Chapter 3
Come in here dear boy have a cigar
You're gonna go far, fly high
You're nerve gonna die,
You're gonna make it if you try
They're gonna love you
Well I've always had a deep respect
And I mean that most sincerely
The band is just fantastic
The band is just fantastic
that is what I really think
Oh by the way which one is Pink?
And did we tell you the name of the game boy,
We call it riding the Gravy Train,
Were just knocked out
We heard about the sell out
You gotta get an album out
You owe it to the people
Were so happy we can hardly count
Everything is just green
Have you seen the chart
It's a hell of a start
It could be made into a monster
If we pull together as a team
And did we tell you the name of the game boy,
We call it riding the Gravy Train.
-Pink Floyd, Have a
Cigar (whoa that was long!)
James sat on a bench in Diagon
Alley waiting for everyone else to come. He had gotten his letter from Hogwarts
the day before and he couldn't wait to open it. Something told him he was going
to be Head Boy. Maybe it was the size of the envelope. Or plain old intuition.
Whatever it was he hoped it was right. Peter hadn't written back to him yet.
Last he heard he was still in Paris with his parents and that girlfriend of
his, Monique. He couldn't wait to meet this one!
"Hello Prongs" someone said sitting next
to him. He turned around and grinned. It was Remus.
"Hello there Moony! How are you?"
"Pretty good. And yourself?"
"I'm doing good! I wish everyone else would hurry up and get here
though."
"Wait no longer" a familiar voice said from behind them. All of a
sudden Abby swooped down and gave Remus a kiss. Right behind her stood Lily.
"Lily!" James exclaimed giving her a hug.
"Hello James" she said giving him a small peck on the cheek "How are
you?"
"Good. Yourself?"
"Better than before!"
"Oi! James, Lily, Remus, Abby!" another voice yelled to them. Sirius
came strutting down the street. They met him in the middle and had another
round of hello's and whatnot.
"Is anyone as hungry as I am?" Abby said suddenly when they had
finished. They all were. They were all standing in front of The Leaky Cauldron
so they went in and got seats outside.
"Look" Abby whispered in disgust while they were looking at their
menu's "It's Lucius and his clones". She looked pointingly across the street.
There was Lucius Malfoy along with Crabbe and Goyle the two brainless gits who
latched onto him.
"Is that Narcissa on his arm?" Sirius whispered. Lily nodded. Sirius's
face fell. In his fifth year he and Narcissa had gone out for a while. She
wasn't a Slytherin but a Ravenclaw and had been very nice.
"Too bad such a nice person is going that way" Remus murmured shaking
his head. Just then Lucuis saw them looking at him. He said something to his
friends and they all laughed a loud obviously fake laugh. Lucuis sneered at
them and mouthed something that looked distinctly like "Mudblood" towards Lily.
"What a son of a…" James started getting out of his seat but Lily put
her hand on his arm.
"Ignore it. It's all he wants. Don't let him get it from you"
"Still Lily…do you think we should just let him sit there and do that?"
"No. He will be punished someday that's all I know. Somehow…"
James only raised his eyebrows and looked at Sirius who was talking.
"So did everyone get their Hogwarts letters?" he asked them. They
nodded "Lets open them then!".
Slowly everyone pulled back the paper. Lily gasped. A silver shiny Head
Girl badge had just fallen out onto her lap. She picked it up in awe and looked
at James who was holding a nearly identical one. No one said a word. Suddenly…
"WERE HEAD BOY AND GIRL!" Lily screamed jumping up from her seat and
jumping up and down. She grabbed James in a hug and continued on.
"Were going to be Head Boy and Girl, Were going to be Head Boy and
Girl!" she screamed. Still jumping around she looked directly at Lucius who had
heard every word and gave him a look that very clearly said "Were Head Boy and
Girl- and you're not!"
Lucius gave them a death glare and walked away. His group followed,
Narcissa in the back. She looked at Lily and smiled, as if to say
congratulations. Lucius grabbed her arm and pulled her along though. Lily stood
still. It didn't seem right that a girl like Narcissa was going that way. Still
it wasn't her business so she turned back to her friends.
"Sorry about that. I don't
know what came over me!" she said as she sat down.
"You deserve it Lily after all those years of hard work" Remus said "I
just don't see how James got it of course."
They all laughed. Their waiter came over to take their order. It hadn't
even been a minute after when Sirius leaned in towards them all.
"Look" he whispered looking across the street.
"What?" James asked.
"Look at that girl. Right there looking at the books."
They all looked over and saw her. Her hair went down at least to her
waist and was straight and jet-black. She wasn't terribly thin but she wasn't
very chubby either. When she turned around they all looked back at the table so
she wouldn't see them looking at her but Lily caught a glimpse of her tan skin
and dark eyes.
"It's the exchange student!" Sirius told them.
"How do you know?" Remus asked him.
"Who else would it be? We know most people from around here. Even if we
don't know them, we've seen them. Have any of you ever seen her?"
They shook their heads.
"Does anyone know her name?" Abby asked.
"No one seems to know a thing," James told her "My father just told me
that there was an exchange student coming."
"From where?" Lily asked.
"I don't know."
"Lets find out then!" Sirius said, a glint in his eye.
"What?"
"Someone go ask her"
"Who?" Lily asked.
"How about you Lily? You're probably the most polite out of all of us.
I'd most likely scare her back to where she came from".
"All right" Lily said feeling excited "I'll do it!". Lily was the most
cautious out of the entire group so when an opportunity like this came up she
took it.
She got out of her seat and ducked under the rope that separated the
outside café from the street. The girl had been walking away so Lily hurried to
catch up with her.
"Excuse me!" she called. The girl stopped and turned around, her dark
hair whipping around like a sheet.
"Yes?" she asked. Her voice had a definite accent.
"Hi, I'm Lily Boron. Are you by any chance the exchange student that's
going to be coming to Hogwarts this year?" she blurted out starting to lose her
nerve at the confused expression on the girls face.
"Yes, yes I am actually. How did you know?"
"We just thought so. When I say we, I mean myself and my friends over
there" she told her pointing to their table. Sirius saw and gave a little wave.
The girl smiled.
"Nice to meet you Lily. My name is Arina Katyrina Jesinta Molienta.
Arina is just fine though!"
Lily smiled. She seemed nice enough. When Arina pushed her hair away
she noticed a row of silver hoops going up her ear.
"I love your ears" she said in awe. No one in their school had more
than two sets of piercing.
"Thanks.
I'm rather fond of them too but my mom hates it!" she said, "She nearly blew
the roof off the top of the house when my older brother took me out one day and
I came back with my belly button pierced!"
"Your belly button…" Lily said, astonished.
"Yeah…
"Well anyway I came over here to ask if you would you like to
have lunch with us?" she asked Arina.
"Do the rest mind?"
"No not at all. Were a pretty friendly bunch…unlike some" she muttered
thinking of Lucuis. Arina nodded.
"I think I have all ready met the unfriendly bunch. First thing they
did was ask me if I was pure blood."
"Just keep your distance and you'll be fine. So do you want to sit with
us?"
Arina studied Lily's face for a second before nodding. Then she smiled showing off a set of white
perfect teeth.
"I'd love to".
"Come on then!"
Arina followed Lily back to the table.
"Everyone this is Arina…Arina…" she stumbled forgetting the girls
extensive name.
"Arina Katyrina Jesinta Molienta. Arina if you don't mind" Arina cut
in.
"That's your real name?" Sirius asked
"It is. Is there something wrong with it?"
"No it's just…where are you from."
"Spain. And what is your name?"
"Sirius Black."
"And I can tell you love to live up to your name don't you?" she said
smiling at him. She laughed and shook her head. Sirius rolled his eyes.
"If only you knew. Have a seat."
He said indicating to the empty chair besode him.
"Thank you" she said sitting down. Lily went back to her seat. That had
started out alright.
"So why did you come down here Arina?" Remus asked.
"Voldemort." She said sadly "My family is a big target so they thought
I would be safer here with Dumbledore and all."
"Seems like everyone's on his hit list doesn't it?" James said. Just
that summer his grandfather had been killed. No one except Sirius and Remus
knew though. He didn't want to make Lily or anyone else worry.
"Sadly it does." Arina said. "My younger brother got sent off to
Beuxbatons the poor thing. I was lucky enough to get here".
"What about your parents?" Abby asked. Arina shrugged. "They're still
at home. They can take care of themselves better than we could and in Spain you
cant trust anybody as I just found out!"
"What happened?" Lily asked.
"Oh just a lot of betrayal. My old boyfriend turned out to be a Death
Eater. Nearly killed me!" she sad lightly. She looked at the rest of the table
who looked horrified "I'm over it now though!"
"Oh. Well not to change the subject or anything" Remus said with a sigh
"But look who's here". He nodded to the other side of the restaurant where none
other than the evil clique of Hogwarts sat ordering. Lucius saw them looking at
them and sneered at them. Then he saw Arina with him and his face twisted
menacingly. Apparently he had been too late in trying to get her to go to his
side.
"Not them again!" Arina muttered.
"You've all ready met them?" Sirius asked, "They move fast!"
"Yes and the first thing thy asked me was if I was a pure blood!" she
replied looked almost insulted.
"Are you?" Sirius asked.
"Yes but that shouldn't matter!"
"It only matters to them" Abby told her as their waiter came over with
their food. Arina ordered a glass of water and rolled her eyes.
"It just bothers me when people do that. Like pure bloods rule and Muggle
borns are nothing. Especially at a time like this when everyone should be nice
to each other".
"They should but some just don't understand. In fact most of their
family are Dark Arts freaks." James said.
"I had my…what is the word? Suspicions?"
"Do they speak English in Spain?" Sirius asked. Arina looked at him in
surprise.
"Sometimes but not always. That is why I sometimes struggle for the
right word. Please excuse me when I do."
"Your pretty good for not having English as a first language" Sirius
replied "Do you speak anything else?"
"I speak.. Spanish, English, and Japanese. Mermish too but not
fluently" she said looking embarresed.
"Are you kidding?" Sirius exclaimed "I can barely speak English!"
Arina shrugged.
"I have been taught multiple languages since I was very, very, young.
My father believes in knowing a lot of different languages".
"Does your father work for the ministry?" Remus asked. Arina shook her
head.
"He is the head master at our school of magic. I cant tell you the name
right now though."
"Why?" James asked.
"Because it is being hidden from Voldemort. I am not allowed to tell
anyone about it."
"Not even us?"
"I'm afraid not."
"It's all right." Lily broke in "Are you going to be staying in Diagon
Alley until Hogwarts starts up?"
"I have to. Ministry members are making sure I don't leave" she said
with a roll of her eyes.
"That sucks" Remus said.
"We should meet up sometime" Lily said. Arina smiled.
"That would be so nice! I would love to…I think it would be rather dull
if something didn't happen!"
"It's usually too dull around here believe me". Abby told her. They all
nodded in agreement.
"I hope not. How long is it until school begins again?"
"Two weeks" James said shaking his head sadly "Where did our last
summer go?"
"But it's our last year James. Just keep saying that" Lily told him. He
only shrugged but a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
"How many people are in out year?" Arina asked.
"Something like…forty I think. Give or take a few." Abby replied.
"That is all? My this must be a small school!"
"Small?" Sirius repeated "Hogwarts is nothing but small! Just wait till
you see this castle…"
"I did not meant the building I was only speaking of the amount of
students!" Arina said "Sorry if I insulted you…?"
"But of course!" James broke in trying to break the tension with a
French accent "Eet is our Hogwarts! Zee lovely and breathtaking Hogwarts! An
vee must protect our school from all insults from evil exchange students!"
"Evil? Moi? How dare you!" Arina said back, "Have you ever met anyone
from Beaxbatons?"
"The French school?" No, why?"
"They're awful! Snobby as anything! Sometimes you'll meet a nice one
but for the most part they hold themselves above the rest. That's why I felt so
bad for my brother, having to go there. Good thing he speaks French though…"
"We have our share of snobs" Abby said with a sidelong glance, a few
tables over.
"Yes I know" Abby replied, "At first they tried to treat me all nice
but when I told them to kiss my ass they got pretty hostile. Except for the
girl, Narcissa I think it was"
"You told them to kiss you ass?" Sirius said, laughing. There was a
glint in his eyes.
"They deserved it! I mean I hardly ever swear but when I do I don't
like to hold back."
"Really and the rumors were that you were a sweet quiet demure thing"
James laughed.
"Who told you that?" she laughed, "I mean come on! On the last day of
school last year I timed it so over a hundred dung bombs went off as our final
dinner started. I had to wash all the dishes that night!" she laughed. Siruis
snorted.
"You call that bad? Me and James, we turned all the girls hair purple
one night!" he said looking smug.
"You think your better than I am?" she laughed. By now the table had
falled quiet and all eyes were on Sirius.
"I do" he said.
"But Sirius! You are looking at the greatest prankster your
school will ever see! There is no one greater than I than getting the school
into a tizzy"
"Care to make it a challenge?" Sirius broke in looking thrilled at the
idea.
"Make what a challenge?"
"Who can get the school in a bigger up roar throughout the school year.
Me or you."
"What about me?" James asked.
"Your Head Boy. Last thing you needed is to be kicked out of that
position. I can't even imagine the howler your mother would send you. Do you
accept Arina?"
"I do", she said staring him down. They shook hands and turned back to
the table and were met with an array of astonished faces. They looked back at
each other and grinned mischievously.
"Sirius" Lily said exasperated "Do you wish to graduate from Hogwarts?
At all? In any way?"
"They wont kick me out! My grades are too good. Unlike some
people…*cough* Peter*cough*"
"Leave Peter alone" Abby broke in "He's never been as talented as any
of you".
"Who is Peter?" Arina asked.
"A kid who we became friends
with" Sirius said "I wrote him four times this summer and I didn't get a single
letter back!"
"Oh! I just remembered!" Remus said suddenly reaching into his pocket
"Peter just sent me this!"
He pulled out a letter, folded and a bit torn.
"Its about time!" James said "Read it"
"Alright" Remus said "Dear Remus…"
How are you? I am well. I am still in Paris with Monique. She says
hello. Have you gotten a letter from Hogwarts yet? Please tell everyone I'm
sorry that I haven't written, I have been very busy. Tell everyone I said
hello. Have you heard anything about the exchange student? I hope that rumour
is true. Well Mother is calling me, I must go. Sorry for the shortness of this
letter. See you soon!
Sincerely,
Peter
Remus closed the letter and looked up.
"He didn't even tell us what Monique looks like" Sirius said suddenly
"Wow I thought the day he had a girlfriend he'd have it written in the sky".
"Didn't we all" James muttered, "Wish he would write to us"
"Don't we all" Sirius said looking annoyed. "Whatever…"
"Yeah" Lily said quickly. "Anyway…we should probably get going"
"Your right" Abby said standing up. They put their money together, left
a tip and left. Outside of the restaurant they realized that it was all ready
four thirty.
"My Dad said to meet him in front of Madame Malkin's at five" Abby told
them.
"I should be going" Arina said "I need to write to my parents"
"I'll write to you" Lily said.
"Great. Lets get together alright?"
"I hope we do. See you later Arina"
"Good bye!" she called to them.
"Don't forget out agreement!" Sirius called after her. She waved a
response and eventually disappeared. They all sat on a bench.
"You like her don't you?" James finally said to Sirius. He was sitting
with his arm around Lily. He could tell she did.
"I like a lot of girls James".
"You really like her" Remus said.
"I do not".
"Yes you do. More than all of those girlfriends you've had over the
years."
"Your imagining things. I wont deny she's not pretty, that would be a
lie. She's gorgeous actually but I'm not going to ask her to marry me or
anything".
"Do you ever plan on getting married Sirius?" Lily asked. That was one
of the great mystery's Sirius held. He never talked about the future, only now.
"Do I look like the type to settle down Lily?" he asked leaning back.
Somehow he had always avoided the subject.
"I don't know Sirius. You never let us know."
"I don't see myself as a one woman type of guy to tell the truth" he
admitted "It fits you guy's but…I don't know."
"What's stopping you?" Abby asked. Sirius never talked like this.
"Nothing! Nothing stops me I just don't see myself that way married…children…a
job that I go in every day to sit at a desk or something."
"What do you want?" James asked.
"To be an Auror, James, you know that. I don't know. Maybe someday I
will marry…" he seemed to drift of then, thinking. Then he snapped back "It
doesn't matter now anyway".
"You mother would like it" Remus put in with a grin. Sirius only shot
him look and stared off again. They sat there like that until it was time to
go. Just before they had to leave Lily took James aside.
"I missed you" she whispered. They were standing in the shadow of a
tree. She ran her hand over his face.
"I missed you too" he said softly kissing her. "I'll see you before
school starts again, I promise"
"Alright." She looked over and saw Abby standing with her father, Remus
and Sirius " I have to go"
"Bye Lily" he said giving her another kiss. Although she wished she
didn't have to, Lily pulled away slowly, gave James a hug and hand in hand they
walked away.
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Authors Note: Did you like it? I hope so! Was this font too big? If it
is please tell me, I'm not sure how it was going to come out online. *Please*
review! I would really appreciate it. Thanks!!
Disclaimer: The only thing I own is Arina and Monique. Everything and
everyone else belongs to J.K.Rowling. Oh and Pink Floyd belongs to themselves.
