Chapter Two. Hogwarts
Sirius was already dressed in his Gryffindor robes, now with a smug smirk adorning his features. He had dark grey eyes, appearing almost black in the low light of the train corridor. He had long black hair, that came down to his chin. He was handsome, Gwen admitted, but maybe that was just because she had a headache and couldn't quite think straight.
"Russell, isn't it?" Sirius quirked an eyebrow.
Gwen's eyes narrowed and she raised an eyebrow in return, "Black, isn't it?"
Sirius's smirk widened, "Fancy going on a date with me to Hogsmade this weekend?"
Gwen gave him a confident grin, "Only in your dreams, Black," she moved passed him, "Now, if you'll excuse me. . ."
And Gwen was off down the hall, walking with her shoulders back and her head held high. Her satisfied smirk did not waver until she was well off down the hall. She was not much interested in guys like Sirius, as someone the year previous had broken her heart.
Sirius watched her leave with a tiny frown. Everyone said yes to him. Normally he tested the waters and snogged a few girls — never taking most of them on a real date, only one girl during the beginning of his fifth year. However, he liked Gwendolyn's confidence and her wit, and perhaps he had sounded too cocky when he was being honestly genuine about wanting to take her to Hogsmade. Sirius did not want to end up like James, pining over a girl he was never sure would like him back (even though James thought Lily was denying she loved him). He pondered the chase for a moment, hoping he could show her he was being genuine and headed back into the compartment with his friends, hoping they could lend a helping hand.
They were the Marauders, so of course they did.
Gwen returned to her own compartment not too long after she left. Her friends had followed her lead and changed into their robes themselves. Pari looked up in curiosity, and when Gwen met her gaze, she knew there was something she wanted to tell her. Yet, because she didn't open her mouth yet, Pari could only assume she wanted to tell her while they were alone.
"We've arrived!" Maria squealed, a massive grin stretched across her face. She looked elated; Maria loved Hogwarts — particularly Herbology, which she was a master at.
The four girls were all trying to ignore the fact that the world was becoming a much darker place. Muggle borns were being targeted and murdered, and a war was beginning. People were dying, and it left most students feeling gloomy.
While each of the girls were outstanding in Charms, Pari was also very keen with Potions and Transfiguration. Both Gwen and Elaine excelled in Defense Against the Dark Arts, however Gwen was particularly very good with Care for Magical Creatures and Divination, even when she did her best to avoid the latter.
Once they gathered outside, the First Years went on their way on the boats, while the rest of students went on the carriages. The four girls shared their own carriage, which was one of the last.
Once arriving, their luggage being taken to their dorms, they all gathered in the Great Hall for the Sorting and then to eat.
Gwen could see her youngest cousin (who was a year older) sitting over by the other Seventh Year Hufflepuffs, chatting idly. She hadn't talked to Eleanor since the beginning of the summer and Gwen silently vowed to herself to strike up a conversation eventually.
After eating a plate full of several different foods, Gwen found herself to be exhausted. Pari was happily talking to a nervous First Year, trying to ease her anxiety. Gwen eagerly told the new student how much Hogwarts had helped her grow as an individual and as a witch.
"If you need any help, don't be afraid to ask either of us." Gwen said with a gentle smile.
"Could you," the eleven-year-old looked away shyly, "help me find my classes tomorrow?"
"Of course. Meet us in the Gryffindor Common Room in the morning. We'll wait for you."
The young girl smiled in relief, "I'm Rhea Cho."
"Pari Delhi." Pari smiled warmly before sipping her pumpkin juice.
"Gwendolyn Russell, but you can call me Gwen. Everyone does."
Rhea looked relaxed and she nodded, "Nice to meet both of you. Thank you."
The rest of the night went without a hitch, the First Years being escorted to their dormitories. Gwen and Pari walked themselves to the Gryffindor Tower, talking in hushed voices.
Pari let out a low whistle, "You said no to Sirius? Awesome."
"Oh, hush." Gwen rolled her eyes. "He'll be moving onto someone else soon enough."
Pari pursed her lips, "Unlike Potter. Wonder if he's still crushing on Lily."
They shared a knowing glance before laughing to themselves.
It was not long until Gwen turned in for the night. Pari followed not long after, and then Elaine and Maria and their other roommates, Marlene McKinnon and Mary Macdonald.
Although Gwen was growing more and more tired as the night continued, she found herself completely restless. She was worried about her brother and what kind of trouble he was probably getting into. Ever since she had found that Dark Arts Manifesto in Gregory and Oliver's room while searching for a book Gregory borrowed, she knew he was in trouble. Her parents did not tolerate things like the Dark Arts and he had fessed up to being the one who had brought it into their home. Gwendolyn could still hear her parents yelling and Oliver screaming back.
She tossed and turned until she could bare it no longer. With a deep sigh, she got to her feet, grabbed a book and went down into the common room.
No one else was awake, but the fire crackled as if it was alive and talking. She took a blanket and sat at the edge of the fire and opened her book. It happened to be a muggle book she must have accidentally grabbed from Pari's collection. Yet, she read anyways, her mind wavering to the boy who had crushed her heart. Not by cheating, oh it had been worse. She saw him hanging around the wrong crowd, and that discussion led to her discovering how much he hated Muggles. That white-blond haired boy had called Pari a mudblood, which threw Gwendolyn into a rage. Their quarrel turned to hateful words and a screaming match, and if it had not been broken up when it did, everyone in that courtyard would swear it would have turned into a deadly duel.
When she actually began to read, it did not take long before she found herself getting drowsy and unable to keep her eyes open much longer. She decided to finally go to sleep and curled into her bed, Binx sleeping soundly next to her.
Her dream world was black, as usual. She tended to not have dreams unless it was connected to some sort of vision or future event.
Yet, she was too tired that night and was very thankful to not have any sort of vision that weighed her down the following morning.
When she woke, she felt more at ease. Not completely rested, but enough to last her through the day. She made her way to the showers to wash her hair and changed into her robes.
Rhea was waiting patiently in the common room, a nervous smile on her lips. She almost appeared to be shaking, her eyelids fluttering quickly, her hand tapping her thigh. She almost looked like she would pass out.
"Hey," Gwen called her attention quietly. "We're going to go to the Great Hall to have something to eat and then we'll take you to your classes, okay?"
Rhea nodded wordlessly, eyes flickering over to the stairs, watching Pari descend. Behind her was Maria, and Elaine arrived a few minutes after.
"One of us, probably Pari or I, will meet you outside of each of your classes so you won't get lost."
"Thank you," Rhea told Gwen quietly.
Gwen smiled at her and they left for the Great Hall, Rhea taking in all the sights of the castle. The Hall was steadily filling with people, and Gwen took her seat with her friends, Rhea sitting mutely beside her.
"Hey," Gwen called the attention of two First Year girls walking passed, who looked at her with wide eyes. "This is Rhea, mind if she ate with you?"
They glanced at Rhea and shook their heads. They smiled and Rhea stared at Gwen, eyes wide and questioning.
"It doesn't hurt to try to make friends," Gwen whispered to her as she got up to follow the two girls slightly farther down the table.
Pari grinned at Gwen. That was exactly how they met, an older year had suggested Pari sit with a few other First Years and bam! Pari and Gwen became best friends.
"Hey, Russell!" called a familiar voice from the doors of the Great Hall.
Gwen's head turned in the direction of the voice, eyes snapping to meet the culprit. It did not take her long to recognize the Gryffindor robes, black hair and wide smirk. Her eyebrows furrowed.
Sirius Black.
Maria almost screamed, holding her hand tight over mouth to keep any noise in. Elaine quickly glanced at Maria, then Sirius, then to Gwen, and then back to Sirius.
Everyone was watching them now, Gwen's eyes glued to Sirius as he marched his way towards her. James Potter was walking right next to him, the same smirk present.
"What do you want, Black?" Gwen asked him lowly, an eyebrow raised. What was with his sudden interest in her?
"Same thing as last time," he told her casually, with a sly smirk. His nerves, coupled with James next to him, he still appeared to be cocky. His dark eyes were watching her every move intently, trying to gauge a reaction.
Gwen stood from her empty plate and Pari followed her lead, staring at the two boys with a confident grin. The other two girls followed suit.
"So you'll get the same answer as last time," Gwen started passed him. "In your dreams, Black."
