Chapter One
A.N.- Okay, I know I was extremely hard on myself during the Prologue. It's just how I am. Now, on with the story…
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I own the first five books, but I DON'T own him or anything from them! J.K. Rowling does. Not me…Her!
Joscelind Le Fay stared out into the vast English horizon. Today was the first of September, and she was on her way to her sixth year of school. This was her second time upon riding the scarlet steam engine, but it's beauty would forever amaze her. Never in her life had she seen such a beautiful train. It had an endless amount of windows, it would seem, and she was perhaps the only one to marvel it, aside from a few Muggle-born first years.
The lovely wooden compartment was empty, aside from herself, but she didn't mind the least bit. Every since the accident, Joscelind had rather liked being alone.
The young witch came from her thoughts long enough to push some of her strawberry blonde, shoulder length hair out of her face and tuck it impatiently behind her left ear.
It was beginning to get dark outside, so she looked at her reflection in the smooth glass window.
Aside from her light red hair, she had deep sapphire blue eyes and light brown freckles splashed across her face and some were even sported on her shoulders, but no one could see them. Her skin was very pale, but it wasn't from lack of sunlight.
She had worked the entirety of her summer holiday out in her Aunt Alethea's garden, pulling up weeds, spreading manure, and planting all sorts of bulbs and seeds.
Her Aunt Alethea and Uncle Cadwallader were her legal guardians, but they treated Joscelind like a house-elf, sometimes even worse than Tipsy. Their spoiled daughter, Mora, was an insufferable brat, and was constantly blaming things on her.
Mora and Joscelind were of the same age, borne only months apart, and in the same House at school. They looked very much alike, except Mora had flawless milky white skin (with no freckles, she would regularly brag to Joscelind) and straight blonde hair compared to Joscelind's wavy locks.
Aunt Alethea and Joscelind's mum, Ophelia, were twins. Had been twins.
Joscelind had never met any of her mum's family until recently, because most of them were either deceased or lived in other countries. But, from the pictures her mum had shown her while she was growing up, Joscelind could tell her mum and Aunt Alethea had been identical.
Mora had managed to get all of her mum's looks ( slender build, soft rounded face, delicate hands, and lips that were made for pouting), just like Joscelind, except for her hair.
Her father, Philander, had had flaming red hair. Mora had teased her relentlessly all of the summer holidays because of her oddly mixed hair color. Joscelind had simply let Mora's words fly right by her; she loved her hair because it reminded her of her father.
With a jolt, Joscelind felt the train stop. Deciding it would be best to beat the crowd, she quickly stood up and gazed at her reflection again. She was startled to find that she had been crying, for she hadn't felt a single tear slip down her soft cheeks as she had been reflecting on the past. She quickly wiped them away with the soft black sleeve of her robes and walked off of the train, careful not to bump into anyone. It wasn't exactly like rocket science, since she was very graceful, like her mother.
Joscelind heard her dimwitted cousin giggling from somewhere behind her, over something her latest boyfriend had said. This caused her to quicken her pace, for she didn't wish to be stuck in a small carriage with her cousin and undoubtedly handsome boyfriend. The horseless carriages, to some, were lined up on the dry cobblestone pavement in front of the Hogsmeade Station. Joscelind reached out and petted both of the thestrals that were reined to the carriage before climbing into the musty interior. It was relatively gloomy inside of the carriages, the only light source coming from the glowing moon and sparkling stars.
She was gearing up for another ride in silence, when the carriage opened and a girl of around the same age and height clamored in, slamming the door shut.
She had thick shoulder length red haired, opposed to Joscelind's somewhat thinner hair, almond shaped green eyes that dared the nearest spectator to defy her, and confidence practically dripped off of her like a waterfall.
She was Lily Evans, smartest girl in their year and destined to be Head Girl. That was if she didn't hex James Potter into oblivion and get expelled first.
" Hullo, Joscelind." she said in a rather cheerful voice that was reserved for everyone, but James.
" Hullo, Lily." Joscelind returned the greeting. " How was your summer?"
It was easy for Joscelind to hold a conversation with Lily. After all, she was the first person at Hogwarts to befriend her. They got along famously, though they were from different Houses.
" Dreadful I had to listen to Petunia rant about my being a witch. Again. Then, James Potter," she cringed as she said the name, " kept bombarding me with letters, so I sent him a Howler. You know, the usual. So, how was yours?"
" I worked in my aunt's garden while listening to Mora go on and on about her lovely new boyfriend. I haven't a clue of who he is because she never once mention his name."
" I wonder who he is? Oh, well, he mustn't be that important." Lily shrugged as the carriage neared the winged boar adorned gates. " So, which classes are you taking?"
" I've been accepted into my N.E.W.T. Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, and Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, though, I'm still going to take Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, and Muggle Studies. I aced all of my O.W.L.s. What about you?"
" Pretty much the same, except instead of Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle Studies, I'm taking Arithmancy and Divination. I passed my exams with flying colors, as my mum would say."
Lily, whom was Muggle-born, didn't even need to take Muggle Studies. After all, she'd lived with them for all of her life. What more could she learn?
The carriage stopped in front of the stone steps, and both girls hurried out of it.
They walked up the steps and walked up to the huge oak doors, with the one on the left being held open by a young man with very untidy black hair and glasses.
" Hi, Evans." he said in a pleasant deep voice.
" Give it up, Potter." Lily said with an exasperated sigh. " I thought I told you I wouldn't go out with you until pigs could fly."
" That could happen."
Lily stalked past him and into the castle, headed for the Great Hall.
" I think you should give up on her, mate." a friend of his with dark hair said.
" I suppose." James said without much commitment. " Who's that?"
James was pointing rather indiscreetly at the girl that had followed an ill-tempered Lily into the castle.
" I haven't a clue. She kind of looks like Mora." the other boy shrugged. " Hey, Moony, do you know that girl?"
A light brown haired boy had joined them, his prefect badge shinning in the moonlight. He gave James a look that simply said ' Pointing is rude.' before looking around them.
" Oh, that's Joscelind Le Fay. She's the one from Greece who's parents were killed in a raid against the Greek Ministry of Magic." he answered simply, not wanting to sound too witty. Goodness only knew that Sirius and James were only listening to every other word. " I thought you would know all of that, since you're dating her cousin, Sirius."
Sirius Black hated to be talked down to by anyone, least of all Remus Lupin. Perhaps it was just the ego he had been subjected to growing up, being from a prominent, if somewhat dark, Pureblood family.
" I never saw her, Remus." Sirius retorted.
" Come on, we should get into the Hall." James said as he ushered them into the vast stone castle.
Sirius normally lost his temper during arguments, and Remus wouldn't normally stop until he had won. Thus, this could go on for days, and James wasn't in the mood to listen to it. Especially after the fiasco in their fourth year, when the two had argued for almost two weeks over the properties of dragon's blood.
" Where's Wormtail?" Sirius asked casually as he sat down at the Gryffindor table.
His hair fell down over his brown eyes with a casual elegance that nobody else could ever master. Just this simple gesture had stopped a group of third year girls in their tracks to their table.
" No idea." Remus answered promptly, trying to ignore the stares the group was now receiving, thanks to Sirius. " I didn't see him anywhere on the train, and I had to patrol all of the compartments."
" Maybe he's a little late." James suggested.
Sirius just shrugged. He'd already voiced his opinion about how if anyone would turn traitorous, it would be that little rat. Ironically, that was exactly what Peter Pettigrew's Animagus form was.
The Great Hall suddenly went silent, for Albus Dumbledore, greatest Headmaster in Hogwarts history, had stood up and was smiling. Sure, he was old and looked somewhat feeble, but just his looks demanded respect. And respect he got. He peered at all of his students through his half-moon spectacles with twinkling blue eyes that radiated so much that the farthest person in the back of the Great Hall could see them with clarity.
" Welcome, students, old and new. Before we start the Sorting ceremony, I would like to inform you all that Mr. Filch has compiled a list of some two hundred and fifty items that are forbidden inside the castle this year. This list can be viewed in Mr. Filch's office. Now, let the Sorting begin!"
Professor McGonagall led a long line of first year students up to the front of the staff table. She placed a four legged stool in front of the teacher's table and placed an extremely old, dirty, and patched wizard's hat upon it.
The Deputy Headmistress and head of Gryffindor House was very stern looking witch, who wore a tall pointed hat and robes that had long straight sleeves and a hem that reached her ankles.
After the Sorting Hat had sung it's song ( which was different every year, and delighted students both new and old) and everyone applauded loudly, Professor McGonagall unrolled a large piece of yellowish parchment and cleared her throat.
" When I call your name, you are to sit on the stool and put the hat on." she said, grasping everyone's attention. " Allen, Laurel."
The sorting continued all the way to Zaroff, Carl. Each House table had considerably more students now, with Gryffindor and Slytherin having slightly more than Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. As soon as the last first year had sat down at the Ravenclaw table, Dumbledore stood up again.
The Hall was instantly quiet, everyone waiting for their Headmaster's words of wisdom.
" Ah, yes. Before the feast begins, I have a message for the new year: roll up."
The Hall was soon filled with the clanking of silverware and talking.
Joscelind ate in silence, listening to Mora talk to her friend, Gloria Clemmens.
" Sirius is so handsome." Gloria cooed as if she were talking to a baby.
Gloria, by all means, should've been sorted into a different House. The only real brains she had revolved around boys. Just by hearing her talk, you would assume she was a blonde. You would be wrong. She was sure to put all brunettes to shame, with her bimbo like personality. She wore her dark brown hair waist length, mascara coated her eyelashes that protected her deep brown eyes, and she was relatively short at only 4'10.
" I know." Mora agreed as she daintily wiped the corner of her mouth with a white napkin. " Too bad he's not in Ravenclaw. I'll hardly have any classes with him because he isn't taking Divination or History of Magic. And he doesn't like the Ancient Ruins or Arithmancy, so he won't be in those. But, at least we'll have Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, and Defense Against the Dark Arts together."
Joscelind wanted to laugh.
Mora didn't keep one guy for more than a week after school started, so why should she complain about not being in the same classes? Of course, she had defied all of her rules. She had been dating Sirius for a few months now.
" Josc, I asked if you were taking the same classes as me." Mora said impatiently as Joscelind unfortunately returned to reality.
'Why must she always act so nice to me when we're in public?' Joscelind thought as she speared a piece of her pork chop and placed it into her mouth. ' Why can't she just ignore me like the rest of the family?'
" Oh, no. I'm taking Muggle Studies, Care of Magical Creatures, and Herbology." she replied after swallowing her food.
Those lessons in etiquette had actually paid off.
" Just what are you studying to be?" Mora asked with a frown.
" An Auror." Joscelind replied impatiently. " Did you ignore everything I said during the holidays? You only asked me every other day. And I told you every time."
" Well, you don't have to be so-"
Dumbledore had stood up once more, demanding silence.
Which was great, if you asked Joscelind. She didn't fancy another argument with her cousin.
" Now that we have our stomachs full, I have a few more start-of-term announcements to give to you. As always, first years should make note that the Forbidden Forest is off limits to all pupils. Hence it's name. Of course, a few older students would do well to remember it as well." Dumbledore said as he glanced at the very distinguishable group sitting at the Gryffindor table. Peter Pettigrew had arrived a few moments before, making the group whole. " Also, magic is forbidden in the corridors between classes. And lastly, Quidditch trials will be held the second week of the term. Anyone who is interested in playing should contact Madame Hooch."
Everyone was just about to get up to go to their respective Houses, when Dumbledore raised his hands.
" And now, before we retire to bed, let us sing the school song!"
At this, some students groaned and most of the teachers frowned.
Dumbledore, however, ignored this or was simply oblivious to everyone's discontent at singing. He simply flicked his wand, and a long golden ribbon flew out of it, twisting itself into words, high above the table.
" Everyone, please pick your favorite tune!" Dumbledore happily shouted as everyone started to sing:
" Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees,
Our heads could do with filling
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
So teach us things worth knowing,
And bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot."
Everyone finished the song at different times; the first years faster for lack of not knowing it, and the seventh years somewhat slower, as if they wanted to cherish the moment even though they had resentfully began to sing it.
Out of everyone in the Hall, Dumbledore clapped the loudest.
" And now, bed. Off you trot!"
Though somewhat sleepily, the Great Hall again burst into loud noise as the prefects called for first years and the elder students began walking to their dorms, hardly able to wait for the moment they would reach their comfortable four poster beds.
A.N.- Yes, I did use some stuff from the first book…But, I'll even say it again: I don't own Harry Potter. So, please, don't sue me! J.K. Rowling owns it, and she is a far better writer than I will EVER be. Okay, now that that's over…Please, review! Later!