Summary: Harry receives a mysterious book from Lupin and it tells the intriguing tale of how his parents came to be together through the eyes of unlikely onlooker. Slightly, okay I lie, completely AU due to OOTP
A/N: Thankyou for reviewing. I really appreciate it. I have another chapter already written but it depends if you like this one that I post it. And if I do it will be next Friday as I have exams all this week. EEEEKKK!!! I have been in denial and living under a rock all this week trying to escape them. News flash! That ain't gonna happen. Oh wells enjoy and don't forget to review!
The week at the Potters passed quickly, I was recluse as usual reading, writing, and drawing. Adrian, Ebony and Steve however spent their time playing Quidditch and pranks with James, Sirius and Remus. At times I wished I could join them but decided against it, they don't need me.
When the time came for us to leave for our summer residence on Scotland's north east coast the Potters were sad to see us go and we all returned the feeling. The rest of the summer pasted quickly. Adrian and Ebony were training and preparing Steve who would be joining them this year in Auror training. All three will be in Auror training this year, as it's a family tradition for every member of our family to enter and complete Auror training in their 18th year.
The daughters are encouraged to as well, even if has nothing to do with the career they are going to pursue. Ebony wants to be a healer once she gets out of Auror training so she did a internship over the summer at St. Mungo's and the rest of the time was split between helping Steve train and her fiancé Thomas Wilks. Tom is her high school sweet heart, they fell in love in their sixth year at Beauxbatons and have been together ever since.
Yep that's right my brothers and sister are all only a year apart, making me even obscure as I am two years younger than Steve. But being the baby has its advantages; the older three have broken every rule imaginable. So I know what really gets up the parentals noses and how to keep the worst hidden.
I went to Diagon Alley today to get all my new schoolbooks. While I was there I met a very nice girl who is a fellow sixth year. I was being fitted for my school robes at Madam Malkin's Robes For All Occasions when the girl came in. She was very pretty with deep, red hair a little past her shoulders and startlingly green almond shaped eyes, a couple of inches taller than me also. While waiting for our robes we began talking"Hi, I'm Lily, Lily Evans" said the girl
"Aurora Millar" I said with a small smile, trying in vain to keep my French accent to a minimum
. "Oh, are you the French exchange student from Beauxbatons?"
"Yes, maybe you could help, I'm not really sure how things work over here" I wanted to have at least one ally at my new school.
Lily laughed a warm inviting laugh.
"Well I don't know how much help I'll be, you see I'm from a muggle family so I've only known about the magical world for five years now"
We spent the rest of the day together and I have to say Lily Evans is a truly amazing person. I didn't know someone could be so kind and pure but she is and reminds me very much of James. Just like him she is brave, loyal, trusting and trustworthy. But she has something more, Lily shows compassion and empathy for the people around her. I'm not saying James doesn't but Lily shows it more. I went home happy for the first time in months, years even.
This year was going to be different I could just tell.
In next to no time it was September the first and I was at King's Cross station. How in the name of all things holy do you get onto platform 9 ¾ ? At Beauxbatons we flewed to school so this train business was completely foreign to me.I had no idea how to get onto the platform and as both my parents had gone to work early and my siblings had gone to orientation I was on my own this morning. I saw a boy a Hogwarts crest on his trunk and asked him about it. He had greasy dark hair that curtained his face, unsuccessfully trying to hide his hook nose. His skin was extremely pale and a bit oily.
"Excuse me, can you tell how to get on to the platform 9 ¾?" I asked attentively "I am from Beauxbatons as an exchange student and don't really know how things work here" I explained quickly as he had given me a weird calculating look.
"Severus Snape" he said abruptly
"Aurora Millar"
"Here I'll show you, see the barrier between 9 and 10?" I nodded "you walk through it"
My eyes widened in realisation. Damn I'm an idiot.
"Oh, you mean like Piccadilly Lane in Paris? Thankyou very much, I'm sorry to bother you"
He smiled slightly "No problem" and disappeared in to the barrier.
I followed him and was met with a wonderful sight. A magnificent scarlet steam engine stood there billowing steam impatiently. Severus Snape was nowhere to be seen. I set off with my owl Aoifa (princess of the shadow lands) and trunk that was bewitched feather light.
Almost every compartment was full or contained people I didn't really want to be in the presence of. I finally came to the end of the train. Oh well this will have to do. There was only four people in there. I knocked and slid the door open. I immediately recognised James, Remus and Sirius, as they did me.
The fourth was a girl with platinum blonde hair pulled back into a messy bun, her fringe falling into her chocolate eyes.
"Excuse me, I hate to interrupt, but could I please share your compartment with you? All the others are full." Damn this French accent!
The girl immediately jumped up and welcomed me into the compartment.
"Of course, come in, I'm Belle Stone by the way" I liked this girl already; she was sweet and welcoming. I could tell she was a potentially good friend.
"It's lovely to met you Belle, I'm Aurora Millar" I said settling myself next to her, a smile twitching at my lips at the way the guys were staring.
"These" Belle said while jerking her head at James, Remus and Sirius "are the Marauders, James Potter, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black"
I raised an eyebrow at them 'the Marauders'? Interesting, but it would explain a lot.
"Yes, we've met before" Belle looked at me questioningly
"We met over the summer" Put in James answering Belle's unasked question. A confused look swept over my face 'Why hadn't he said anything about being cousins'
"So Aurora, how have you been?"
"Fine, thankyou James"
Remus stood up and excused himself, before leaving for his prefect meeting.
Belle and I talked for a while, she is extremely nice, she comes from a mixed family, her mum is a muggle. She has twin sisters in the year below us. They dropped in to say hello and give Belle her owl Whizzer. Not going to ask about the name. I couldn't help how accurate Belle was when she told me earlier that the twins were obsessed with James and Sirius. It took Belle a full half an hour to get rid of them.
Considering their looks all three of the boys must be sought after heart throbs. All around 6 foot, Sirius the tallest, followed by James in the middle and then Remus.
James has black hair that is completely unruly and sticks out everywhere, his skin is tanned (Lucky sod), athletic build and icy blue eyes. Basically a tanned male version of myself, except he is grinning like an idiot.
Remus has a sandy blonde mop of hair and amber eyes that look wild and remind me of the lone wolf. He's well built like James but he looks rather peaky at the moment. Hmmmm.
And of course Sirius. I must admit he is the hottest guy I have seen since arriving in Britain. Deeply tanned skin, dark hair that falls elegantly into his face, coal black that draw you in, tall, muscular – what more could a girl ask for? The original tall, dark and handsome stranger. I believe I may have developed a bit of a crush on Sirius. Okay it's an established crush just don't tell anybody.
Sirius and James are playing with a deck of exploding cards. Its entertaining to watch cos every now and then the cards in their hand s explode and singe their eyebrows. Sirius has just decided to make things interesting. They both have a pile of chocolate frogs next to them and have commenced betting.
Had I wanted to I could have had that chocolate off of them faster than you can say 'Quidditch'. I am quite a decent card player and have won a nice sum of money, of course under a different alias after sneaking out of the house and making my way to the local watering hole naturally.
Belle resumed reading her book and I looked out the window leaving my thoughts to themselves. That is how Remus found us. He looked around with a quick smile lingering on Belle before joining James and Sirius.
Half an hour later the compartment door opened for the fourth time revealing a pretty, red headed sixteen year old.
"Lily" squealed Belle, obviously overjoyed at seeing her friend
"Belle! How are you I didn't get to see you all sum..." Lily stopped short, physically stunned by her friends compartment company. She raised an eyebrow in the direction of the boys grinning at her. Lily hadn't seen me yet. I get the distinct feeling neither Belle nor Lily are particularly fond of the Marauders.
"Care to explain?" Lily asked
Belle glared at Sirius before launching into her explanation "Well you see, this lot" gesturing towards the boys who had adopted innocent looks, that looked anything but innocent "rudely barged their way in and this git" pointing at Sirius "flung himself on the seat before I could object then promptly asked me f I was a Slytherin"
Lily didn't look convinced so Belle continued
"You know what their like, once they get something into their heads they won't sod off till they claim their victory"
"I know what you mean" grunted Lily pointedly glaring at James, who just smirked in return.
Before anyone could say anything more I just had to ask.
"Am I missing something?" I asked from my corner.
Lily's eyes lit up in recognition and was about to say hello when Sirius jumped in with an answer.
"Yes, mademoiselle, you are and now that you ask it is my delightful duty to inform you. You see our dear Jamsie boy is completely head over heels for Ms Evans here, and she simply refuses to comply to his request for a date"
For this answer Sirius received a deathly look from James and an icy glare from Lily. I couldn't help but acquire an amused smile.
"Hi Lily, I take it this is the creep that's unofficially stalking you?"
"Yes, I told you he's a prat, but I forgot to warn you about his friends"
"Don't worry I can handle them. Any way did you enjoy the rest of the summer, with Petunia gone I mean?"
"Yes, actually I ended up enjoying myself I have so much to tell you and Belle"
The rest were just staring at us, Belle had an ecstatic smile on her face obviously happy we were friends. James looked like he was in shock.
"How do you know each other?" James finally asked
"We met in Diagon Alley the other week." Lily said flippantly
Lily and Belle were soon discussing their summers, I half listened to them, resuming my position by the window, while the guys resumed their card game. After a short while I was the only one awake, I was comforted by the rhythmic breathing and swaying of the carriage. I woke them all once we got to Hogsmeade station before joining the first years.
The castle was breath taking illuminated against the clear deep blue night and the romantic feeling of floating across the lakes fathomless depths caused butterflies in my stomach. I even got handed a water lily from the lakes edge by the giant squid.
But needless to say the moment was somewhat shattered when I realised I was sharing it with a bunch of snotty nosed eleven year olds. Call me a hopeless romantic but I think I should have been given a male escort to you know ...make sure I didn't get lost.
Professor McGonagall met us in the entrance hall. The first years followed McGonagall and left me to wait until I was announced by Dumbledore. This left me to explore my new surroundings. The castle is very homely, much like the summer residence we just moved into.
All of a sudden I heard the hall go completely silent, must be my introduction, I peeked through the slightly ajar doors. Dumbledore stood in front of the hall.
"Welcome everyone to a new year at Hogwarts, if you could fight your hunger for a few more a few more moments longer" he paused while Sirius 'fainted' due to lack of food before continuing "We have an exchange student from Beauxbatons who will be in their sixth year and needs to be sorted" the whole hall visibly tensed waiting
"Please Make welcome Ms Aurora Millar"
There's my cue.
I walked in to the great hall. Great?! The things bloody massive! It just mad, how could something be that grand? The ceiling was enchanted to reflect the sky outside. The stars winked at me encouragingly. I confidently made way to the front, the entire school gaping at me and muttering their musings. I may be shy but I am dreadfully proud, its one of my more prominent flaws.
I put the scabby old hat on and waited for it to decide my fate.
'My goodness child you are a difficult one aren't you? Loyal and true, courage a plenty, talent by the barrow loads and wit beyond measure, influence and power in levels most only dream about it even if you don't know it. What am I to do with you?'
'I don't know that's your job'
'Difficult... very difficult'
'Don't rush me!'
I was irritated to say the least. Stupid hat, it has brains doesn't it? It's been told how to place people. That's it I've had enough with this filthy piece of clothe.
"Make up your bloody mind before I hex you into oblivion" I growled out loud so that it would understand I'm mighty pissed. The hall gasped at my behaviour and Dumbledore just chuckled lightly
'Alright, don't get your knickers in a twist, gees impatient aren't we? But you get points for the entertainment value. I haven't seen them this worked up since Wendelin the Weird exposed herself on valentines one year! Okay ....'
"Gryffindor"
Nobody looked surprised as I walked over to the Gryffindor table and took a seat next to Lily with Belle opposite us and the Marauders were there to. Sirius was staring at me with wide eyes and mouth slightly open.
"Cheese and mice Rory, you just swore in front of the entire student body and threatened the sorting hat to within an inch of its life" Sirius said in an awed voice "You're my idol"
I just looked at him before returning to my dinner
"Lily can you pass the salt please? Oh and will you go out with me?"
"No Potter I will NOT go out with you, ask me once more and I won't be responsible for my actions" None the less she passed James the salt.
This conversation pulled me from my thoughts. Belle looked worried. Sirius and Remus looked like they knew what was coming next and feared their friend's safety.
"Aw, please? Come on, you know you want to – "
"No Potter, now get out of my face!"
"Just one date? That's all I as - "James never got to finish his pleading, Lily dumped a boat of gravy over his head before storming out of the hall. I just stared. James really needs to brush up on the art of flirting.
"Well, that went well" stated James
Can you say...DENIAL!!!
"Yeah" Sirius added sarcastically "Real well"
"At least prongs is all in one piece with no abnormal colourings, growths or anything else of that nature, right?" joined in Remus
"I'm fine...I think"
"You were asking for it that time James, your lucky she left when she did, Lily was telling me about some pretty nasty curses she learnt over the holidays, so do us all a favour and stay out of her way." Warned Belle before following Lily without so much as a second glance at any of us or her unfinished dinner.
I watched all this fascinated. I have no idea what just happened. At first I couldn't believe that James was a psycho stalker. But after that. He goes from a pretty decent guy to a complete prat in 0.2 seconds flat as soon as he sees Lily. Amazing. Bloody Amazing.
I finished my dinner quickly before loading a plate with all my favourite desserts. Strawberry tarts, Mississippi mud cake, pumpkin pie, apple crumble, chocolate mousse, butterscotch pudding, custard tarts and the survival food Chocolate! Okay so it was more like two plates maybe three, but it wasn't just for me!
The marauders watched me with interest. As I was about to leave James piped up.
"What's all that for?" he questioned
"Comfort food" I said simply before levitating the plates and bewitching them to follow me to Gryffindor Tower.
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