I was running my heart out down a dimly lit train corridor. What was I running from? The train jerked to life knocking me forwards onto my hands and knees. Something hissed above me–I stared up between my blonde curls; into red demonic eyes, no, snake eyes. My heart was in my throat, constricting my breathing. I yanked to my feet and stared at an anaconda like snake. I immediately sprinted down the corridor, away from that god forsaken thing.
The faster I ran; the dimmer the lights in the corridor became.
Shit.. I was jostled against the corridor like a rag doll until my feet came out from under me and I fell onto the carpet–sprawled out like a drunk date. Someone used my hair like handle bars; yanking me painfully to me feet. Their hands fell away as I fought to stay standing, their hand came down across my face. I turned with the slap in a vain attempt to subside some of the pain. After the pain subsided I looked up at my attacker and was greeted by slitted red eyes.
"Ugh," I gasped and stepped backwards.
The man's pale, old face was flushed with anger. He opened his mouth, and to my amusement he barked. He barked thrice and growled once.
"What's wrong?" I smirked smugly.
He barked again, his anger was evident in his face.
"C'mon, speak boy speak."
He struck me across the face again–hard enough that my head turned with it.
I laughed as blood slid from the corner of my mouth.
"Your mother cracked after some light torture. I expect you to bow down to me before then. I'd rather not cut up my new... toy."
I stopped laughing instantly.
"Also your brother," he laughed coldly, "went all heroic. Threatening me, saying that you'll make friends–powerful friends at Hogwart and defeat me. He briefly mentioned Harry Potter. Saying you'll aid him in defeating me when he's eighteen." He laughed again. "Your loose-lipped sister-in-law mentioned that you've got rare powers and abilities; I do wish to see them... Have you on my... side." He walked around me letting his fingertips linger on my bare shoulders and neck.
I felt like ripping him to shreds and plucking out those nasty snake eyes.
"If you come..." he moved close to my ear and whispered in a secretive way, "with me, I promise to leave your mind and... beautiful body intact. You'll be able to do whatever you want, to an extent. I'll even let you control the death eaters and a few promising young boys and ...girls if that's what you're into." He kissed my collarbone.
I shivered against my will and he smiled into my flesh. I turned around to face him. "I'd rather fuck a thousand dead corpses and sleep with were animals then be in the presence of you or anyone associated with your nasty ass." I spat out the words like boiling venom. I heard a dog barking in the distance. The sweet scent of chocolate swam around me.
His smile twisted into a disgusting grin as he lunged for me. Before he could lay a hand on me the dream shattered into a million pieces and fell into nothingness.
Strong arms were trapping me firmly against a muscular chest; not that I was complaining, I rather enjoyed it. Before I could really enjoy the embrace a cool, slick tongue lapped at my nose.. repeatedly.
"Snuffles!" Hermione's cried.
"Quietly Hermione, I think she might be stirring." The man's voice was unfamiliar to me but I knew he was tired and nearly dead to the world.
"Professor Lupin's right, Hermy," Ron whined.
I slowly opened my eyes; letting them adjust to the semi-darkness. When my eyes focused I was pleasantly surprised–I was in the arms of a gorgeous man. His hair was light brown–though looking quite young I notice flecks of grey throughout. He was wearing shabby robes; he could do with some new robes... I looked up at his face, I was right; he looked tired and possibly ill, he had a few long scars on his face. He was still gorgeous though.
"You smell like chocolate..." I leaned up and nuzzled his neck, catching him off guard. I breathed deeply in his scent and shivered. "The scent of the forest and wolves are... embedded in your skin or something; it's very strong."
Everyone exchanged looks then stared at me.
I sat up with the aid of the Professor. "Thanks," I whispered, blushing feverishly. I turned in my seat and looked at the man. His eyes shone and shimmered like Hazel orbs. I was about to introduce myself when he beat me to it.
"I'm sure Harry has 'raved' about me. And if by some miracle he hasn't; I'm Remus J Lupin, I'll be teaching Defenece Against the Dark Arts at the request of many parents and students." He extended his hand to me.
I giggled.
"He didn't have enough time, what with Malfoy and his goons attacking me, and my passing out. But in any case, tis a pleasure to meet you, Professor Remus J Lupin." I took his hand and shook it as gently and passively as I could. "I'm Vixen Marisol Valkyrie." I smiled warmly at him. His hand was surprisingly soft, I was tempted to gush about moisturizer's, but held back.
He smiled gently at me.
"Vixen Marisol Valkyrie, all very fitting and beautiful names, for a charming young Canadian."
I laughed again.
"Someone blabbed about my spit on my nationality."
"Yes, besides that, Dumbledore has spoke to the staff about you and the tragic events that led you to Hogwarts. I'm sorry for your lo-"
I quickly lifted my hand stopping him in mid-sentence. "Please don't, I wish not to think about it. I've cried enough to have a river named after it." I smiled weakly and quickly changed the subject. "That dog," I pointed to the black dog sitting near me, "Mrs.Weasley was chasing that mutt all about the platform trying to stop it from getting on the train."
The dog ran back to Harry with it's limp black tail between it's scruffy legs.
"I'm sorry but..." I started laughing, "when Mrs.Weasley dove for that dog, I thought I was going to piss myself laughing." I attempted to stifle my laughter with my hands.
Hermione made a snorting sound deep in the throat then started laughing, then Ginny, Ron, the plump boy and Harry, roared with laughter.
"Molly dove for Snuffles?" Lupin chuckled. "My, my, Snuffles, you've been a busy boy, haven't you?"
Snuffles jumped onto the seat between Lupin and myself; separating us. Damn.
I felt like I was being watched so I turned my head and saw Snuffles staring at me with his dark eyes.
Snuffles lifted up his paw to me, causing me to have fits of giggles with Ginny.
"Oh," I gently took Snuffles paw and shook it awkwardly, "Nice to meetcha Snuffles, I'm Vixen."
He barked and licked my cheek.
I ruffed up his fur while planting a kiss on the tip of his nose. "You're too damn cute, Snuffie, baby," I giggled. I looked up at Harry who was smiling at me. I glanced around the room while I petted Snuffles and noticed the plump boy doing the same as me. I caught his gaze and smiled warmly; he blushed and looked away, clearly embarrassed. I giggled.
"Oh!" Hermione chimed in, "you haven't been introduced to our other friend, Vixen."
I got up quickly, trying to make a fast getaway but she stood up and grabbed my elbow. Inwardly I groaned.
"This," she pointed to the unknown boy, "is Neville Longbottom, he's a sixth-year Gryffindor like us and hopefully you."
Neville stared at me with those curious, innocent, chocolate brown eyes.
I smiled sweetly and extended my hand to him. "Hiya Neville, I'm Vixen."
He looked nervous then hesitantly shook my hand.
"Hullo Vixen." His hand was clammy and loose; yet left my hand tingling and wanting more. It was a weird feeling. I suddenly felt nervous, scared and depressed that nobody would like me.
Then it clicked in my head; they were Neville's feelings.
"Neville, why're you nervous and scared that you won't be liked?"
His hand snapped back from mine like I burned him.
"Why do you worry so? Everything will work out in the end, for the better." I touched his cheek and he turned away. "Why is your soul scarred with pain, sorrow, loneliness, depression, and hurt-- no love in sight. Neville? What brought you to the conclusion that life is pointless and uneventful? Life is always worth living, you just need someone that helps you feel alive..."
Neville jumped to his feet; still clutching his frog and pushed passed me and out the compartment door.
I sighed and sat back down next to Snuffles.
"What was that about?" Hermione whispered to me.
"Why's Neville angry?" Ginny added.
Before they could start their chatter I cleared my throat.
"Neville isn't angry, he's just shocked that I was able to read his aura and soul like an unprotected book..." I sighed.
"Aura! Please don't tell me you're a seer like that fraud Professor Trelawny--that's mental," Ron cried.
I reached out and rudely snatched Ron's wrist and held on tightly. My hand tingled like the skin beneath mine was moving or something. Images of Ron and Hermione--Ron secretly watching Hermione; swam through my vision, and feelings of love, jealousy, happiness, filled my heart. I released Ron's wrist and used wandless magic to slam the compartment door shut.
"What did you see, Vix?" Ron whispered.
"You should tell her how you feel Ronald Wesley, before it's too late and she moves on with her life, and to a different man. You cannot live life without taking risks. Risks are what life's all about, they makes us face our fears, even if we fall flat on our faces... at least we wouldn't be going through life being plagued by 'what if's and 'once if's..." I looked up at Ron and smiled weakly.
His cheeks flushed as Harry and Ginny understood to whom I was referring.
"So... um..." I broke the awkwardness, "Sirius Black was innocent the whole time. Stupid Ministry of Magic, can't tell their heads from their assholes. Pff... sending wrongly convicted people to Azkaban to rot and die." I sighed then looked at Snuffles and I swore that mutt smiled...strangely at me. "The guilty flee and hide, only the innocent remain." I looked out the window–at the sheets of rain slapping against it, cruelly.
Everyone fell silent after that. Lupin told us we had twenty minutes till Hogwarts so we had to change into our robes. Other than that, the rest of the long ass haul went without a hitch.
Hogwarts was gigantic; stone steps, archways, and a bizzare tree called the "Whomping Willow"; it thrashes about and attacks anyone/thing that gets near it. I'd rather not press my luck.
Snuffles and Professor Lupin accompanied me up the stone steps and into the Entrance Hall.
"You'll have to wait here with the first-years until Professor McGonagal comes back for you as well as them." He took my hand and kissed it gingerly. "See you soon Vixen, good luck with the sorting." He walked away with Snuffles at his heels and looked back only once and winked at me.
Sigh.. Parting is such sweet sorrow. I smiled inwardly and joined the group of wet looking first-years. They looked cold as well. I sighed and pulled out my wand. A few of them squeaked and cried for me not to hurt them. I pointed my wand at them and muttered my favorite spell. "Dricilus!"
Everyone was dry and looked warm. I whispered another "secret" spell and mugs of hot chocolate appeared in all of their hands. Some smiled while others still looked scared.
I straightened up as the ominous clicking sound of high heels filled the hall. An old woman wearing a crisp black robe came sauntering towards us. Her white hair was in a bun hidden underneath a black pointed hat. She began talking about Hogwarts–I ignored those bits.
"The houses are Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. While here your house will be like our family. Doing good deeds will earn you house points..." I reverted back to ignoring her.
My mind wandered to Professor Lupin. God he's so damn fine, he can't be over thirty-eight years old. I inwardly slapped myself for thinking that way about my possible Professor.
"Miss Valkyrie, are you listening?" barked McGonagal.
"Uh.. Sorry Professor."
She scoffed. "It's alright child. Everyone follow me." She turned on her heels, pushed open the Great Hall doors and disappeared inside. The sea of first-years made haste to follow her. I took a deep breath and paced.
"Just breathe, Vixen." I had no clue what to expect. I followed Dumbledore's instructions and waited a few moments until the cheering died out completely then slowly made my way into the famous Great Hall to be sorted into my house.