The Phoenix's Prophesy
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 13.
~*~*~*~
Harry, Neville, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny quickly walked to the Great Hall, their eyes wide. Everything from the biggest room, to the smallest nook seemed to have been enlarged for their guests arrival. Sure, there were certainly a lot of them, but did the castle really need to be expanded *this* much?
Apparently so. Because when the group stepped into the Great Hall, they stopped short, unable to say anything. The room was *enormous*, to say the least. It had been highly elongated, and the tables were also bigger. Several fireplaces lined the Hall, now, keeping the room warm.
"Come on." Hermione urged, motioning to where their normal seats would have been. the group sat, staring around themselves in amazement, while the rest of the school filed in. Once everyone was seated, they looked to the head table for instructions.
"Now. Before the other schools are seated, I want to make one thing clear. These schools will not only be sitting at their assigned table for the rest of the year, they will also be staying in that house for the time being. After the feast, the two sixth-year Prefects from each house will be expected to lead their assigned school, to the common rooms, before any of you Hogwarts students are allowed to leave." McGonagle looked around as an excited murmur ran through the room. Her eyes met with Harry's, apparently warning him not to say anything about the change with *his* particular group of friends.
"The schools will be in the following houses: Durmstrang will be with Slytherin. Beuxbatons with Ravenclaw, Dormouff with Hufflepuff, and Salem with Gryffindor. Any questions that you may have, may be asked at a later time." McGonagle sat down, and motioned at the doors. They swung open and the Hogwarts students leaned forward eagerly, to catch a first glimpse of the new arrivals.
The Beuxbatons entered first, their silk wrappings obviously not enough to keep them very warm. Next came Durmstrang, their furs looking rather uncomfortable in the quickly warming room.
The Dormouff students were next. Harry watched with interest as they filed in pertly, their rich-looking robes hiding most of their features from view. Lavender had been right in saying that they had gold on them. Most of their robes were lined in the stuff, while the fabric was red and gold tones.
Harry watched eagerly for the next group, and was not disappointed. In the dimness of the grounds, he had been unable to see the apparel of the Salem students, but now he smiled as a slew of hooded figures walked into the room and began to seat themselves at the Gryffindor table. Some of the students were in sparkling, light blue robes that reflected the candlelight of the room, while others were in dark blue robes, though all were hooded.
Then one of the figures in a light blue robe took the empty seat between Harry and Neville. Another sat on Neville's other side, while a figure in dark blue sat next to Ginny, who was across from Harry. Two more figures, one in light blue, another in dark blue, sat across from Neville, and Harry had to stifle a grin.
"Hello, Rose." Neville murmured in a low voice, that only Harry and the figure next to him could hear. The blue-clad figure nodded slowly at Neville, allowing the hood to slip down just enough to reveal a lock of shining red hair. Harry felt a tiny hand rest over his own and squeeze it, and he smiled. He realized that since Rose was next to him, it must be Raya who was on Neville's other side. Considering that, Harry deducted that Jackson was the dark-blue figure across from Rose, Shirah was next, then Shane.
Harry grinned as he felt someone stomping on his foot, telling him that Jackson was well aware of his presence. Harry wrinkled his nose in Jackson's direction, but didn't have enough time to kick back, because the Great Hall's doors opened wide once more, allowing a group of older people through, lead by the one and only Professor Albus Dumbledore.
"That's May." Rose's soft whisper came, as Harry's eyes rested on a figure clad in light-blue robes walking beside the man Harry assumed was the Headmaster of Salem Academy.
"Students, teachers, honored guests, I welcome you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I hope that your stay will be comfortable, and your time here, memorable. But for now, I believe that you are all hungry, so I won't delay you any longer. Tuck in!" Dumbledore's voice boomed out.
"HEAR, HEAR!" Ron and several other boys shouted, grinning. Harry laughed as the food appeared, noting that Jackson had been one to join in Ron's chant.
"Harry?"
Harry looked up to see Ginny giving him a strange look. With a raised eyebrow, she slowly nodded to the boy on her left, and Harry smiled.
"Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Neville and I would like to introduce you to our friends." At Harry's words, Neville grinned and rolled his eyes.
"To my right you see Rose McBride, whom I am sure you have all heard about." Harry started in an exaggerated voice.
"To *my* right, you will see Rayana Moore, niece of Professor Hendreckson and grand-niece of Headmaster Moore. Not to mention, my cousin." At Neville's statement, Harry jumped. It had never occurred to him that Raya could be related to the Headmaster of Salem Academy as well!
"Across from Rose is the one and only Jackson McBride, and next to him is Shirah Wilcox, cousin of Shane Biederon whom is on her other side." Harry finished. Ginny, Ron, and Hermione looked stunned for a moment, then they managed to greet the new people. Ginny seemed especially keen on meeting Rose...obviously.
"Ginny Weasley, how nice to meet you at last." Rose murmured. Ginny smiled.
"Nice to meet you, too." She returned.
"Is it true that you're starting the Marauders up again?" Ron asked Jackson eagerly. This led Jackson and Shane to zealously nod and start to explain about their plans. Ron listened in obvious rapture, and Harry knew that Jackson and Shane had just found another member of the group. Hermione was already in a conversation with Ginny, Rose, Shirah and Raya about the 'Family', and Harry himself was soon caught up in helping explain Ron's patron animal to him.
None of them seemed to notice that none of the Salem Academy students had taken off their hoods yet, thus hiding their faces from the curious eyes that were looking them over.
~*~*~*~
"...Prefects, would you kindly lead your assigned school to your common rooms, now?" Dumbledore asked, finishing his speech. Harry, who had already explained about the 'special' situation to his friends, watched as Ron and Hermione led the other Salem students away. Harry noticed that there were several curious glances towards the remaining Salem students, but no one dared to ask why they were staying behind.
"Come with us, Harry!" Rose whispered, standing up and pulling Harry to his feet. Harry looked at her in confusion, but relaxed as she began to lead him to the head table.
"We have to say 'goodnight' to May." Rose informed him, as he followed. Harry chose to ignore the curious looks he got from his schoolmates, and paid more attention to the fact that Jackson, Shirah, Shane, Neville, Raya, and Ginny were all coming up behind them, Ginny looking a bit nervous. As they neared the blue-clad woman on the right of Dumbledore, she finally lifted her hood, and Harry caught his breath.
May McBride-Black was easily one of the most gorgeous women he had ever met. She had long, silky blonde hair that fell like sunlight over her shoulders, and sparkling blue eyes that were clearer than water. She had pale ivory skin with rosy tones in it, and she was rather slim.
"We just wanted to say goodnight, mom." Jackson piped up, though he kept his voice soft enough for only the nearest people (namely his friends, Dumbledore, and Headmaster Moore) to hear. May smiled up at him, winking.
"I was wondering if you ever would come up here." She murmured. Then her eyes landed on Harry, and he saw her visibly catch her breath.
"You must be Harry." She whispered, a hand fluttering to her throat. Harry nodded wordlessly, and May's smile returned, though a bit shakily.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you. My, how you look like your father...but you have Lily's eyes." May murmured. Harry smiled.
"So people tell me." He let his eyes flicker over to Dumbledore, and she grinned in understanding.
"Well, I certainly hope that you don't have his attitude, or you'll have an even harder time winning a girl than he did!" She laughed. Harry rolled his eyes but smiled.
"Goodnight, May. We'll see you in the morning." Rose murmured, leaning over and kissing May's cheek. May smiled up at her and nodded.
"May we go now, Professor?" Neville asked, turning his eyes to Dumbledore, who nodded silently. Neville let out a low whoop, and raced down the isle.
"Last one back to the common room is a rotten egg!" He called back, causing Jackson, Shane, and Harry to race after him, leaving four laughing girls behind them.
"Hey Ginny. How would you like to visit our rooms?"
This was the last thing Harry heard before he bolted out of the Great Hall with the other boys.
~*~*~*~
"I WON!!! HEHEHEHEHEHEHE!!!" Jackson laughed, pointing at Shane, who was laying on the ground, panting. They had just burst into the Gryffindor common room, to find it empty, save for Ron and Hermione.
"Your fellow students went to see their rooms." Hermione informed them, looking up from her book. Ron was already pelting questions at Jackson, and didn't pay any attention to her comment.
"Hey, guys? How about we go into our rooms, so no one will bother us?" Shane suggested. Ron, Ginny, and Hermione looked confused, but followed Harry and the 'family' into the wall.
"BLOODY HELL!"
Harry smirked at Ron's aghast comment as the other boy entered the 'living room', as Jackson called it. Though it was only lit by firelight and candlelight now, it was still as magnificent as ever, and Hermione and Ginny looked around in mixed awe and envy.
"A present from Shirah's mom...don't ask." Jackson sighed, when Ron's mouth opened. He shut it again and looked around.
"Come on! Have a seat!" Shane called, from the huge yellow cushion he had settled himself on.
"Wait! You still have your robes on." Hermione reminded them. Jackson looked down at himself, surprised.
"Oh, yeah. I forgot about that." He muttered, tearing off his robe and finally revealing his face. Ron and Hermione gaped at him, while Ginny stared.
"He really does look like his dad." She murmured to Harry, who nodded. Jackson plopped down on a red cushion, then motioned for Ron to take the one next to him. Shirah and Raya took off their cloaks, then Shane. Finally Rose revealed her face once more, and Harry noticed that once again, Ron and Hermione seemed speechless.
They had seen pictures of his parents, and obviously saw the resemblance between Rose and Lily.
"So you get your own rooms?" Hermione asked, coming out of her stupor first. Rose nodded.
"We do. I suppose you will call us spoiled, and we are, in a way. We are a much more...indulged than a lot of the students at the school..." Her soft voice trailed away.
"Why?" Ron asked, his blue eyes curious.
"Because! We're special." Jackson crowed, grinning. Shane smacked him upside the head.
"No! Well...sort of...we're privileged." He filled in.
"You see, being as the Headmaster is my great-uncle, I was given private rooms, since I don't like crowds." Raya explained, looking at her hands.
"And since May teaches there, and she is friends with not only the Headmaster, but also most of Raya's family, we were given the opportunity to stay in the rooms with Raya." Rose went on.
"And since our parents are just snobby, and decided their children deserved the best, they asked for us to have private rooms too." Shirah informed them in a bored voice. Jackson wrinkled his nose.
"No, they are royalty. All royalty is treated that way." He sniffed. Hermione sat still, looking like she wanted to laugh, but also wanted to knock Jackson unconscious.
"Royalty?" Ron asked, interested.
"Long story. Shortened version, Shirah's mother is a princess, Shane's father is Shirah's mother's brother. If you don't get that, too bad." Neville filled in. Ron chuckled while Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Fine. How did you meet?" Ginny asked, trying to steer the conversation into clearer waters. It worked.
"Well, Rose and I met Neville (he was staying in America at the time) and Raya when we were all three and four. When Neville turned five, they started staying at the school during the summers, like us, and we got to know each other. When we were eight (the girls were seven), we met Shane and Shirah on the beach one day, and got to know them. We kept in touch, and then when we turned eleven, Shane and I started to go to school together. A year later, Rose, Shirah, and Raya all started going there as well. Neville would visit occasionally, and bada-bing-bada-boom, enter the 'Family' otherwise known as the second generation Marauders!"
Jackson went on to tell them about the patron animal thing (which Ron was still confused about), and when they showed interest in knowing their animals, Jackson decided to let them discover their animal themselves. They got out the book, and it was handed to Ron.
"A fox." Ron's voice was breathy with wonder, as he handed the book to Hermione absently. She looked at it waveringly, then opened it.
"An otter! Like my Patronus." She murmured, handing the book to Ginny. Ginny grinned and eagerly opened the book, but her smile slipped as the hind came into view.
"I'm a deer? Like Harry?" She asked in disbelief. Harry smiled.
"I am a *Stag*, Gin. You are a *hind* or doe, the female version." He informed her. Ginny's smile returned, though she still looked a bit stricken.
"So...I am a little like you?" She asked hesitantly. This time, it was Rose who answered.
"Ginny, you are more like Harry than you know. In so many ways." The emerald-eyed girl murmured, smiling slightly. Ginny blushed a little, looking at her hands, while Harry felt confusion fill him at his sister's words. He would have to ask her later what she had meant.
"We had best be going to bed. We've got a long day tomorrow." Hermione reminded them. All the boy's groaned while the girls wrinkled their noses.
"Do we have to?" Jackson whined, sinking lower into his cushion. Hermione gave him a glare that made him turn pale and get up.
"All right! Time for bed." With this, the boy dashed into his room and slammed the door, causing Hermione to throw a sly wink at her friends.
"Goodnight." She trilled, grabbing Ron's arm, then Harry's, and dragging them towards the door. Rose giggled.
"Goodnight, Harry! Sweet dreams!" She called after them. Ginny, who was still reclining on the back-less couch that she had settled on, laughed but didn't move from her spot. As Hermione dragged him out of the room, Harry caught a glimpse of Neville and Shane rolling their eyes at Hermione's exuberance.
After the feeling of almost-wet had left him, and the common room once again came into sight, Harry blinked as he saw that most of the Gryffindors were still awake. In fact, the moment that Ron, Hermione, and Harry entered the room, all eyes were on them.
"Are they in there?" Asked Dean in an awed voice. Harry sighed and rolled his eyes. All of the Gryffindors were waiting eagerly for his answer.
"A few of them. Most of them are in another room." He muttered. Just then, the wall on the opposite side of the room warped, and a small figure emerged under shocked looks.
It was a small girl, with long dark hair that was not quite black, and shy amber eyes that became even shyer when she realized that she was the center of attention. Hands clasped tightly in front of her, her gaze wavered over them until it fell on Harry. A look of immense relief filled her face, and a shy, pretty smile appeared on her lips. Silently she walked forward, still looking timid.
"Excuse me, but are you Harry Potter?" She whispered hesitantly, a slightly nervous tone in her voice.
"I...guess." He muttered, trying not to feel annoyed at her obvious curiosity. The girl's face lit up even more.
"Oh, good. Would you be so kind as to tell me where Rayana's room is?" She asked, her voice becoming more sure. Harry was suddenly struck by the realization that this must be Victoria, Raya's little sister, and also the youngest member of their Quidditch team. He smiled and was about to answer, when Neville came through the same wall that the trio had just exited.
"It's all right, Tori. Raya's in here." Neville called, using one of Victoria's nicknames. Victoria shot him a smile, and then thanked Harry quickly before disappearing behind the wall. Neville grinned, never noticing that he was now the center of attention.
"You know her?!" Came Lavender's shriek. Neville jumped and turned to face her, face red.
"Um...yes. She's my cousin..." He trailed off, giving no further explanation. Harry knew why. If he did, there was a chance that someone would question about what side of the family she was from, which would lead to questions about Neville's more personal and painful life.
"YOU'RE RELATED TO A SALEM STUDENT?"
"An American?!"
"Cool!"
Neville blanched as all these comments were shot at him, and he flinched as Parvati grabbed his arm once again.
"She is so sweet, Neville. It must run in your family!" She squealed, causing Neville to roll his eyes behind her back.
"Come on. We should go to bed." Hermione grumbled, stalking towards the staircase. Ron, Harry, and Neville looked after her, and then with a glance at each other, they too, dashed up the stairs to their dorm, leaving everyone in the common room staring after them in confusion.
~*~*~*~
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 13.
~*~*~*~
Harry, Neville, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny quickly walked to the Great Hall, their eyes wide. Everything from the biggest room, to the smallest nook seemed to have been enlarged for their guests arrival. Sure, there were certainly a lot of them, but did the castle really need to be expanded *this* much?
Apparently so. Because when the group stepped into the Great Hall, they stopped short, unable to say anything. The room was *enormous*, to say the least. It had been highly elongated, and the tables were also bigger. Several fireplaces lined the Hall, now, keeping the room warm.
"Come on." Hermione urged, motioning to where their normal seats would have been. the group sat, staring around themselves in amazement, while the rest of the school filed in. Once everyone was seated, they looked to the head table for instructions.
"Now. Before the other schools are seated, I want to make one thing clear. These schools will not only be sitting at their assigned table for the rest of the year, they will also be staying in that house for the time being. After the feast, the two sixth-year Prefects from each house will be expected to lead their assigned school, to the common rooms, before any of you Hogwarts students are allowed to leave." McGonagle looked around as an excited murmur ran through the room. Her eyes met with Harry's, apparently warning him not to say anything about the change with *his* particular group of friends.
"The schools will be in the following houses: Durmstrang will be with Slytherin. Beuxbatons with Ravenclaw, Dormouff with Hufflepuff, and Salem with Gryffindor. Any questions that you may have, may be asked at a later time." McGonagle sat down, and motioned at the doors. They swung open and the Hogwarts students leaned forward eagerly, to catch a first glimpse of the new arrivals.
The Beuxbatons entered first, their silk wrappings obviously not enough to keep them very warm. Next came Durmstrang, their furs looking rather uncomfortable in the quickly warming room.
The Dormouff students were next. Harry watched with interest as they filed in pertly, their rich-looking robes hiding most of their features from view. Lavender had been right in saying that they had gold on them. Most of their robes were lined in the stuff, while the fabric was red and gold tones.
Harry watched eagerly for the next group, and was not disappointed. In the dimness of the grounds, he had been unable to see the apparel of the Salem students, but now he smiled as a slew of hooded figures walked into the room and began to seat themselves at the Gryffindor table. Some of the students were in sparkling, light blue robes that reflected the candlelight of the room, while others were in dark blue robes, though all were hooded.
Then one of the figures in a light blue robe took the empty seat between Harry and Neville. Another sat on Neville's other side, while a figure in dark blue sat next to Ginny, who was across from Harry. Two more figures, one in light blue, another in dark blue, sat across from Neville, and Harry had to stifle a grin.
"Hello, Rose." Neville murmured in a low voice, that only Harry and the figure next to him could hear. The blue-clad figure nodded slowly at Neville, allowing the hood to slip down just enough to reveal a lock of shining red hair. Harry felt a tiny hand rest over his own and squeeze it, and he smiled. He realized that since Rose was next to him, it must be Raya who was on Neville's other side. Considering that, Harry deducted that Jackson was the dark-blue figure across from Rose, Shirah was next, then Shane.
Harry grinned as he felt someone stomping on his foot, telling him that Jackson was well aware of his presence. Harry wrinkled his nose in Jackson's direction, but didn't have enough time to kick back, because the Great Hall's doors opened wide once more, allowing a group of older people through, lead by the one and only Professor Albus Dumbledore.
"That's May." Rose's soft whisper came, as Harry's eyes rested on a figure clad in light-blue robes walking beside the man Harry assumed was the Headmaster of Salem Academy.
"Students, teachers, honored guests, I welcome you to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I hope that your stay will be comfortable, and your time here, memorable. But for now, I believe that you are all hungry, so I won't delay you any longer. Tuck in!" Dumbledore's voice boomed out.
"HEAR, HEAR!" Ron and several other boys shouted, grinning. Harry laughed as the food appeared, noting that Jackson had been one to join in Ron's chant.
"Harry?"
Harry looked up to see Ginny giving him a strange look. With a raised eyebrow, she slowly nodded to the boy on her left, and Harry smiled.
"Ginny, Ron, Hermione, Neville and I would like to introduce you to our friends." At Harry's words, Neville grinned and rolled his eyes.
"To my right you see Rose McBride, whom I am sure you have all heard about." Harry started in an exaggerated voice.
"To *my* right, you will see Rayana Moore, niece of Professor Hendreckson and grand-niece of Headmaster Moore. Not to mention, my cousin." At Neville's statement, Harry jumped. It had never occurred to him that Raya could be related to the Headmaster of Salem Academy as well!
"Across from Rose is the one and only Jackson McBride, and next to him is Shirah Wilcox, cousin of Shane Biederon whom is on her other side." Harry finished. Ginny, Ron, and Hermione looked stunned for a moment, then they managed to greet the new people. Ginny seemed especially keen on meeting Rose...obviously.
"Ginny Weasley, how nice to meet you at last." Rose murmured. Ginny smiled.
"Nice to meet you, too." She returned.
"Is it true that you're starting the Marauders up again?" Ron asked Jackson eagerly. This led Jackson and Shane to zealously nod and start to explain about their plans. Ron listened in obvious rapture, and Harry knew that Jackson and Shane had just found another member of the group. Hermione was already in a conversation with Ginny, Rose, Shirah and Raya about the 'Family', and Harry himself was soon caught up in helping explain Ron's patron animal to him.
None of them seemed to notice that none of the Salem Academy students had taken off their hoods yet, thus hiding their faces from the curious eyes that were looking them over.
~*~*~*~
"...Prefects, would you kindly lead your assigned school to your common rooms, now?" Dumbledore asked, finishing his speech. Harry, who had already explained about the 'special' situation to his friends, watched as Ron and Hermione led the other Salem students away. Harry noticed that there were several curious glances towards the remaining Salem students, but no one dared to ask why they were staying behind.
"Come with us, Harry!" Rose whispered, standing up and pulling Harry to his feet. Harry looked at her in confusion, but relaxed as she began to lead him to the head table.
"We have to say 'goodnight' to May." Rose informed him, as he followed. Harry chose to ignore the curious looks he got from his schoolmates, and paid more attention to the fact that Jackson, Shirah, Shane, Neville, Raya, and Ginny were all coming up behind them, Ginny looking a bit nervous. As they neared the blue-clad woman on the right of Dumbledore, she finally lifted her hood, and Harry caught his breath.
May McBride-Black was easily one of the most gorgeous women he had ever met. She had long, silky blonde hair that fell like sunlight over her shoulders, and sparkling blue eyes that were clearer than water. She had pale ivory skin with rosy tones in it, and she was rather slim.
"We just wanted to say goodnight, mom." Jackson piped up, though he kept his voice soft enough for only the nearest people (namely his friends, Dumbledore, and Headmaster Moore) to hear. May smiled up at him, winking.
"I was wondering if you ever would come up here." She murmured. Then her eyes landed on Harry, and he saw her visibly catch her breath.
"You must be Harry." She whispered, a hand fluttering to her throat. Harry nodded wordlessly, and May's smile returned, though a bit shakily.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you. My, how you look like your father...but you have Lily's eyes." May murmured. Harry smiled.
"So people tell me." He let his eyes flicker over to Dumbledore, and she grinned in understanding.
"Well, I certainly hope that you don't have his attitude, or you'll have an even harder time winning a girl than he did!" She laughed. Harry rolled his eyes but smiled.
"Goodnight, May. We'll see you in the morning." Rose murmured, leaning over and kissing May's cheek. May smiled up at her and nodded.
"May we go now, Professor?" Neville asked, turning his eyes to Dumbledore, who nodded silently. Neville let out a low whoop, and raced down the isle.
"Last one back to the common room is a rotten egg!" He called back, causing Jackson, Shane, and Harry to race after him, leaving four laughing girls behind them.
"Hey Ginny. How would you like to visit our rooms?"
This was the last thing Harry heard before he bolted out of the Great Hall with the other boys.
~*~*~*~
"I WON!!! HEHEHEHEHEHEHE!!!" Jackson laughed, pointing at Shane, who was laying on the ground, panting. They had just burst into the Gryffindor common room, to find it empty, save for Ron and Hermione.
"Your fellow students went to see their rooms." Hermione informed them, looking up from her book. Ron was already pelting questions at Jackson, and didn't pay any attention to her comment.
"Hey, guys? How about we go into our rooms, so no one will bother us?" Shane suggested. Ron, Ginny, and Hermione looked confused, but followed Harry and the 'family' into the wall.
"BLOODY HELL!"
Harry smirked at Ron's aghast comment as the other boy entered the 'living room', as Jackson called it. Though it was only lit by firelight and candlelight now, it was still as magnificent as ever, and Hermione and Ginny looked around in mixed awe and envy.
"A present from Shirah's mom...don't ask." Jackson sighed, when Ron's mouth opened. He shut it again and looked around.
"Come on! Have a seat!" Shane called, from the huge yellow cushion he had settled himself on.
"Wait! You still have your robes on." Hermione reminded them. Jackson looked down at himself, surprised.
"Oh, yeah. I forgot about that." He muttered, tearing off his robe and finally revealing his face. Ron and Hermione gaped at him, while Ginny stared.
"He really does look like his dad." She murmured to Harry, who nodded. Jackson plopped down on a red cushion, then motioned for Ron to take the one next to him. Shirah and Raya took off their cloaks, then Shane. Finally Rose revealed her face once more, and Harry noticed that once again, Ron and Hermione seemed speechless.
They had seen pictures of his parents, and obviously saw the resemblance between Rose and Lily.
"So you get your own rooms?" Hermione asked, coming out of her stupor first. Rose nodded.
"We do. I suppose you will call us spoiled, and we are, in a way. We are a much more...indulged than a lot of the students at the school..." Her soft voice trailed away.
"Why?" Ron asked, his blue eyes curious.
"Because! We're special." Jackson crowed, grinning. Shane smacked him upside the head.
"No! Well...sort of...we're privileged." He filled in.
"You see, being as the Headmaster is my great-uncle, I was given private rooms, since I don't like crowds." Raya explained, looking at her hands.
"And since May teaches there, and she is friends with not only the Headmaster, but also most of Raya's family, we were given the opportunity to stay in the rooms with Raya." Rose went on.
"And since our parents are just snobby, and decided their children deserved the best, they asked for us to have private rooms too." Shirah informed them in a bored voice. Jackson wrinkled his nose.
"No, they are royalty. All royalty is treated that way." He sniffed. Hermione sat still, looking like she wanted to laugh, but also wanted to knock Jackson unconscious.
"Royalty?" Ron asked, interested.
"Long story. Shortened version, Shirah's mother is a princess, Shane's father is Shirah's mother's brother. If you don't get that, too bad." Neville filled in. Ron chuckled while Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"Fine. How did you meet?" Ginny asked, trying to steer the conversation into clearer waters. It worked.
"Well, Rose and I met Neville (he was staying in America at the time) and Raya when we were all three and four. When Neville turned five, they started staying at the school during the summers, like us, and we got to know each other. When we were eight (the girls were seven), we met Shane and Shirah on the beach one day, and got to know them. We kept in touch, and then when we turned eleven, Shane and I started to go to school together. A year later, Rose, Shirah, and Raya all started going there as well. Neville would visit occasionally, and bada-bing-bada-boom, enter the 'Family' otherwise known as the second generation Marauders!"
Jackson went on to tell them about the patron animal thing (which Ron was still confused about), and when they showed interest in knowing their animals, Jackson decided to let them discover their animal themselves. They got out the book, and it was handed to Ron.
"A fox." Ron's voice was breathy with wonder, as he handed the book to Hermione absently. She looked at it waveringly, then opened it.
"An otter! Like my Patronus." She murmured, handing the book to Ginny. Ginny grinned and eagerly opened the book, but her smile slipped as the hind came into view.
"I'm a deer? Like Harry?" She asked in disbelief. Harry smiled.
"I am a *Stag*, Gin. You are a *hind* or doe, the female version." He informed her. Ginny's smile returned, though she still looked a bit stricken.
"So...I am a little like you?" She asked hesitantly. This time, it was Rose who answered.
"Ginny, you are more like Harry than you know. In so many ways." The emerald-eyed girl murmured, smiling slightly. Ginny blushed a little, looking at her hands, while Harry felt confusion fill him at his sister's words. He would have to ask her later what she had meant.
"We had best be going to bed. We've got a long day tomorrow." Hermione reminded them. All the boy's groaned while the girls wrinkled their noses.
"Do we have to?" Jackson whined, sinking lower into his cushion. Hermione gave him a glare that made him turn pale and get up.
"All right! Time for bed." With this, the boy dashed into his room and slammed the door, causing Hermione to throw a sly wink at her friends.
"Goodnight." She trilled, grabbing Ron's arm, then Harry's, and dragging them towards the door. Rose giggled.
"Goodnight, Harry! Sweet dreams!" She called after them. Ginny, who was still reclining on the back-less couch that she had settled on, laughed but didn't move from her spot. As Hermione dragged him out of the room, Harry caught a glimpse of Neville and Shane rolling their eyes at Hermione's exuberance.
After the feeling of almost-wet had left him, and the common room once again came into sight, Harry blinked as he saw that most of the Gryffindors were still awake. In fact, the moment that Ron, Hermione, and Harry entered the room, all eyes were on them.
"Are they in there?" Asked Dean in an awed voice. Harry sighed and rolled his eyes. All of the Gryffindors were waiting eagerly for his answer.
"A few of them. Most of them are in another room." He muttered. Just then, the wall on the opposite side of the room warped, and a small figure emerged under shocked looks.
It was a small girl, with long dark hair that was not quite black, and shy amber eyes that became even shyer when she realized that she was the center of attention. Hands clasped tightly in front of her, her gaze wavered over them until it fell on Harry. A look of immense relief filled her face, and a shy, pretty smile appeared on her lips. Silently she walked forward, still looking timid.
"Excuse me, but are you Harry Potter?" She whispered hesitantly, a slightly nervous tone in her voice.
"I...guess." He muttered, trying not to feel annoyed at her obvious curiosity. The girl's face lit up even more.
"Oh, good. Would you be so kind as to tell me where Rayana's room is?" She asked, her voice becoming more sure. Harry was suddenly struck by the realization that this must be Victoria, Raya's little sister, and also the youngest member of their Quidditch team. He smiled and was about to answer, when Neville came through the same wall that the trio had just exited.
"It's all right, Tori. Raya's in here." Neville called, using one of Victoria's nicknames. Victoria shot him a smile, and then thanked Harry quickly before disappearing behind the wall. Neville grinned, never noticing that he was now the center of attention.
"You know her?!" Came Lavender's shriek. Neville jumped and turned to face her, face red.
"Um...yes. She's my cousin..." He trailed off, giving no further explanation. Harry knew why. If he did, there was a chance that someone would question about what side of the family she was from, which would lead to questions about Neville's more personal and painful life.
"YOU'RE RELATED TO A SALEM STUDENT?"
"An American?!"
"Cool!"
Neville blanched as all these comments were shot at him, and he flinched as Parvati grabbed his arm once again.
"She is so sweet, Neville. It must run in your family!" She squealed, causing Neville to roll his eyes behind her back.
"Come on. We should go to bed." Hermione grumbled, stalking towards the staircase. Ron, Harry, and Neville looked after her, and then with a glance at each other, they too, dashed up the stairs to their dorm, leaving everyone in the common room staring after them in confusion.
~*~*~*~