity, it was a known fact that they were extremely big gossips.
And the Gryffindors, you ask? James still hadn't figured that one out yet, after seven years of attending Hogwarts. He guessed it was because it was so much easier to judge the other houses rather than his own.
A flash of brown-red hair caught James's attention, and he watched as Alison fidgeted nervously. He couldn't blame her for being nervous, as he'd been just as bad during his sorting.
As James gave her an encouraging smile, he couldn't help but remember the talk he'd had with her the night before.
Alison hadn't been able to sleep and had come to James's room in the middle of the night, her usually smooth, pretty hair was rumpled and messy and she had a dressing grown around her. Accompanying her was a photo album and her teddy bear, both tucked under an arm.
James had sleepily let her in and listened to her concerns while they flicked through the family photo albums.
His mother had been in Ravenclaw and his father, Gryffindor; and Alison was worried that she wouldn't get in either of the houses.
James had gently stroked her hair while he comforted her. Eventually they both fell asleep, Alison feeling relieved and much better and James feeling bloody exhausted. He didn't mind it though, it was the least he could do for his little sister.
The sharp kick Sirius had sent his way told him that he'd missed all the sortings up to Ali, who was currently sitting on the stool. She was nervously gnawing on her lip as the hat was put on her head and covered her big eyes.
James wasn't aware he'd been holding his breath till he heard the hat shout, "GRYFFINDOR!"
Alison let out a happy laugh and came and sat between James and Rosie. Sirius ruffled the little girls' hair from across the table before returning his attention to the proceedings.
James caught Lily staring at him and he felt his stomach do a flip as he gave Ali a quick one armed hug, trying to forget how just by looking at him, Lily was making his mind whirl and his breath catch.
The sortings proceeded effortlessly, and just before the feast was about to appear, Dumbledore had Lily and James stand up, introducing the whole of Hogwarts to their new Head Boy and Girl. James beamed and waved easily and Lily smiled politely before sitting back down, leaving James standing there all by himself. He'd know since second year that Lily Evans did not like the spotlight, but that was uncalled for. He'd been in a momentary daze and hadn't sat as Lily had and he would have looked like an extreme git if he hadn't shouted effortlessly.
"LET'S ALL HAVE A GOOD YEAR, YOU HEAR ME?" He'd shouted to cover his momentary embarrassment.
As he sat down, he suppressed a grin, more than half of the students whooping and cheering as the food finally made its long awaited appearance. James caught Sirius's eye as his best mate was watching Rosie cheer the loudest, before grinning crookedly at all the Marauders and her friends and digging into her food.
James briefly caught Lily's eye, but she looked away. He shrugged it off as he spooned a good portion of food onto his plate.
******* Author Note******
Okay guys, I'm sorry that wasn't the best chapter but now that the sorting and the first night is out of the way I'll promise it'll be tons better!
Songs;
Ring the Alarm~ Beyonce
When You're Gone~ Avril Lavigne
Love that Let's Go~ Hannah Montana ft Billy Ray (Don't Judge!)
Been Here All Along~ Hannah Montana