"Is someone missing something?"

Zaria and Nym jumped from the sudden voice as their car door opened.

"Ohhh Eleven…" Zaria jumped up grabbing her cat from out stretched arms, "Oh Remus thank you … where did you find him?" She smiled looking up at the boy whose face started to flush from the sudden attention of the over zealous girl.

"Eh…well he sort of found me." Remus brushed back the brown locks from his soft brown eyes and smiled at the two younger girls. "Jumped up Sirius' pant legs and right into my arms…poor bugger was so frightened…and well Zar your lucky I was there or your cat would have been thrown out the car window." A chuckle rose in his throat.

"He wouldn't dare…"Zaria snapped her nostrils flaring at the thought, though an amused gleam splashed against her eyes.

"I too would dare little cousin." The sight of a slightly disgruntled Sirius appeared, "Look what your precious pet did to my new trousers..." All eyes moved to the torn up pant leg and fits of laughter traveled through the car.

"Well if you had better taste…" Zaria laughed, "Eleven was just pointing that out."

"Yea well next time he is going to be the fur for my new Hogwarts cap."

"Eh…more poor choices in your styles…all those girls goggling at you will be quite disappointed."

"Girls goggling? Over who? old scratch post?" James appeared, leaning on the entrance of the door as more fits of laughter broke out.

"I think I hear a bit of jealousy in you James. I mean I am a handsome bloke mate…not to mention smart…strong…charming…" Sirius made a muscle as he flashed his pearly whites.

"Don't make me sick…" James punched Sirius on the shoulder making him falter in his muscle making.

"Boys…" Zaria and Ana both rolled their eyes as Zaria picked up the broken cage. A fresh annoyance came over her as she looked over the dented side and hanging metal door.

"Here let me…" Remus watched as she grimaced. He knew the fiery look in the girl. Her eyes would narrow and it seemed as though the bright blue would darken into vengeful thoughts. Zaria rose her eyebrows and shrugged handing him the broken carrier.

"That idiot Patricia Lestrange…damn clumsy oaf…" she grumbled as she ignored the look Sirius gave her. He warned her about seriously messing with that girl and anyone who belonged in Slytherin, but she was not going to let someone push her around. Her personality wouldn't allow it.

"Reparo…" Remus' wand waved gently over the cage and the pieces melded back together. Zaria smiled impressed by the bit of magic as she looked over the newly repaired cage.

"Great….thanks…" she beamed up at Remus as she started to stick an unwilling Eleven back in. The first crash seemed to have stuck in his memory so it took both Remus and Zaria to force the hairball into seclusion.

"Well at least boys are worth something…" she smirked looking at James and Sirius who seemed to have stood back watching with amused glances. Yet she turned flashing a soft smile at Remus, who blushed once more in her presence.

"Yea always got to be the one to show off your smarts…" James laughed and rolled his eyes causing Remus to flush once more.

"Well anyways…we should go change into our robes…" Remus cleared his throat, "we should be there in about an hour…"

"Oh crap…I still have to check on Lily…" James smacked his head.

"Yea you haven't bothered her in what? Half an hour?" Sirius laughed, "You are going to break your record."

"Who is Lily?" Nym asked looking at her cousin.

"Lily Evans is James obsession." Sirius looked at his friend who just grinned.

"Yea well she is a perfect obsession and this year it will be different. She can't possibly refuse me…" James held a soft twinkle in his eyes as though lost in his own world before brushing his hand through the dark tangle of hair, "well I am off…I hope she didn't switch cars.." The group watched as James took off down the hall towards the front.

"Good luck mate…" Sirius called before turning back, "He is going to need it. Lily Evans whew….she has almost as fierce a temper as you Zar…"

"Oh shut up…" Zaria brushed back the locks of dark hair in her face and turned to her travel bag and pulled out her robes. "So are you two going to leave or do we have to change in front of you."

"Please…" Sirius rolled her eyes mocking her, "alright Remus mate…lets go find Peter. I am sure he is stressing about where we are….see you later." With that he gave a wave and the two were off down the hall.

Arrival

Ana and Zaria spent the rest of their time nervously changing and prepping themselves for the upcoming arrival. A soft friendship was blooming between them and for once Zaria was pleased with the outcome.

Back in the states it was hard to find a decent friend who was not pushed on her by Margaret. They usually had noses that stuck up in the air as though she smelled of sour milk. This caused Zaria's temper to flair and the play dates were cut short by unfortunate events such as hair turning vibrant shades of orange or someone getting stuck in the old oak tree by their toes. In response Margaret quit setting up these little visits and Zaria was left to her own devices. So Ana was a relief to the shadow of loneliness that Zaria was use to.

The train halted and Zaria felt another urge of nervousness prick over her. "And here we go..." she smiled at Ana as she started to pick up her travel bag and carrier.

"You won't need that." The smooth voice of another rang in her ears once more. Lucius Malfoy smiled gently down at her with his perfect rows of white teeth, "They pick up the baggage here. You needn't worry ladies." He touched Zaria's shoulder and started to guide her.

"Excuse me…"She pulled her shoulder from his touch, "I think that I can manage on my own." Zaria started down the train steps and onto the platform. She did not trust those perfect blue eyes. They reminded her of ice.
"I was only trying to help a friend." He had followed along with a quiet Ana in tow. Ana seemed to have grown strangely silent for being nervous. A light tinge of pink moved over her cheeks and tips of her ears as she walked behind Lucius.

"Lucius….Lucius…" A girl's high shrilled voice seemed to come from a bouncing blonde bobbing over the crowd of students, "Oh there you are Lucius…I have been looking all over…" The blue eyes froze narrowing slightly as she looked over at the two young girls, "well I see you found my sister and….Zaria…right?" She didn't wait for an answer as she started to drag a slightly annoyed looking Lucius away with her, "What are you doing with that little brat and her weird little friend. I cannot believe I am not related to a half….and don't lecture me…come on I am starving…"

Zaria's face started to pale as she turned to Ana. Anger once more flashing in her eyes. How dare she even….her thoughts were cut short though by the tears flowing down Ana's cheeks.

"Ana?" she asked softly, her eyes softening as she looked over her cousin.

"I …I can't stand her…so smug and…look at me…nothing like her…nothing like Bella…Lucius was there and everything…..I am sorry Zar…" Her deep eyes seemed to pale in the light.

"Look Ana it isn't your fault our family is filled with a bunch of brainless idiots…how dare she even insult one of the most fabulous people I have met…come on lets go…I bet we even get in the same house…and" Zaria lowered her voice as the rage in her eyes turned to malicious amusement, "and I hope we don't get in Slytherin…that would burst their bubble…"

Ana started to smile and nodded, "Your right Zar…I just hate the darkness that seems to follow almost everyone in that house…selfish…ugh." Her fingers ran through the short cut before Zaria hugged her tight.

"Don't worry we will stick together…we are family …and we are friends…" Zaria's smile washed over Nym and the bond was resealed.

"Firs' years…Firs' years…over here. Come on now..." A large man, whom Zaria had been told was Hagrid, was beckoning the first years into boats. His smile was wide behind the tangled mess of a beard, as he greeted the girls and helped them into a boat. Two boys also occupied it. Both had the nervous pale look of the unknown covering their faces, yet excitement was thick in the air around them.

"Hi…" One of the boys smiled shyly at the girls, "Ted Tonks…" he held out a hand as he looked over the girls. His eyes lingered longer on Andromeda as she took it, "Exciting isn't it…I mean really…wow..." His mind seemed to wander about the coming events, his eyes remained on the girl, whose bright blue ones seemed to sparkle in the moonlight. He took back his hand brushing it nervously through his black locks and looked at the boy next to him.

"Oh yea…." The boy looked slightly out of place. He was bulky with black spiked hair that seemed to shout rebellion. His big hands fumbled as he clasped the side of the boat. "Walden McNair…" his voice was quiet and uninterested.

"Zaria…"

"Ana…and yes it is a bit exciting…" she smiled softly at Ted. Her cheeks flushed slightly. Zaria once again rolled her eyes and looked at the beauty of the castle they were approaching. It sat against the star filled night as though a memory…but it was real…this was real.

"Here we go…" she breathed as the boat halted and they were lead in the castle.