Rating: PG-13
Summary: We meet Addison's friends. Everyone embarks on the Hogwarts Express.
A/N: Hiya! I'm finally writing on this again. The complete lack of reviews is making this story not very fun to write. But for the readers who do review, this chapter is dedicated to you. Thanks to Plateado, Queen of Drag, katesparrow, and Ryou Kaiba.
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"Addi! Hi!" Addison turned her head to look for the owners of the voices, although she already knew who they were. Grinning, she looked back impatiently at her mother.
"Bye," her mother said gruffly, and stalked away, glad to be leaving this complete rubbish and nonsense. Addison frowned slightly at her back. Every year it was the same. She knew by know that she shouldn't let her mother's coarse demeanor bother her, but it did. She often hoped that everything could just return to normal, but she knew it was too late for that.
Putting on what she hoped to be a cheery smile, she rushed over to her friends, who were standing next to the barrier for Platform 9 3/4. "Hey. Just escaping my mother." Addison shook her head bitterly. "She never ceases to amaze me."
Virginia Walters gave her friend a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about her. What does she know anyway?"
"Yeah. Just because she has a stick up her arse doesn't mean you should let her ruin your sixth year!" Dora Fairmont laughed.
Addison smiled grateful at her friends. Besides, sixth year was the best year, if one though about it. O.W.Ls were behind them, and N.E.W.T.s weren't until seventh year, which meant much less studying and more time for having fun. At least, this was how Addison's friends saw it, but Addison herself knew that she would immerse herself in her studies, and, once again, try to be invisible. It had worked thus far.
"Yes. You're right." Addison admitted. "But if we don't hurry, we'll miss the train." Together the threesome, with a running start, hurtled themselves into the seemingly solid wall, leaving several Muggles blinking stupidly in their wake.
They hurriedly found an empty compartment, and settled themselves each in one of the comfortable seats. The Hogwarts Express emitted a shrill whistle, and for a fleeting moment Addison wondered if Sirius was on this train. There I go thinking about him again, she mentally scolded herself. Sighing, she rested her head against the window, and watched as the platform slowly slipped away, giving way to fields and countryside.
"Hello? Addison? You okay?" Virgina asked. Jolted from her reverie, Addison nodded.
"You were in your own world there for a minute," Dora joked.
"What are you talking about? She's always in her own world."
Addison tried to look offended, and attempted to scowl at her two best friends, but she was unsuccessful, and began to giggle. "Thanks guys. I feel loved."
"You're welcome!" Dora and Virginia chirped together.
The three continued to chatter on about their summers while Dora did last minute homework. Addison had to resist the urge not lecture her about waiting until the last minute to start, and instead let her friend borrow her essay on werewolves. They were interrupted by the old witch who pushed the food cart, and Addison bought enough sweets for all of them, her sweet tooth being the largest of the group.
While they sat in contented silence, munching their Chocolate Frogs, the compartment door flew open and in came a boy who Addison recognized as Peter Pettigrew. He was a pudgy boy, who looked like he had not quite reached his growth spurt, with blond hair and blue eyes. There was a moment of stunned silence in which Addison, Dora, and Virginia stared at him in shock. Finally, Dora spoke. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, yes. He's fine." Another boy bounded into their compartment, and Addison recognized the longish dark hair and blue eyes almost instantly. Sirius Black saw her and gave her a smile. All thoughts of Peter's current disheveled state forgotten, he gave the girls a wink, and then focused his full attention on Addison. "We meet again," he laughed, blue eyes glinting mischievously.
Addison smiled thinly. "Yeah. I told you I went to Hogwarts." Always a polite one, she introduced her friends, who were ogling at the two of them. "These are my friends, Virgina Walters and Dora Fairmont. They're in Ravenclaw with me."
Sirius gave them a polite nod, and then pulled Peter to his feet. The blond boy blinked stupidly, and Sirius nudged him. "Where are your manners, Wormtail?" Sirius asked him.
Peter laughed nervously. "Oh. Sorry. I'm Peter Pettigrew, Sirius's friend." Addison bit back a laugh when Sirius rolled his eyes at the introduction. To her, it seemed like Peter was one of those people who couldn't think for himself and instead lived vicariously through the lives of others. Peter then shuffled back through the door like a whipped puppy, obviously embarrassed.
"He's a bit of an odd one isn't he?" Virginia asked. Sirius nodded solemnly, and the four of them burst out laughing.
"Well, ladies, I must be on my way. People to see, places to go, you know." Pausing for a minute he added, "I think I just rhymed." On his way out the door, he stopped and looked at Addison. "I'll be seeing you around then?" She nodded, and he left.
As she was marveling at his constant energy and his remarkable way with words, her friends started to ask about a million questions all at once. "Ah! Stop! One at a time, please," Addison said, smiling blissfully, once again in her own little world.
Virginia and Dora looked at each other in surprise. "How do you know Sirius Black?" They asked together.
"Zere is much zat you don't know about me," she answered in a mocking, mysterious air. Virginia punched her arm, and glared at her. "Fine then. If you really must know." She paused for dramatic effect.
"Damn it Addison. Out with it already!" Dora snapped.
"Well, actually, I ran into him at Diagon Alley."
"You ran into him?" Dora asked incredulously.
"Yes. I ran into him. Literally." When she thought about it, that might have been one of the only times Sirius had been caught off guard. Then again, so had she, and Addison strived to keep up her defenses, even among her friends. Every time she had seen Sirius Black when she was at Hogwarts, he had always been his smooth-talking self.
There was a moment of thoughtful silence. "I think he likes you," Virginia stated finally.
Addison cocked an eyebrow. "You do?"
Dora rolled her eyes. "Isn't it obvious?"
Addison didn't think it was. Sirius Black was one of the most popular guys at Hogwarts. He could have any girl he wanted. Why would he be interested in her? Besides, he had a bad reputation among girls as being a flirt and a player, and Addison didn't want that in a guy. "No. I think you're wrong. There is no way that Sirius Black is at all interested in me. I wouldn't go out with him anyway. Not my type."
"What is your type then?" Dora asked curiously, knowing that since her friend had never had a boyfriend, that she must have high standards.
Addison looked flustered for a minute. "Not him," she said finally and in a voice that clearly stated that this discussion was closed. Her appetite gone, she laid her head against the wall and tried to go to sleep. She pushed his face out of her mind, and was finally able to drift off, the blackness engulfing her.
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A/N: 'Nother chappie done. Please review! I beg of you!
Until next time,
~TheSiriusSparrow~