Part five: Traveling to Hogwarts
On September 1st the Weasley's Harry and I traveled to Kings Cross station to board the Hogwarts Express.
I was very excited to go until Hermione told me how you got to the platform.
"Run through the wall?" I exclaimed in the station.
"Shhh! The muggles'll hear you." Said Harry.
"How do you go through the wall?"
"Just walk through the barrier between platforms 9 and 10." Ron grinned. "Come on."
They both took one of my hands and pulled me towards the barrier.
"It's ok dear." Mrs. Weasley reassured me.
The twins went first to the barrier paused, and then causally slid through so no one would notice.
Cool! I thought. Mrs. Weasley waved me through, and I eagerly went.
On the other side of the barrier a humongous steam engine. It was maroon and had maroon steam billowing out of it. I just stood in awe.
"Planning on getting on?" asked Ron who was standing behind me.
"Well of course." I huffed, embarrassed.
"I'll help you with your trunk." He offered.
"Ok."
We both took and end of the trunk and lifted it onto the train and into the luggage compartment. Then we went back out to find the others. When we found Harry and Hermione, we got their trunks and put them onto the train and then looked for a compartment for ourselves. We were walking up the train talking to each other when we all bumped into someone.
"Sorry!" said Hermione immediately.
We looked up, and found ourselves facing two adults.
"Professor Lupin!" said Hermione.
"Miss. Johnson?" said Harry and I together.
"Professor." She said kindly.
"Is she the Maxis you were telling us about?" Ron asked Harry.
But Harry didn't answer, still happily stunned.
"You're teaching again!?" yelled Hermione "yes!"
"I'm glad you think so." He said
"And you're Maxis Johnson?" she said not pausing for breath "I heard a lot about you. What are you teaching?"
"Illusions part time. There's only one lesson a week. I'll be out the other times most likely."
Hermione smiled at me.
"I said I'd be seeing Harry and Aphi again soon. I meant it." She smiled mysteriously.
"You'd best be finding a compartment we'll be leaving soon." Said Remus. "Oh Aphi, your dad said he'll be seeing you before you know it."
Remus and dad had left in late August on League business, and we hadn't seen them since. I'd had letters, but Remus's promise seemed more reassuring.
"Thanks." I said, and turned to leave with my friends when a new voice popped up behind our retreating backs.
"So, they've seen it fit to let you back in the school."
We whirled around. There was a mean looking man with pale greasy skin, and a hooked nose. He was talking to Remus.
"Please Severus, I'm not in the mood."
"I don't know why Dumbledore let you back in after what happened the last time."
"Severus…" Remus was about to answer.
"Remember me Snape?" asked Maxis narrowing her eyes.
Snape's eyes widened, "Johnson?"
"Professor Johnson." She told him with the same ice in her voice.
"Dumbledore must have lost his mind to have let you in here also."
"Well he certainly has more sense then you do."
The man named Snape paused, and then he looked at us. We had backed into a compartment a bit couldn't resist listening.
"Ah, Potter and his hoodlums. Weasley, Granger, and a new one. Who are you girl? Speak up."
I would have answered but Remus did it for me.
"You really don't want to talk to Sirius's daughter like that." He looked at Snape's expression "yes, that's right it's Aphrodite."
Snape took a deep breath and walked down the train.
"Aphi," said Maxis "he'll do every thing in his power to make your life a living hell, especially if you're in Gryffindor. Don't let it get to you. If it does, call me. I'll fix him."
I was confused but Remus laughed. "Yes, he'll meet Smoky again."
"Who's Smoky?" asked Hermione.
Maxis walked over to us in our compartment. Remus followed.
"This is Smoky." She said, and with a pop she was no longer there, but on the floor there was a wolf like dog.
"Was she a marauder?" asked Ron astounded.
"Yes she was. One of the two girl marauders. Aphi's mother was the other. Nice cheetah she was." explained Remus
Maxis changed back just as the train lurched. She fell onto a seat when she was human.
"I guess I'll just sit here then." She said grinning.
Remus smiled at her and sat down. Ron, Harry, Hermione and I looked at each other and sat down as well.
"Shouldn't you two be sitting with the teachers?" asked Hermione.
"With Snape?" asked Maxis "I'd rather eat dragon tongue."
"My sentiments exactly." Said Remus.
"You know," said Harry thoughtfully. "I've been wondering, do you two know anything about the prophecy. We haven't thought about it all summer. We really should have."
"I don't know anything. Except that Dumbledore told Sirius to go get his daughter so she could go to Hogwarts and fulfill the prophecy. Though I think he was going to go get you anyway whether Dumbledore told him to or not." Said Remus
We nodded.
"I only know," started Maxis "that he wanted Aphi and Hermione to take illusions, so they could use them to help defeat Voldemort."
"Me?" said Hermione jumping "I'm taking illusions. I didn't get a letter about that."
"Yes, you're not taking Arithmancy anymore."
Hermione looked confused; finally she sighed, "the owl must have gotten lost or something like that. It's ok, but now I'll have to send for an illusions book, and I like knowing about these things in advance you know."
"It's not the end of the world Hermione." Said Ron
She gave him a cross look and then started muttering to her self about studying new material.
"So how's Crookshanks?" asked Harry "we haven't seen him all summer."
"Hasn't been himself lately. He's been very quiet and still, ever since our 4th year ended." Answered Hermione. "I've been thinking maybe it isn't him, but that's probably just what happened last year making me paranoid."
"What exactly happened last year?" asked Maxis "Dumbledore told me but he was kind of vague."
Ron, Hermione, and Harry's eyes widened.
"You don't know!"
"It was amazing!"
"Didn't you find out how he came back?"
They were all talking at once yelling back and forth so that I had to kind of strain to hear what they were saying. Maxis looked like she was having an easy time of it though. Probably because she hunted. When they were done it looked like she was thinking very hard.
"McNair, you said Harry?" she paused "I knew he was a death eater. I caught him once giving dragon parts to Voldemort. The ministry wouldn't believe me when I told them, because he was so high up with them, so they let him go. And Malfoy, I went into Knockturn ally once and saw him. I followed him into a little space in between the shops, and then he disappeared. That all seemed suspicious to me."
"Oh we've known he was a death eater for ages." Said Ron "there's just no proof. What exactly do you do that you were following Malfoy?"
"That's not what I do. I really hunt and catch poachers, but Dumbledore sent me a letter. I have a real challenge now." She grinned wildly "I'll be hunting dementors. Dumbledore is afraid that Voldemort will first convince the ones that roam free to join him, and then move onto Azkaban, so I'm to hunt all the free ones. I've been brushing up on my Patronus."
"That's safe?" asked Hermione wearily.
"My job has never been safe."
She now wore a devil may care smile.
"What's he got you doing Remus?' she asked
"Watching four students whose names I won't mention." He looked at us.
Ron rolled his eyes upward and whistled.
Part Six: We Get To Hogwarts And Aphi Meets Draco Malfoy
The Hogwarts main hall was beautiful, as was the little room the Professor led the first years and I into. When she came back to get us and led into the Great Hall I was astounded. Looking up at the ceiling I realized that I could see none, but just the evening sky. While Professor Mcgonagall called our names I just stared at the so-called ceiling. I snapped back to reality when she called my name.
"Black, Aphrodite."
Murmurs filled the hall.
"Black?"
"Related to the Sirius Black?"
"My god!"
"We're not safe any more."
"Wonder if she takes after her dad."
When I heard that comment while I was walking up I immediately thought, "hope I do."
I got up to the stool and sat down putting the hat. I sat waiting for its decision when I heard a voice. I jumped.
"Hmm, your whole family has been in Gryffindor. And you're very brave. Also have a lot of brainpower. I like that, so maybe Ravenclaw. But I can see you're a bit to out going for they're strict ways. Now you're certainly not a Hufflepuff, so it's Gryffindor or Slytherin. I think Gryffindor would be better though, so lets say… GRYFFINDOR!"
I was very glad when that trial was over. The Gryffindor table was applauding loudly, and I could see Maxis and Remus applauding at the staff table. Snape was giving me a death stare. I quickly looked away and walked to the Gryffindor table.
When I sat, Harry pointed to Snape and said
"Welcome to my life."
I groaned and shook my head.
"Shhh!" said some one
I looked up and saw that an old wizard was standing up. I knew that he was Dumbledore.
"Welcome to a new school year," he said "a lot of things happened last year. Some bad and some good. I know that last year I informed about the most serious thing that happened."
He stopped for a second while people mutely nodded their heads.
"This year there will be various people around the castle. I feel that it is your right that you know who these people are. So I inform you that the League Against Voldemort has formed again."
Some people gasped at the name Voldemort, and the silence swept over the hall again. Dumbledore smiled,
"On a more joyful note we have three new staff members this year. One not so new. Returning to us we have Remus Lupin teaching Defense Against The Dark Arts."
He got a roaring applause from every one except for the Slytherins.
"We have Maxis Johnson teaching Illusions our new class."
There was more murmuring than applause for her.
"And taking over for Hagrid while he is out is Fleur De leclur teaching The Care Of Magical Creatures. Some of you might remember her from last year."
Ron's mouth fell open.
"Here we go again." Hermione whispered.
I giggled; it was obvious that Ron liked her.
"And furthermore," continued the Professor. "There has been a new pet added to the grounds. His name is Snuffles."
Harry, Hermione, Ron, and I all started shaking.
"And that is it for announcements. Now fill up."
Food immediately filled the golden plates in front of us.
"He didn't! He didn't!" started Harry as he ate "he's so stupid."
"Hey!" I said sharply
"Sorry." He said "but he couldn't, he wouldn't. Professor Lupin wouldn't allow it."
"He didn't know." said Hermione "look."
She was looking at the staff table where Professor Dumbledore was talking to a very worried looking Remus.
"Oh, no." I said, "what if he gets caught. He's just come back into my life. I can't loose him again."
"Dumbledore'll protecting him don't worry." Hermione reassured us. "But that's not a worry, don't look now but we have company."
Ron looked where she was looking "uhg! Draco Malfoy."
I looked too. There was a tall boy with pale skin. He actually kind of looked like Snape. He was walking towards us, and then he reached us.
"Ah, Potty, Weasel, know-it-all, and the murders daughter."
"Shut up." said Harry
"What're you going to do about it."
"Ferret." Whispered Ron.
He looked a bit nervous "you don't know that much yet."
"Just go back to your losers table." I said speaking up.
"Oh, so she speaks," he snarled "and an American." He shook his head "first mud-bloods and now transfers. What is this school coming to?"
The answer to his question was a dog's growl. He turned and saw 'Snuffles' standing behind him. 'Snuffles' raised his hackles. Malfoy glared at the dog and then went back to the Slytherin table.
"you!" said Harry softly to the dog "are you nuts?"
the dog shook it's head and whimpered
"we're glad you're here but it's dangerous." I said
he shook his head again.
"he should go." Hermione whispered suddenly "it'll look suspicous if he's here the whole time." She looked at my dad "go, go visit other people. You're a lovable pup. Remember that. Come up to the Gryffindor girls dorms later. You can sleep with Aphi and I."
He nodded and went off, being pampered by people as he walked.
"he's a nutter." Said Ron "coming back here."
"all will be well." said Hermione. "now let's go upstairs."
We got up from the table and walked out of the great hall. We went up about twenty pairs of stair cases before we reached a portrait. There was a fat lady with a pink dress sitting in it.
"horse shoe." Said hermione. The portarait swung upward reveiling a hole in the wall
"how did you know?" asked Harry.
"a prefect told me."
"why aren't you a prefect?" Ron said
"I, well," she blushed sheepishly "I turned it down."
"why?"
"I just did. I don't care to eleborate."
Ron sniggered and we climbed through the hole.
"I'll show you up stairs." Said Hermione to me. "I asked if we could share a dorm, and Mcgonagall said yes."
She led me up more stairs to a door marked 5th years. Inside were three four poster beds.
"I don't know who else we'll be with." She said
I shrugged and collapsed on a bed.
"tiered?" she asked kindly
"it's been a tiring summer." I said
"I can understand that. How exactly did you find Sirius anyway?"
I smiled, and yawned. Then I sat up and started to tell her the whole story.
"I wonder how he got to the states." Said Hermione when I'd finished. He can't really just get on a bus or anything like that. And that's a long way to apparate."
"I never really thought about that." I admitted "but here's something I have been thinking about, how did that guy get dad's wand?"
"well he obviously stole it. That's for certain. He must have tricked the ministry some how."
"I just want to know to make sure it's not going to self destruct or something like that."
"it probably won't. it would've by now."
The door creaked.
"Sirius!" said Hermione
she let him in and he lept onto the bed.
"are you going to change back?" I asked
he shook his head.
"ok then, I'm going to bed." Said Hermione.
"me too."
(A/N- ok this is parts 5-6 obviously. I'll try to get one part a day up now.
Just a little preview of what's to come: we will find out about Sirius's wand, a revelation about a certain cat, Saraan will come back into the story, and Voldemort will of course reek havock. That's all I can tell you now though. So thanks for reading/revieing. I enjoy the reviews very much and once in a while it might help me get some of the parts up faster (hint, hint, nudge, nudge). And also please, please, please read my Lily stories. That's all for now.
% Kendra Black (A.K.A- Sirius Black's Daughter)