This is my first story originally posted on Death-Curse.

A/N: I'm not sure but the beginning of chapter fifteen may have read wrong, it should be End of term. R&R folks

Rated: R for language and mature themes to come.

Both Sides of Life

Chapter Sixteen: Year Two: Start of Term

September first rolled around too fast for everyone. It seemed like only yesterday the July carnival in Blaire had had them buying cotton candy and running around, enjoying the music and fireworks. Remus was amazed 'Every year they hold this? How come no one else has heard of this?' he thought as he packed up his trunk with only days to go. This was by far the best summer Remus could remember. Isobel had spent a weekend at his house. His parents loved her! He in return had come to the carnival and had been up to two in the morning. He spent time at both Peter's and James' houses. All the Marauders had gotten together for the full moons and ran around in the countryside near his house. Sirius was the only one who had any faults with this summer. He hated being at home. It was driving him close to the edge. He had been threatening to leave for weeks. James had told him if he wanted to he could live with him. Remus had written to Isobel every week, twice usually. She back to him. She seemed to be having loads of fun with her friends. He was worried a bit about seven guys living for two months with his girlfriend. He didn't know what was happening but he trusted her so he never vocalized his thoughts. Two days and he'd see her again.

Two days and she'd see him again!? Isobel had lost track of the days...about two hours after arriving in Blaire. The endless amounts of social events, partying and other activities kept her always on the go. Her weekend with Remus' family was her time off, and even then it wasn't a time to slack off, she had to impress these people. His appearance at the festival had made it extra special. But Isobel was use to the running around, it was what she'd have to do at home. Speaking of home she had to spend a week back home with her family though, small details about inheritance and her sister Mercedes acceptance to Hogwarts drew her back. Unfortunately that meant she had to spend her last week in the presence of her abusive father and sometimes negligent mother but she took her sister to Lia Fail for a few days and visited the museums. Now she was packing to go back, along with her little sister. Isobel moaned softly.

The Marauders met up again on the Platform 9 3/4 as they said goodbye to their parents and found an empty compartment to sit. Sirius was inexplicably followed by a little first year who had to be his brother Regulus.
"Go away!" he shouted for the forth time since getting onboard.
"Mummy told you not to speak to me like that!" Regulus pouted.
"Go find friends your own age. And quit bothering me!" Regulus scampered off.
A few minutes later the door opened again. "I said go away Regulus!" Sirius bellowed.
"Who's Regulus?" asked a feminine voice. The boys saw Isobel standing in the door.
"Oh, sorry thought you were my brother."
She raised an eyebrow to this "Can I sit with you boys?"
Remus shifted over so she had room. Isobel sat down between Remus and the window. James and Sirius sat opposite. The group chatted and got to know Isobel better. About three
hours into their journey the door open once again.
"Hey! Stop it!" cried a whinny voice as two first years fell in.
"Regulus!"
"Mercedes!"
Yelled Sirius and Isobel at the same time upon seeing their younger siblings.
"Sirius this girl keeps bothering me and won't stop following me!" Regulus whimpered.
"I am not following you! Isobel the others aren't letting me sit with them!" Mercedes whined.
Regulus stared at the young girl who looked exactly like her sister. "You're her sister? The half-blood's girlfriend? I still don't know how he got a girl." He shot.
Sirius grabbed his brother's arm "Out" he yelled throwing Regulus out.
Isobel turned to Mercedes "This is the last time I will refer to you as my sister." She smiled.
"Sister, what sister? You know 'cause we can't be sisters. I mean so what if we the same last name and look exactly alike we can't be sisters." Mercedes joked. She waved goodbye and left the compartment.

They arrived past sunset at Hogwarts and Isobel saw Mercedes onto the boats them rode with her friends.
"Have a good time with Remus?" asked Ursula making a kissy face at her.
"Yeah how are the boys?" asked Medea innocently.
Isobel looked at her carefully "Why do you want to know?"
Medea kept up the innocent act "No reason. Just wondering."
Titania looked at her now "You don't like one of the Marauders do you?" she asked shrewdly.
Medea squirmed in her seat as they sat down to the Welcoming Feast "Well.... Maybe. A bit...Sorta."
They all looked at Medea now. "Who?"
"Sirius, but it's nothing! I just think he's cute. Nothing more!" But none of them were convinced though.
Mercedes was sorted into Hufflepuff and Regulus was sorted into Slytherin, no surprise. The feast was as good as any other year but their biggest delight came with Dumbledore's speech.
"I'd like to remind everyone new and old that the Forbidden Forest is strictly forbidden. Mr. Filch would like me to remind you of the 375 items banned from the school;
there are twenty new items on the list this year. The full list can be found in the caretaker's office. Also this year to celebrate Hogwarts' first millennium we well be having a Yule ball this
year. All forth years and up are invited to come. That is all, and now it is time for me to bid you good night before you must clean out the cobwebs in your head from the summer."
Everyone headed up to their common rooms to sleep and prepare for a now year but the school was buzzing over the announcement of a Yule Ball this year.
"This is so going to be great!" chimed Ursula as the girls headed up for the night.
"I know. Oh, who are you going with?" asked Undine.
"Well let's see.... Titania will go with her boyfriend Adrian and Isobel with Remus her boyfriend that's obvious. The rest of us, well that's up in the air." Medea said shrugging.
Titania grinned evilly "Hey too bad about the boyfriend 'cause then you could go with Sirius."
"No! No, Titania you already hooked one of us up with a Marauder. No more!" Medea insisted crawling into bed.