Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter...
Chapter 3
New Friends
That evening, James, Lily, Sirius and little Harry settled at my parents' house tired yet hopeful. They'd readily agreed on teaching me magic and suggested to remain at the house for the time being. We would've returned to the past only when I'd been sufficiently able to defend myself.
The single storey brick-veneer house wasn't large but fitted all of us with its three comfortable bedrooms, cosy sitting room and spacious kitchen. Not to mention the ample backyard that, having being warded against the Muggle neighbourhood, became essential for my "magical education".
The master bedroom went to the Potters as it was the largest and could fit Harry's crib effortlessly. Yes, Lily had packed a crib in her bag.
Sirius camped in the guest bedroom instead and not a day went by without him saying how much he loved sleeping in there surrounded by clean white painted walls. I guessed he still had in mind the walls in Grimmauld Place where he'd grown up.
My bedroom, the furthest along the corridor, seemed to greet me warmly after so many months apart, the canvases I had painted three years before almost smiling at me through their bright crisp colours. I remember taking some time just to look at everything I'd left in there. Photos of friends I'd not seen in ages, small shiny trinkets I didn't even remember why I'd kept, a red and brown dream-catcher which spoke so strongly of a life that now seemed so far away.
I sighed while sitting cross legged on my bed and stared at my reflection in the square mirror hung above the white chest of drawers. I had changed. My hazel eyes held an odd resolute twinkle I had not seen for a long long time, while my face, slightly more tanned than usual, was sporting a content smirk of satisfaction.
I had been right after all.
Magic was real.
Chuckling, I ran a hand through my messy dark-brown hair and winked at myself.
Over the following weeks, James, Lily and Sirius began tutoring me in the Magical Arts. Not having a proper wand didn't prevent me to learn a lot, as they'd first thought. I'd been using their wands respectively without much effort. I'd been surprised at first at how much I was actually able to learn. Spells, incantations and hexes were relatively easy to learn, a feat that had made them wonder how strong my magic could have grown with the perfect wand.
I do believe that my book knowledge of their world was finally giving me an upper hand.
While James focused on Transfiguration, his favourite subject, Lily taught me Charms and theory of Potions. Given the lack of cauldrons and magical elements, real potions had been impossible for me to brew as we had decided not to enter the wizarding community for the fear to be recognised or thwarted.
Sirius, instead, gave me lessons in Defence Against the Dark Arts and Duelling which, I might add, were the two subjects I was most interested in.
The only thing I was having trouble with was the Patronus Charm.
'Just think of your happiest memory, Jemma,' said Sirius tiredly for the twentieth time that morning.
Happiest memory, happiest memory…
'Expecto Patronum!' I shouted waving James's wand. A silvery thread of smoke feebly appeared for a few seconds before dispersing into the wind.
Sirius groaned.
'I can't do it!' I said exasperated. 'I give up!'
'You're not concentrating!' he snapped at me. 'Even a thirteen-year-old can do it!' He had just finished reading the third Harry Potter book, I realised with a scowl.
'Harry is an exception!' I whined quite offended of the unfair comparison.
'Well, he's my Godson,' he replied with a proud smirk.
I looked at him incredulously before stomping off inside irritated.
Even though I'd always known the theory behind it, I could not cast it. It seemed I didn't have memories happy enough for it to work.
In addition to that, I realised that Sirius Black was not a patient person.
New information was thrown at me every day. Mastered one thing, a new one would immediately follow. Yet, I wasn't confused. I was thirsty for knowledge, I was literally hungry for magic.
The fact that the Italian School of Magic didn't allow Muggleborns to attend, had irked me deeply. However, it wasn't unexpected. As Lily later told me, several countries ensured that their schools would remain "pure". Durmstrang was like that, for example.
During those first few weeks, the Potters had regained hope although you could note a lingering trace of worry in their eyes. Harry, in particular, was enjoying the new freedom as his parents often took him to the playground or the town park during my lessons with Sirius.
Lily and I had quickly become best of friends and it wasn't uncommon for James and Sirius to hide their yawns at our never ending girl talks.
Of the two Marauders, James seemed the more mature one. He wasn't the bullying sixteen-year-old I had read about in the fifth book, but a funny and loyal young man who appeared to be carrying a thousand problems on his shoulders.
Sirius was an entirely different character. He was the type of person that rarely looked sad or troubled, yet I could feel it was his personal way to mask unwanted feelings and thoughts. While staying at my house, he became extremely fascinated with Muggle technology, from mobile phones, to MP3 players and flat screen TVs.
Most nights were spent watching movies in the sitting-room or playing Monopoli and Scrubble around the kitchen table.
Simple things they hadn't had the chance of experience because of the war didn't appear that simple to them at all. It made me effectively wonder how lucky I appeared to be to the three of them.
AN: Thanks to joanvindiesel and Crazy-for-CSI for their fantastic reviews! I know this chapter doesn't say much at all but I promise the next one's gonna be — er — more interesting!
Please, please, please review!
JemmadA
