A/N: Sorry for the delay! The holidays have me so distracted! I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas, if that is what you celebrate.
To tell the truth, I'm not too fond of this chapter. It's short and kind of filler! I'd probably be able to write better if it wasn't so late, and it wasn't still Christmas. Ah well. I'll probably have another update again before next week is over—maybe two. I still have to finish my other story as well, though!
Enough excuses! On to the story, yeah? As always, reviews are appreciated. Thank you so much to those of you who have reviewed, put my on alert, or favorited this story!
The next day, I woke to find all of the Gryffindor girls shuffling about. Some had already gone to breakfast, returning with their schedules. Others were organizing their area, decorating the walls around them with pictures and posters that expressed who they were.
Lily was calmly brushing her hair. On her bed I saw a slip of paper—evidence that she had already been down to the Great Hall and back again. I sat up and stretched my arms out far in front of me. I tried to shake the fatigue away, but it still clouded my awareness.
I tossed the covers off of me, and quickly changed into my Gryffindor robes. Lily didn't seem to notice I had gotten up and she moved from brushing her hair to decorating her area.
When I had finally gotten completely ready, I found Petra and Marina outside of the Great Hall.
Petra was tall and lean. Her hair was jet black with an almost navy blue shine when it caught the light. Her eyes were a vibrant shade of brown, almost the color of darkened honey. Marina was shorter with an average build. She had short brown hair that fell just to her shoulders. Her straight-across the forehead bangs made her look younger, but it suited her. She too had brown eyes, but hers were more of a chocolate brown color. Petra was a Hufflepuff and Marina a Ravenclaw. They were my two friends from other Houses.
"Jackie!" Petra exclaimed. "I've missed you. How've you been?"
"Good, good. And you two?"
"Great," Marina answered brightly. "I believe we have Charms together today."
"Ravenclaws and Gryffindors?"
"Yep."
"Well, cool! I still have to find my timetable…"
"You'd better hurry, especially if you want to eat. I expect they'll be taking the food away soon." Petra said.
"You would think after how much I ate last night, I wouldn't be hungry. But I am."
"We're going to go fetch our books."
"I'll see you in Charms, Jackie!" Marina said, and then headed towards Ravenclaw tower.
There were few plates of food left, but I managed to make a decent plate of food. From across the hall I saw Petra's boyfriend, Levi. He waved at me with a smile. It was an awkward expression, because he had a mouthful of eggs daring to push their way out.
Professor McGonagall advanced towards me just as I was about to take a sip of freshly made orange juice. I set it down reluctantly and swung around on the bench to greet her.
"Morning professor."
"Morning Miss Whitaker. Here is your schedule. I expect to see you promptly in my classroom tomorrow."
"I'll be there, professor. I always am."
McGonagall nodded and smiled mildly. She never was one to express too much emotion, and it appeared forced.
I quickly ate the contents of my plate, not even taking enough care to notice how artfully spiced the eggs were. I had Charms in just under an hour, and I still needed to prepare my bag. I hadn't even had the time to unpack anything, let alone unpack and sort my books and supplies.
Running up to Gryffindor tower was an unpleasant experience, as my stomach felt like it would burst. I saw a couple of my House-mates on their way to class, and it only made me feel the need to run faster. I had taken longer than I should have in the Great Hall. It would have been a miracle if Lily was waiting for me, but that was something I highly doubted.
"Erumpent." I breathed, and the Fat Lady swung open to allow me entrance. I darted through. Everyone in the Common Room was a blur, and I ascended the stairs to the girls' dormitories with surprising haste. As I was about to wrench the door open, it was pushed outwards, nearly sending me tumbling backwards down the hard and cold stair.
"Damn!" I cursed, and looked up accusingly. There was Lily, an apologetic smile on her face.
"Sorry, Jackie. I thought perhaps you had vanished along with the dishes or something. Was your breakfast satisfactory? I would have thought after last night, you'd never be hungry again."
"It was good." I huffed. I was still out of breath. "I need to get my books…and my bag. Ugh! Go! Go! I'll meet you there."
"You'll be late," Lily stated, and I rolled my eyes at her.
"I know! Which is why I need to get in there—" I pointed passed her, and she smirked.
"I know; I'm just playing with you. I better hurry along. You know I love you, Jacks, but I am not willing to risk my perfect attendance record."
"Save me a seat if you can." I yelled over my shoulder. Lily had already started walking away. She waved me off, and I took that as a loose promise.
With much anxiety, I filled my messenger bag full of books. I wasn't exactly paying attention to what I was putting in; I was fearful of forgetting something, so I was stuffing in everything that would fit. I hated to think that I would be late. I had never been late to class! It was my fault, however, and I would own up to that if the need came.
Down the stairs. Through the Common Room. After that, it was all running. Running through the halls; running around the corners; running to catch a moving staircase. By some stroke of luck, I made it to the Charms classroom just in time for class. However, I was the last one to pass through the doors, and the entire group of students turned to stare at me. I searched the room for Lily, and my heart sank. She was sitting next to someone already. I squinted. James! Despite the situation, I felt like laughing. I didn't know how that had happened, but I couldn't wait to hear the story. One half of the quartet was sitting next to each other: Remus and Peter.
It dawned on me then, as my eyes scanned the room for a vacancy. There was one spot left—and it was next to Sirius Black.