Chapter 13: Of Hogwarts and QG

4 days later, my parents, who had stayed with us at my gran until it was time for us to go back to school, came with us to 9 ¾'s gate, using Floo powder. We spotted James waiting for us (or more like, waiting for his girl) in front of the first entrance of the train. My parents hugged us and repeated to me for the hundredth time to take care of myself, to never go anywhere without my wand, and, to remember the spells they taught me within the last few days. Defensives spells, and others to create diversions... I reassured them again, and I followed Lily in direction of James. He took Lily's suitcase from her and Lily, in return, took Colonel's cage from me, leaving me only my too-heavy-of-a-suitcase to painfully carry in the stairs leading to the train's corridor. And of course, the compartment the boys chose was the last one in the train, so I arrived there sweating and clearly at my best. Usually I would have used my wand, but the corridor was full of students and I would certainly have banged someone on the head with my suitcase while doing it. Surely, I was at my best right now to be facing Sirius. Thanks again, life. Indeed, he was comfortably sitting across the bench, his back to the window and his legs crossed at the other side of the seat. He smiled at me when I entered.

- Morning, Meadowes, he said.

- Morning, I huffed, dropping my suitcase.

I fetched my wand from my back pocket and levitate my suitcase to put it on top of Sirius's seat, while James was sitting with Lily in the bench facing us. I looked at them, then at Sirius and wondered where to seat myself. I was interrupted in my ambivalence by Remus and Peter's entrance. Remus dropped his suitcase and came to greet me with a hug.

- Nice to see you, Dorcas, he said in my ear while hugging me. I was worried sick after James told me what happened to you in Diagon Alley… He murmured.

- I'm fine, don't worry...

I saw, over his shoulder, that Sirius seated himself promptly and was scowling at us. I took a step back from Remus and said Hi to Peter, before I seated myself at Lily's side, leaving the boys to seat with Sirius. The train left the station at this moment, shaking us a little. A minute later, I saw Marlene opening the door to our compartment abruptly.

- Dorcas! She shouted.

And she jumped on my lap, hugging me very tightly, like, I would suffocate if she doesn't let go soon... She did release me after a couple of seconds, leaving my lungs to restart doing their job.

- Are you okay, hon? I was so worry about you! I got your letter this morning! She said, clearly worried.

- I'm fine, Lene, don't worry! I said, to calm her down.

- How can you say that!? Somebody purposely attacked you on freaking Diagon Alley! You could have died! She added.

- I know. But, I'm alive and well, so let's not make a big deal out of it? I said.

She nodded, but stayed on my lap, still hugging me, but this time, leaving me space to breath. At that moment, I spotted Mary, who was now entering the compartment too, and she came squeezing my shoulder with affection.

- We're very glad you're okay, Dorcas. Come on, Marlene, let's go back to our compartment, it's a little too crowded here... She said to Marlene.

- In fact, you two can stay, James and me have to meet the other prefects in a minute. Come, James. Later, you lot, said Lily, getting up.

- Later, lovebirds, said Marlene, sliding from my lap to sat on the bench at my side. So, you need to tell me everything in details, Dore...!

Mary came to sit next to Marlene, in front of Sirius, near to the window. I told the story another time, with everybody except Sirius paying good attention to it, his gaze lost in the landscape scrolling fast as the train went by. The ride went smoothly, we talked casually for a while, interrupted now and then by James and Lily who came to see us for a bit while doing their rounds of the train. We finally arrived at Hogwarts a little before dinner. As usual, the passengers splitted up, the ridiculously little first years (We, for sure, were not that little when we arrived at first, were we?) going with Hagrid, the gate keeper, to cross the lake with the gondolas and get the best view of the castle for their first time here. The rest of us headed in the direction of the thestrals leading the carriages to the castle. I did see them, since my third year, after I assisted at my grandpa's death at St-Mungos with my family. It was sad, but it was a very serene death, by age and not by sickness, after a full and happy life. But nonetheless, I nearly had a heart-attack when I came back to school a month later and saw that those carriages were pulled by tall black creepy skeletal horses. After the surprise's past, I began to realise that I wasn't the only one seeing them, and that they looked actually friendly enough. I followed my friends in the direction of the first carriage where we squeezed, all height of us, Lily on James's lap and Marlene on Mary's. I was myself squeezed between Sirius and James. I sense Sirius's right arm and leg glued to my left side because of the lack of space. It felt warm against me and I can't deny that I was liking it.

We arrived at the entrance of the castle, dropped our suitcases in the entrance hall and went to sit at Gryffondor's table in the Great hall. As usual, the Sorting took FOREVER while we were going in the way of starvation (okay, maybe I'm over-dramatic a little, but I tend to get cranky when I'm hungry). Dumbledore presented to us our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, a smiling woman with a pixie haircut of chestnut hair and bright purple eyes and named Eve Rosewood. She looked at us with a smile that looked sincere and I was actually looking forward to meet her. Dumbledore reminded us that the Forbidden forest, as the name says it, is forbidden, except if we wanted to suffer a horrible death, he also said that duels in the corridor were not allowed, looking at the Slytherins and then at the boys surrounding me (The marauders), and after he wished us a ''Bon Appétit" the food finally appeared.

After treating ourselves with the amazing feast (Merlin did I miss the Hogwarts elves and their marvelous cooking skills), we headed upstairs to the Gryffindor tower. We went directly unto our dorm to unpack. After that, the girls came around me on my bed and we opened a bottle of goblin wine, Marlene's treat, and since we didn't have any glasses up here, we drank from the bottle itself.

- So, said Marlene, two things I want to know. First, Lily, you must spill it all on us, you did write to us that you and Potter were together, but you left all the juicy details!

- Well, it was too long to write it down, easier to tell you both face to face. Here's how it happened...

And Lily told them all about it from what happened at the night club, the beach, the movie theater... Mary told us that she too saw the movie Star Wars and that she loved it.

- And now that this is covered, Dor, how are things going with Sirius? He was staring at you all the way to Hogwarts... She said, smirking.

- What? He wasn't, I said.

- Not all the time, but, yeah, he was staring a lot, said Mary, taking the bottle from me and taking a sip from it.

- I told her, that you fancy him, added Marlene, stating the obvious.

- I don't FANCY him, I said.

- Yeah, sure, Dor... riposted Marlene, rolling her eyes.

- And you Marlene, still planning to get Remus? I asked her, stealing the bottle from her to take a swig at it.

- I'll sure try! Speaking of which, should we go to them? Maybe they're in the Common room? She asked, finishing the bottle.

Okay, this bottle was emptied in 15 minutes, which is ridiculous.

- OH. OH! I have a better idea, I said, getting excited.

- What? Asked Marlene.

- I discovered something, the night before we left, last year. I didn't tell you because I wanted to keep the surprise for our final year. Guys, it's so awesome you won't believe it, I explained.

- Okay, now you spill it out, girl, or I will die from the expectation! Shouted Marlene.

- I'll do better than that, I'll show you. What time is it? I asked.

- Heum, it's a little past ten, answered Lily, looking at the clock on the wall.

- Sooo, chances are, no one left in the Common room? We could sneak out? I said.

- And get caught out of bed by Filch and or his horrible cat on our first night here? Mary said, clearly worried.

- Don't be a wuss, Marlene teased her. Let's do this! She exclaimed, clearly excited.

We pushed Mary out of the dorm, giggling and hushing to try to be subtle, what we were miserably failing at. When we arrived in the Common room, we spotted James and Sirius, who were alone there and playing wizards chess. They looked at us when we arrived, arching a brow at us, questioningly.

- Hey girls, where are you going? Asked James.

- … Nowhere! Said Lily, laughing a little too hard, not at all acting suspicious.

- Are you lot sneaking out? Asked Sirius, smirking.

- Maybe? I said.

- To where? He asked.

- To a place called None of your business? I tried.

He and James rose up from the couch and came to meet us.

- We're bored, intrigued and totally going, said Sirius. And you should know that your chances to get caught if we go with are almost inexistent.

- How is that? I asked, crossing my arms.

- Just have faith, added James, smiling at Sirius knowingly.

- Okay, suit yourself and come, then, I agreed.

- Where to? Asked James.

- Not far, we stay on the 7th floor.

- Okay, give me a minute, he said.

He turned his back to us, and took a paper from his pocket and he and Sirius looked at it, but told us not to come close, those secretive bastards. Not long after, he turned back to us.

- It's cleared, we can go.

Turning my tongue not to say something harsh because I was frustrated by the fact that I still didn't know how they do it, I opened the portrait instead and went out. Sirius came by my side as I was taking the lead.

- You reek of liquor, Fury, he stated, clearly amused.

- I don't. It was just… A little goblin wine, to celebrate the new term.

- Interesting, next time I'll know where the fun is, he said.

- You can't even come up our dorms, I said, knowing that boys were sliding down the stairs when they attempt to come visit girls' dormitories.

- Your lack of faith in me is very annoying, he smirked at me.

We ended up in front of the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy. I stopped and told them to stay back. I passed in front of the wall facing the tapestry, thinking hard: "I need a place to hang out with my friends''.

- What the bloody hell are you doing? Asked Sirius.

I didn't respond, hushing him instead without looking at him, and repeated my sentence while passing another time in front of the wall. I did hope that it'll work. I found out about this while I was desperate to find a bathroom before I would pee on myself on my way back to the Common Room. I was pacing, praying that my bladder would hold up, when I saw a door appearing before my eyes. I never thought there was a bathroom there. I came back the day after, and there was no door, but I was pretty sure that was the spot. In front of Barnabas's tapestry, I was sure of it, being a pretty observant person. I wondered in front of it, thinking that it made no sense. I came back the same night, after dinner, still thinking in front of it. After a while, my thoughts derived from the question at hand and I began to think that it was a shame that the Common Room was so crowded, because I wish I had a calm spot to read. Another door appeared. I thought that the bathroom just showed itself at certain moments? Or maybe you need to feel the need to go to the loo... But I didn't really have the need to go right on the spot? I opened the door and closed it before the light opened and I found myself in a cozy small library, with comfy plush armchairs and reading lamps. What the hell? I remembered that I did thought about finding a nice quiet place to study… Maybe the room transformed in what I want? Wanting to test the theory, I stepped out of the room and thought about how I did it. I was pacing in front of it, focusing. I decided to think about a place to study for my Defense-against-the-dark-arts exam, that I'll have tomorrow, last day of the term. I thought about it and pace in front of the wall. Nothing. I did it again. And again. The door appeared after the third time. I opened it and it was way bigger, with a couch, a studying table with defenses books on it, and there was also dummies at the end of the room, to practise on. WHOA. This was the discovery of the century. Why on earth did I found this a year before the end of my studies at Hogwarts? This school was bloody awesome. I tested it couple of times more, to be sure it worked the way I was thinking. After half an hour, I obtained a bedroom, a bathroom with a gigantic bath and a ballroom.

Coming back to the present, I repeated the sentence in my head another time, while pacing in front of the wall and thank Merlin, the door appeared to us. Everyone were gasping and wondering what was happening. I turned back, smiling at them, and opened the door to let them in. They came in and I closed the door behind us. The room lighted up to reveal a very warm and cozy space, looking a little like the Common room, with scarlet couches and a big fireplace. There was also a big turntable playing The Immortal's music, my favorite music band. There was a wizard's chess table, books, board games and everything we would need for a chilling spot with friends. The only thing missing was food and booze. But I do know that those are limits to transfiguration and that the room seemed to respect those. You cannot create food from thin air, just summon some from somewhere else. Something that James seemed to have master, indeed, I thought while seeing him summoning a bottle of Firewhisky from, I guessed, his suitcase. Glasses appeared on the small table in front of the fireplace a second after. He raised a brow and turned to face me.

- What exactly is this place, Meadowes? He asked me, while pouring the liquor in the glasses.

He gave a glass to everyone as we were sitting ourselves on the couch and armchairs or on the floor.

- I'm kinda surprised you lot didn't know about it, actually, I said, pointing him and Sirius with my chin, you seemed to know every bit of the castle...!

- We know the castle well enough, but I'm sure we don't have enough of a lifetime to discover everything about it... James said.

- I think it's a room who is set to respond to your desire...I explained. I first found it at the end of term last year, panicking because I needed to pee very bad... It appeared as a bathroom. Then, I came back and it wasn't there, so after multiple tests on it, I've learned that you need to think of what you want while pacing in front of it, and after three times you passed in front of it, it appears.

- It could be what we want? Asked Sirius.

- I think, I guessed it has limits, but I tried with couple of different places and got it, I said.

- Well, isn't it practical...? He added, thinking about the possibilities, I guessed by his expression.

- Let's make this our hanging out spot from now on, said James, raising his glass at us for a cheer.

- Okay, but we need to keep it a secret, we don't want this place jam-packed like the Common Room! Said Marlene. It's just for our group and yours, boys, I mean it. No sneaking girls here or else! She added, looking at Sirius with malicious eyes.

- Really? Now you're ruining it, he said back to her.

- I agree, said James, only us, and we add Moony and Pete, of course, he added.

We all agreed to the terms, it would officially become our GQ. We drank and hang out for a while, enjoying the night together and forgetting that we would be up soon tomorrow morning. I spotted the turntable and decided to go see what other music choices we have. There was a small disk storage under the turntable so I sat on the floor to look through it. I was beginning to take them out to look at the titles when I sense someone sitting by my side. I looked up from the disks and saw that it was Sirius.

- Something good? He asked.

- Well, all the Immortals disks, which is already pretty awesome, I said.

- You're a fan of those vampires? He asked me.

- I am. And not just because Dorian is the most beautiful person in the world, I like the sound of it, the lyrics, the voices melodies, everything, I said passionately.

- A groupie, I see? He said, smirking.

- Yup. Completely.

- What is it with girls and vampires? You know he would bit you, right?

- Would he? I wish he would.

- Are you really that silly?

- Of course, I'm not, Black. He can't bite, you know it, it's against the law to do it to someone without mutual agreement.

I raised my eyes to meet his, intending to smirk at him. But, his stare was so intense that I felt like my body was liquefying on the spot.

Before we had the chance to say something else, James called us.

- Okay guys, it's getting pretty late, I've checked, the way is cleared to the tower, but we need to go like, now.

I got up promptly, too shy to look back at Sirius. Marlene came by me and put her arm around my waist to lead me with her in the direction of the Gryffindor tower. She whispered to me how much she loved me (She was a little tipsy, obviously) and that this room I found was the most marvelous thing we could have, and how an awesome year it will be. We went back to the Common Room and as I was following the girls up the stairs, I risked a glance back, and I saw Sirius heading for the boys dorm's stairs. His eyes met mine and he winked at me, with a smile. I just turned back on my heels and practically ran on top of the stairs, where our dorm was. We went straight to bed, because it was past midnight now and we'll have to get up in more or less 6 hours to shower before breakfast. I turned on my back, unable to stop my brain swirling about Sirius for a while.