A/N: Hey everyone! Welcome to Chapter 2. Any comments/ criticism would be amazing. If you have any questions please ask! I don't bite… unless you want me to. Right, now, onto the story! From now on, each chapter will be in someone's POV. It won't always be the same persons, however.

Confessions of a Sixth Year Gryffindor

Chapter 2: Of Surprises and Aurors

Jessica's POV

The train ride seemed to last days. I really just wanted to get back to Hogwarts so I can eat my first decent meal in three months and curl up in my own bed with a big blanket. I didn't want to sit on a train for six hours as we went through forests and over bridges. Sure, the first years were excited. I was excited when I was a first year. But that was six years ago. It's getting pretty old now.

We pulled up to the station in Hogsmeade. Lily, Mercy, and I quickly got onto our own carriage and closed the doors so no one could join us. It was nice to be with just my friends and not worry about those Marauders following us around. I didn't mind them all that much, but Lily and Mercy had a problem with them. James was like my brother. I guess that is what I get for living next door to him for sixteen years. He sort of… grew on me.

Sirius is one of my best friends and my partner on the Quidditch field. When we are alone, he really is one of the nicest, smartest, and funniest people I know. His cocky exterior is what will kill him one day. Either that or his family. That kid has been through a lot. Still, 99 of the girls in Hogwarts love him.

I didn't know Remus or Peter that well, but Remus has a bit of a reputation at Hogwarts, just like his best friends. He seems to refuse to grow close to girls. He also always seems to be sick. I think sickness runs in his family, though, because he always goes home to see his mum when she gets sick. Peter is just bloody annoying. I don't understand why he is even around.

The three of us went into the Great Hall and sat down with Alice Morningstar, a girl in our year. She has had this boyfriend, Frank, for like three years now. It's crazy. The Marauders sat with us, much to the annoyance of Lily and Mercy.

Sirius sat next to me and gave me a quick hug. "Hey there kiddo." He said, grinning at me. I felt the eyes of young girls all around me attempting to stare me to death.

"Hey Sirius!" I said back. "It's been so long since I've seen you! A whole…12 hours!" I said grinning. Sirius lived with the Potters, and spent practically all day bugging me. But I still loved him like a brother.

Across the table, James was at it again. "Hey Lily. How was your break?"

"Fine Potter, thank you for asking." Lily said, attempting to be polite.

"Great, want to go out with me this weekend?" He asked, grinning. Oh great. Now James has made trouble.

"Potter! Every bloody day! What have I said every Bloody day for six bloody years! The answer is no! It will always be no!" Lily screamed, finally getting fed up.

The entire Great Hall was staring at Lily and James. James turned an awful shade of red. Poor boy. Even the First Years who were crowded behind McGonagall were staring. This situation was a little bit Awkward Turtle.

Dumbledore cleared his throat and motioned for McGonagall to bring forth the first years. They all looked bloody terrified. I would too, if I had just seen the wrath of Lily Evans for the first time. One didn't look so terrified. My little sister, Bridget. She was so adorable. I could just squeeze her little cheeks sometimes. Mind you, she is taller than me so I'd probably get bitch slapped.

Peter leaned over and looked at me. "Is that your sister?"

No Shit Pettigrew. Actually, it's Santa Claus. Or, better yet, the Tooth Fairy. That girl who looks exactly like me just 6 inches taller and is waving at me frantically is the Tooth Fairy. "Yes." I replied in a dull voice.

"Gee, Jess, she certainly has gotten taller." Mercy whispered, smiling at me. I couldn't make a wise crack at Mercy. She was just too sweet and innocent. I just nodded this time.

"Yea, she's really shooting up."

The hall quieted down as the Sorting began. Eventually, Bridget's name was called.

"Maczka, Bridget!" McGonagall yelled in her oh so sweet voice. Man, I sure did miss that voice over the summer. It was worse than bloody nails on a chalkboard.

Bridget got up and walked over to the hat. She put it on. I was a bit surprised when it didn't immediately call out Gryffindor. My whole family has been in Gryffindor since I can remember. Well, except for one…but we don't talk about him.

You can only imagine my surprise when the hat yelled out "Slytherin!" I was stunned. Bridget was stunned! The whole Great Hall was stunned. "Holy Shit." I whispered. McGonagall was so stunned she didn't even chastise me for cussing in that beautiful voice of hers that I longed to hear.

Bridget silently took the hat off and went and sat next to another first year Slytherin. The entire table was giving her a look of complete hatred. This might be because both of my parents were Aurors and all their parents were Death Eaters. Poor kid.

Man this was a surprise. A huge surprise. I was waiting for Dumbledore to stand up and yell APRIL FOOLS! But he just sat there with that smile. McGonagall finally got up the brain power to continue calling names. My sister looked rough. She was sitting there almost by herself. I wanted to cry for her.

After the sorting, there was the feast. I didn't feel hungry anymore, so I just had a little bit of ham. The feasts at Hogwarts were amazing. Anything you could ever want would show up in front of you. The food was amazing. Better than that junk I ate all summer.

Now, I'm not dissing my parents or anything, but the food at my house wasn't the best. My parents have been working so much lately because of You-Know-Who that they can't even cook us dinner. I think I've eaten cereal every night for the past three months. I love my parents, though, and wouldn't trade them for a million Galleons.

The feast went on like any normal gathering at Hogwarts. Lily and James argued, Sirius flirted with some fifth year, and Remus talked quietly with Mercy and I about absolutely nothing. After the feast, Dumbledore stood up. "I have a few announcements. The first is, due to the rising threat of Voldemort, there will be increased security provided by Aurors from the Ministry of Magic during any outside activities and Hogsmeade trips. Also, to lighten the depressing mood that seems to have befallen the castle because of Voldemort, we will be holding a Masquerade ball on October 31, Halloween, for all students 4th year and above. 1st through 3rd years will have a separate activity to do in Hogsmeade that night."

The Great Hall buzzed. Aurors? At Hogwarts? I thought Hogwarts was supposed to be safe. That's what my parents told me. I hope that the Aurors weren't my parents that would be running around. Plus, a Masquerade ball? Lily and Mercy look beyond excited. I am not so thrilled. I don't do that girl thing to well, and this meant dressing up and looking nice, something I wasn't so good at. As the whole school got up to leave, Mercy and I walked back alone since Lily had to escort the first years.

"A ball! Oh, Jess, I am so excited! Do you know what this means? That new dress I got over the summer will come in handy! I wonder who I will go with or who I will meet there… I can meet my prince Charming!" Mercy squealed. I had never seen her so happy, but at least she was excited. She loved to dress up and she always looked pretty.

"Yea, it's great, isn't it?" I said in a shaky voice as we climbed the steps. I was not ready for this. Not ready at all.

"Gobbledygook." I said as we reached the Fat Lady. She let us into the Gryffindor Common Room. Ah, home sweet home. It was nice to be back in here. We went up to Lily, and since it was already rather late, went to bed. Something about being up at 7am for classes made me real tired.

Alright, here is Chapter 2! I hope you like it! Reviews are wanted!

3 Ashley