Love is the strangest thing

Author: Mercy

Pairings: JL SOC ROC

Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the Harry Potter World. That all belongs to the wonderful and extremely rich JK Rowling. I only own Mercy, Jackie, and anything else you don't recognize.

A/N: Okay, this is chapter 2! I am so sorry. I have Soccer Practice every day and I have ha NO time to do anything. Also, I just got my computer fixed, so that is one of the main reasons it took so long ot get this chapter up. I tried to make this chapter really long. You will learn a lot about the girls history and you will get through their first days of classes.

Chapter 2: Welcome Feast and the first day of Classes

Mercy and Lily ran off the train to get a good carriage, while Jackie lagged behind. Jackie was quieter than usual, and Lily and Mercy had noticed.

Jackie shuddered as she saw the thestrals. Her insides wormed as she tried to forget about them. She climbed into the carriage Lily and Mercy were already in. Her thoughts went back to that fateful day last June.

FLASHBACK

Jackie ran into her house. It was June 9th, the last day of term. She had already gotten off the train, and her Aunt Michelle (Mercy's mom) had given her a ride home.

"Mum! Dad! I'm home!" She yelled as she dropped her trunk into the foyer. No answer. "Mum? Dad?" Still no answer.

Jackie walked up the stairs. She heard some noise in her parents' bedroom and she opened the door quietly.

"AVADA KEDAVRA!" A deep voice shouted

Jackie screamed.

END FLASHBACK

Mercy looked at Jackie carefully. "Are you okay?"

Jackie shrugged. "Why wouldn't I be?' She said quietly, her face showing no emotion.

Lily shrugged. "You are all pale and shaking." She put a hand on Jackie's forehead. "No fever." She said worriedly. "Maybe you shouldn't go to the feast."

Mercy nodded. "You should visit Madam Pomfrey."

Jackie rolled her eyes. "Look, mommy. I am fine." She said teasing. "I know exactly what I'm doing. There is nothing wrong with me. I feel fine!"

Lily and Mercy looked at each other then sighed. "Fine." Lily said. "But if you don't look better after the feast I am taking you up to Madam Pomfrey's."

Jackie nodded. "Fine, you win, if I don't feel better after the feast, you can take me up to Madam Pomfrey."

The carriage stopped and Jackie looked at the thestrals one last time. She shivered and quickly walked into the Entrance Hall.

Lily and Mercy walked in behind her, talking quietly.

Suddenly, Lily tripped and fell flat on her face.

"Hello mudblood, blood traitors." Lucius Malfoy said silkily.

Jackie looked at Malfoy and sighed. "We haven't done anything to you. Please just leave us alone."

Malfoy smirked. "Well, Kearney, you haven't done anything to me, but there is something you could do." He licked his lips and grinned.

Jackie made a face. "No thanks." She said sourly.

Narcissa Black came up behind Lucius. "Lucius darling, we must be going, or we will lose our seats when they announce us as Head students."

Jackie snorted. "Yea, right. It is obviously going to be Lily and Remus."

Lily got off the ground. "And I suggest you leave before I hex you in to next week!" She said sweetly.

"Evans!" A gruff voice said behind her. "Are these slime balls bothering you?"

James Potter, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin were standing behind them.

"We could get rid of them for you, for a little something in return." Sirius said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively at Jackie.

Jackie made a face. "I would rather be with the Giant Squid."

James spotted Narcissa and grinned. "Narcissa! Who are you doing here today?"

Narcissa sneered. "Very funny Potter. You will get what is coming to you eventually. Come on Lucius." With that, Lucius and Narcissa stalked to the Slytherin table.

Mercy sighed. "We should get good seats. I don't want to end up sitting next to anyone I hate." She looked pointedly at the Marauders.

Jackie nodded. "Yea, let's get going."

Sirius smirked. "Hey, Jackie, remember, my bed is always open to you!"

Jackie looked at him in disgust and stalked away.

Mercy rolled her eyes. "Now look what you did, fool!" She ran after Jess.

James looked at Lily. "So, Evans, Hogsmeade this weekend?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "I would rather die." She snapped before catching up to Jackie and Mercy.

James sighed. "Why do I have the feeling that they don't like us?"

Sirius shrugged. "We are likeable guys."

Remus sighed. "You two just don't get it."

James raised an eyebrow. "What is there to get? We are hot and nice."

Remus rolled his eyes. "And don't forget modest." He muttered as they sat down at the Gryffindor table.

Peter came running in late and sat down. "Hey guys." He squeaked.

James looked at him annoyed. "Pete! Where have you been? You weren't on our carriage in Hogsmeade!"

Peter turned red. "I um missed the carriages and I fell asleep on the platform. McGonagall had to go and get me."

James sighed. "Nothing ever changes."

The Great Hall doors flew open, and in walked Professor McGonagall and the First Years.

Lily looked at them and raised an eyebrow. "Honestly, we were never that short, were we?"

Mercy looked at them in disgust. "I don't think so. I swear we were rather tall for out age."

Jackie rolled her eyes. "Yes we were. They just haven't hit puberty yet."

Lily shook her head. "No way."

Jackie sighed and watched as the sorting began with

Aardvark, Archie (Hufflepuff!)

Finally the sorting was over with Williams, William (Gryffindor!)

Professor Dumbledore stood up. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. A reminder to all new students, the forbidden forest is as its name suggests, forbidden. Some of our older students would do well to remember this as well." He threw a suspicious look towards the Gryffindor table, all of which started snickering quietly. "Anyway," Professor Dumbledore continued. "Mr. Filch, our caretaker, asked me to remind you that curfew is at 9 pm sharp, and that magic is not allowed in the corridors. Also, 56 new items have been added to the list of banned things from Hogsmeade and other shops, including frog mucus flavored cookies, extra stick bubble gum, and explodable thongs. There is a time where I can speak a great length, but it is not now, so eat up."

Sirius sighed. "Finally!" He said in relief. He started piling food onto his plate.

James rolled his eyes and started to eat also. "Weirdo."

Jackie was picking at her food, the thestrals still on her mind.

Mercy and Lily exchanged glances and sighed. This year was definitely going to be an interesting one.

When the feast ended, Professor Dumbledore stood up. "Now, for the announcement of Head Boy and Head Girl. As you know, this honor is very prestigious. This year it will be given to two Gryffindors. They are Lily Evans and James Potter."

The Great Hall started cheering as Lily stood up, blushing, and waved a little.

James, however, stood on a bench and took a deep bow.

Lily glared at him. "Show off." She muttered.

James blew her a kiss and Lily scowled. "First years follow me!" She called to all of the Gryffindor first years. "I will take you to the common room."

Jess and Mercy waved to her. "See you in the common room!" They called before walking upstairs with Sirius and Remus.

Lily looked at the first years and sighed. "Alright then, let's go up to the common room." She started leading them when James came up behind her.

"So, Lily flower, shall we lead the first years up?" James said, winking at her.

Lily looked at him in disgust. "If we must." She walked quickly away, finally reaching the portrait hole. "The password is flying bumbleuzzles. Remember that, for you will need it to get into the common room." She led them into the common room. "Dormitorys are up the staircases. Boys go to your right, girls to your left. Boys remember that you cannot girt up the girl's staircases because of spells."

A/N: I NEED REVIEWS. Please? I'll give you a cookie!