Gwen rolled out of bed at her usual time the next morning. The sun wasn't even up yet. She went downstairs and drank some juice that tasted like pumpkins for breakfast. Then she went back up to her room and began her routine of stretching, kicking, and punching. Gwen was deadly in hand-to-hand combat if she wanted to be. Gwen crept into Remus' room an hour before she had to leave. In her hands she held shaving cream and a feather. She suppressed a giggle. Remus was sleeping in the most perfectest position for her prank. She tiptoed to his side and held her breath as she liberally applied shaving cream to his hand. He didn't budge. She then moved to the other side of the bed (so as to not get hit) and tickled Remus' nose with the feather. At first he just wrinkled his nose unpleasantly, but he eventually fell for the bait and swiped at his nose angrily. Gwen bolted, but she didn't need to. Remus had fallen back asleep. She was wandering around the house aimlessly when she heard a familiar voice.
"Oh Moony! Remmy where are you?" Called Sirius. Gwen ran into the living room.
"Shut up, Sirius. He's asleep." Sirius crossed his arms and glared at her.
"Aren't you supposed to be in school or something?"
"Not for another," Gwen checked her watch. "Half hour."
"Do you need a ride?" Offered Sirius. Gwen nodded.
"Do you guys have cars?" She wanted to know. Instead of answering, Sirius led her outside. An old station wagon was out front. Gwen ran inside to grab her school books as Sirius started the car. They arrived at St. Andrews ten minutes before school started. Gwen said good-bye to Sirius and ran off to find her friends. It didn't take her long. She bounded into the homeroom she shared with her three best friends. There was Shane and Shania Callavetti, the twins. They had coal black hair and light blue eyes. They were chatting with Nathalie Bruselli, the fourth member of their group.
"Hey guys," she called as she walked over to them. She received greetings from most of the people in the room. Gwen was quite popular. She sat down and listened to the conversation they had been having before she showed up. Shane and Nat were arguing over whether or not it was possible for Gandalf to be in two places at once. They were all Lord of the Rings fanatics. Gwen emerged herself in her problem. To tell them, or not to tell them, that was the question. She realized they were talking to her.
"What?" She asked stupidly.
"I said, how old is Gandalf?" Nat repeated, getting slightly annoyed.
"Well, the Istari arrived on Middle Earth towards the beginning of the 2nd millennium as fully grown men like creatures. I don't think they were Valar, but you never know. Gandalf was the 2nd oldest and wisest. Saruman was 1st." Gwen concluded. Her friends liked LOTR, but she could go on and on for days without repeating herself. A thought suddenly occurred to her. "Why'd you ask me? Shane could've told you that." Her and Shane were always competing in everything. He knew as much about LOTR as she did. Shane shrugged.
"Her Highness over there wouldn't believe me." He said. He was hit over the head by a large book for calling Nat 'Her Highness'. When they were little, she had claimed that she was related to the Queen. The name stuck and she was now trying to get rid of it. Gwen smiled and returned to her pondering. She did that all morning long. Instead of paying attention in classes, she thought about whether or not to tell her friends. Shane made up her mind for her as they were walking to lunch.
"What's wrong?" His voice drove through her cloud of confused thoughts.
"Nothing, why?" Gwen managed to say. He didn't buy it.
"You've been daydreaming all day long. You didn't even pay attention in math and you like that class." Tears came to Gwen's eyes. So her friends noticed and cared. They wouldn't abandon her like her parents had.
"I'll tell all of you at lunch." She whispered. Shane nodded in agreement. They got their food in silence and began eating while waiting for the girls. They finally showed up, chatting about some guy who was cheating on his girlfriend with the English teacher who was cheating on the principal. Gwen rolled her eyes. Only Shania and Nat could believe that.
"Gwen could you fix my necklace?" Asked Nat, handing her a beautiful pendant. Gwen grabbed it without thinking and promptly dropped it with a loud curse.
"What's wrong?" Asked Shania, concerned.
"I'm allergic to silver." Gwen admitted dully.
"But you weren't before." Prodded Shane.
"Well that was before I … I …" Gwen couldn't say it.
"You what?" Asked Nat.
"I got bit by a werewolf." Gwen finally caved in.