A/N: I keep forgetting this, so here's the disclaimer: I own none of the harry Potter characters, they all belong to J.K. Rowling. I only own my OC characters, Jaqui Lupin, Romulus Lupin, the parents, etc. Here's chapter three!
Chapter 3-Sorting out Friends and Fiends
We stood in front of the table where the staff sat. Lily had disappeared, I guess she'd found her friend, and Potter and Black weren't around either. It was just me and Remus. I could tell he was nervous, who wouldn't be? But he wasn't as bad as other kids, a pudgy boy was visibly shaking. I finally, unfortunately, did catch sight of the two boys I'd wished I'd never have to see again. Both of them were pointing out the most scared of the group and laughing, which made my temper flare up again. I barely listened to the sorting hat rhyme/song thing, because I was too busy plotting their slow and painful death.
"Jaqui!" whispered Remus. "It's starting."
"Amary, Darlene," said the woman. What did she say her name was? McEntire…umm…no! McGonagall!
"RAVENCLAW!" Thunderous applause came from a table behind us, which must have been the Ravenclaw table.
"Black, Sirius," He strutted up and the hat had barely hit his skull when it shouted, "GRYFFINDOR"
I listened as more students were sorted, from Bleakely, Matthew into Slytherin to Enclaire, Flynn into Hufflepuff.
"Evans, Lily," Here I paid attention. The hat brushed her head and cried "GRYFFINDOR!" I clapped hard as she made her way to the Gryffindor table, but felt a sense of pity when I though of who else called Gryffindor their House. The list continued and Potter, James, was sorted into Gryffindor as well. I wouldn't mind being in Gryffindor, but I doubted my ability to handle them.
"Lupin, Jaqui," Wait, what? Me already? I made my way up to the chair in a zombie-like fashion. Remus gave me an encouraging thumbs up. I was way too nervous, I'm not the type to get nervous, what's wrong with me? I look out at the Gyffindor table, Lily's smiling at me, and so are Potter and Black, but I ignore them. The hat's lowering, am I shaking?
"GRYFFINDOR!" Again, I realize I wasn't breathing. I chance a glance over at the Slytherins, and find Romulus' mop head staring determinedly at the table. Doesn't matter, I make my way to the roaring Gryffindors and take my seat next to Lily.
"Lupin, Remus," says McGonagall. Oh no, Remus! I'd forgotten about him. What if he's not in Gryffindor? It would be our first time apart, can he adjust? Can I? I smile weakly up at him and he returns it. The hat goes down-"GRYFFINDOR!" Yes! I'm beaming, and breathing, I reminded myself not to hold my breath this time. He runs over to us and sits down between Potter and I, as there was plenty of empty space. Potter claps him on the back. Ugh. No matter, we're in the same House, forget all my worries,
They continue sorting, but I've stopped paying attention. The people that matter to me are all sorted anyway. Lily, though, is still playing close attention to the few first years left. When "Snape, Severus," gets up there, I feel her stiffen beside me. Kind of greasy black hair, big nose, black eyes.
"Your friend?" I ask mischievously.
"Yes. My friend," she retorts. We giggle a girly little giggle and watch the nervous boy. I thought I was sorted fast, but I swear the hat never even touched this kids head.
"SLYTHERIN!" Lily tries to smile at him, and he's looking disappointed, but tries to smile back. Well, it's more of a grimace, but it was an attempt. Potter and Black were hissing and booing as he got sorted, so when Black leaned over to see if I was laughing, I pushed him. He crashed into Potter looking stunned.
"What was that for?"
"Shut up."
"You can't tell me to shut up," he grumbled.
"I think I just did," Lily smirked at him as I said this and slapped my hand.
"Who are you? I saw you on the train with Snivellus." James asked Lily.
"Don't call him that," Lily said bitterly.
"Why not?" he asked, trying and failing to sound innocent.
"Because his name's Severus. Shall I start calling you Jaime Potty?" I fired at him.
"Jaqui, James, all of you. Calm down," Remus ordered. Of course I did, and so did James. "I don't think the professors want anyone's head bitten off. At least not before the end of our first night back." surprise surprise, Remus wouldn't want any trouble. At the moment, I couldn't care less, but Dumbledore, the Headmaster, had allowed Remus to come here quite graciously. Remus felt he owed it to him to be an impeccable student. I guess I did too, but Remus was far more intelligent than me anyway. He would have been an impeccable student anyway.
Finally, Zephyr, Jayson was sorted into Slytherin, and Dumbledore stood up. A hush fell over the Great Hall.
"Well, I've many things to say, but first let us fill our empty bellies. Fish sticks, lamb chops, and chocolate truffles!" Confused, I looked down at empty plate to see the glistening table crowded with glorious foods of all kinds.
"Whoa." Remus and I said together, completely awe-struck, and Potter and Black laughed their heads off. Even Lily stifled a giggle.
"Do it again! That was so cool, like, twin telepathy!" Black shouted. Instead I started filling my plate with delicious looking meals, Remus followed in suit. Best dinner of my life. Really, the meats cut like butter and I had some delicious tomato soup that tasted just like mother would make it. I chatted with Lily, and Remus got to know his new friends. Lily had deep green eyes, and laughed often. We acted like silly little, care-free eleven-year-olds, and being with her was a new experience for me. When I was younger, I mostly stuck to Remus' side. As I grew older I grew bolder, and talked to more people, but none were lasting friends. Just people to socialize with. It was nice to have someone like Lily to hang around with. She seemed to be thinking the same thing. I asked her about Severus.
"Oh, Sev well, he's just in my neighborhood. He had seen me before, and knew I was a witch before I did. Even tried to tell me about it, but I didn't believe him 'till I got my letter." She shrugged. "We just, kind of, got to know each other. He really isn't bad you know," she told me.
"It's ok, I know, my older brother is in Slytherin," I assured her. Of course, in my opinion, Romulus probably wasn't the best example, but he wasn't really bad either, just a little ignorant as to how lucky he is.
"Really? What's his name?"
"Romulus, he's got hair like that kid," I said, jeking my thumb in Potter's direction, "and really dark brown eyes. He's super thin." I added.
"How does he like it?"
"Umm, well, my whole family was in Gryffindor, I think he might just wish a little bit that he was in it too.' Now there's an understatement. "But that's probably the only reason he doesn't love it."
"Jaqui!" shouted Black.
"What?" I spat, whipping around. I didn't feel like talking to him, but ignoring him, I discovered, didn't really work.
"You don't have a boyfriend, do you?"
"No. Why?' I asked, incredulous.
"Really?" For some reason he looked happy.
"Why?" I repeated. He grinned at James, who grinned back, then at Remus, who wasn't grinning at all, but said nothing.
"Because I'd like to be your boyfriend," he answered. I remained quite calm, considering him for a moment. Struck with inspiration, I gripped the goblet of pumpkin juice in my hand a little tighter. I leaned across Remus, and Black leaned in too. Then, I raised my hand, turned the goblet over, and watched the pumpkin juice splatter his handsome features. Smiling at his look of shock, I sat back and decided it had been a very productive day.
Ok, so here's the third chapter. I'm unsure of where to go from here, so I'll tell you my options. 1-Continue through all the years, but skip weeks/months at a time. 2-Skip to their fifth year, going into first year with a little more detail, and then have flash backs to fill in the blanks. I'm happy with either, you tell me through comments. Advice and constructive criticism appreciated! Peace!