Disclaimer: I don't own HP. I do, however, own Amaya. ;)
Chapter Four:
Amaya opened her eyes and took in her unfamiliar surroundings. The room was done in scarlet and gold from the floor to the ceiling. Even the ceiling itself, she noticed, was colored a deep red. Taking in a deep breath, she stood up and stretched. Looking at the huge bed in the corner of the room, Amaya noticed that her roommate was already gone.
She waked over to her clothes to get dressed and she noticed a note on top of a stack of robes.
Amaya,
Sorry I had to leave before you woke up. There was a fight between a Slytherin first year and a Gryffindor and James was so 'tired' that he couldn't take care of it alone, so that left me to help him. Here's some clothes and robes of mine you can wear since I'm sure that you do not wish to wear your dirty clothes.
Dumbledore wishes to see you in his office when you wake up. Either Remus or Sirius should be waiting for you in the sitting room. Have fun!
Lily Evans, Head Girl
Amaya put the note down and picked up the robes. Examining them, she saw that they bore the HG that she assumed stood for head girl. Putting on the simple pair of jeans and t-shirt that Lily had provided, she shoved the robes over her head and quickly got herself cleaned up before going out into the sitting room. Upon entering, she saw Sirius sitting slumped over in a chair beside the enormous fireplace (that isn't lit as it's summertime). Actually, she heard him a fraction of a second before she even saw him. He was deep asleep and drooling all over the arm of the chair. Clearing her throat rather loudly, she waited as Sirius jumped up, wiped the drool from his chin, and looked at her rather confused for a minute before regaining his composure.
"Ah, there you are. I see that Lily gave you some robes to wear. I have to say, though, that you look better in them than she does." he said, looking her over.
All Amaya could do was smile as a blush crept up and onto her face.
"Well, we have to go meet Remus in the Great Hall for breakfast, and then go see Professor Dumbledore. Are you hungry?" Sirius asked her, clearly trying to change the subject of what she looked like in robes.
Amaya nodded.
"Right, then. Follow me, if you will, and I will take you to a place where you will receive a breakfast like no other breakfast you've ever had in your life. Courtesy of the Hogwarts House Elves." He said, ushering her out the door and into the massive hallway.
Amaya followed him down a long string of hallways and a couple of flights of stairs until they entered the Entrance Hall. It was the only place she recognized from the night before. They entered a massive doorway off the left and she was shocked by the sight she saw.
There were four tables sectioned out in the giant room, all of them filled with students and the table tops were covered with food. Spotting Remus waving to them from a table second from the right, they hurried over to take the seats he had saved for them. In front of Remus there were two already emptied plates and a third that looked as if it had just been started on.
"Wow, Moony. I know you said that you couldn't wait on Amaya because you were starving, but I didn't think you meant it literally." Sirius commented, seeing his friends' many plates.
Remus blushed. "What can I say? I am a growing man." He said, taking a bite off of a slice of bacon he held in his hand. "So, how was your night?" He asked Amaya, who was excitedly filling her plate with food.
She smiled. "Great. I slept very well, you know, for being in a strange place and all." She picked up a piece of sausage and shoved it into her mouth. She then began piling pancakes onto her plate, covering them with butter, and them smothering them in syrup. She was so enraptured in her task that she didn't notice the many stares she was receiving from the students surrounding her.
"Umm, Amaya?" Sirius said, his own plate covered in the very same thing as hers, mountains of pancakes.
She looked up at him between mouthfuls. "Hmm?" She managed.
He smiled. "You seem to have an audience. I don't think that we're quite used to seeing a woman with your appetite. Normally they're all on a diet of some sorts." He said with admiration.
"She can eat anything she wants and not gain an ounce. It's been a gift of hers forever." Remus said, finishing of his third plate and pushing it away. "Quite similar to you, actually."
Sirius smiled inwardly. He liked the fact that this girl shared his passion for food.
Amaya looked at the students staring at her. "What are you looking at?" She said, finally, after finishing her last bite. All of the students shook their heads and went back to their conversations and to their own breakfast's. All of them except two people.
"Well, I'd say that you found your soul mate, Sirius. Who is she, then?" A man with dark hair said. Their was a girl with brown hair sitting next to him, holding his hand. She smiled pleasantly at Amaya, who smiled back.
Sirius blushed and nearly spat out his food at the bluntness of the comment. "She's not my girlfriend, Frank. However, thank you for suggesting that such a beautiful woman would be interested in the likes of me." He said with a smirk in her direction. Frank turned to her and stuck out his hand.
"The names Frank Longbottom. And this is my fiancée, Alice." The girl smiled as Amaya released Franks hand and reached over and shook hers.
"Amaya Cole." Amaya said.
"Oh? Are you new here? I don't remember seeing you before." Alice said. As Amaya was going to go into an explanation, Remus spoke.
"She is new here from America. Just arrived last night, actually. She's my cousin, you see."
Amaya smiled in confirmation. Alice and Frank both smiled at her. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Amaya." Frank said, before he and Alice turned and continued to eat their breakfast.
As Sirius finished, he turned to Amaya and Remus, who were talking about classes as Remus was trying to explain to her what was on his schedule. "Well, I'm done. Ready to go see Dumbledore?" He asked. Amaya ignored him.
"So History of Magic tells of magic from the beginning? Everything?" She asked. Remus nodded.
"Yes and it's rather boring." He said. "For now, though, let's go see Dumbledore and we'll talk about my classes later." Sirius stared at him.
"I just said that, Moony."
"You did?" Remus asked innocently.
"Yes. And you both ignored me." He said, pretending to pout. Amaya looked at him.
"Aww. Poor Padfoot." She said, patting him on the head. "Come on. We'll not ignore you anymore, we swear."
They all stood up, Sirius staring at Amaya in shock. Remus guessed it was either because she used his nickname, or that she patted him like a dog. The latter would have been ironic, considering that she didn't know about their little 'secrets'.
Sirius and Remus trailed behind Amaya as she admired all of the portraits on the way to Dumbledore's office.
"What do you suppose she meant by that, Moony?" Sirius asked nervously.
Remus smiled. "I don't think she meant anything by it, Padfoot ol' buddy." He said. He wanted to add that he thought it was just innocent flirting, but decided against it. The longer he kept Sirius from dating her, the better, although he knew it would happen eventually. No girl he had ever met could resist Sirius Black, and he doubted that his cousin could either.
"Ok then. As long as you're not worried." He said, and hurried ahead and put his arm around Amaya. Remus saw him pointing and heard him giving description's of various paintings on the walls. He couldn't help but laugh to himself as they approached Dumbledore's office.
"Ahh. Miss. Cole. I hurried my breakfast in hopes of seeing you this morning. I see that Miss. Evans gave you my message, and that she supplied you with clothes." His blue eyes twinkled behind his glasses.
Amaya smiled at him. "Yes, she was very accommodating to me, thank you." She said. He nodded his head and motioned for them all to sit down.
"Now," he said as they did so, " There is something I must insist that you do before you can begin attending classes. You see, here at Hogwarts, there are four houses…" He said and went into great detail of the four founders and the houses of Hogwarts.
When he finished, Amaya knew just what house she wanted to be in. She was excited as Dumbledore brought down a tattered looking hat and placed it on her head, explaining to her what it was as he went.
"Now, the sorting hat will place you in to the proper house." he said.
Amaya's world went dark as the sorting hat covered her eyes and blocked out all light. She heard a voice in her head that caused her to jump.
" I was wondering when I would see another Cole in Hogwarts." The hat said. Amaya smiled. "But you are rather late, I dare say. Already old enough for your final year! However, if Albus has confidence…then all I can do is place you in the house in which I feel you will be the strongest…Gryffindor!" The house said, now loud enough for the rest of them to hear, but not shouting as it normally would have. Taking the hat off of her head and handing it back to Dumbledore, she turned around to be greeted by the smiling faces of Remus and Sirius.
"What?" She asked.
"We're in Gryffindor." Remus said. "Congratulations." He said, hugging her.
"Yes, congratulations. Couldn't have been put into a better house, I think." Sirius said.
Dumbledore smiled at them all. "Yes, congratulations. Gryffindor is an outstanding house led by our transfiguration teacher and Deputy Headmistress, Minerva McGonagall. She'll be delighted to have you." He said. "Now, here's your schedule, and, off to class with you." He said, ushering them to the door.
Before they exited, Remus spoke up. "Um, sorry Professor, but doesn't she need a wand? And books and all that?" He asked.
"Oh! I had almost forgotten. Thank You, Mr. Lupin. I'm afraid I'm losing it in my old age." He said, and went to his desk and produced a stack of books, and a long and slender box. "Here are the books you'll need, and this.." he said, taking a long stick similar to the one she had seen him use the night before.., " is your wand. It has been in my possession ever since you were little. Your parents had it specially made for you before you were born. They asked me to keep it safe when they fled to America." He handed Amaya the wand and she took it from him very carefully. She looked it over and noticed symbols on the handle that she didn't recognize. Their were also a number of intricate designs all over the length of it. It was beautiful.
She glanced at Remus who was looking at her wand wide eyed, and to Sirius, who was, oddly enough, staring directly into her eyes. After a moment, she looked away and back to Dumbledore.
"Thank You, Professor. Um, Did you talk to my parents?" She asked. The old man smiled and nodded.
"Yes, and they sent you a letter." He said, plucking the folded piece of paper from his front pocket. She took it gratefully.
Ripping open the ridiculous wax seal they had put on it, she read;
Dearest Amaya,
Your father and I understand that you have every right to be angry with us. After all, this information is very important, it is a part of who you are that you , nor we, can deny. But the truth of the matter is that there were…rumors, and terrible one's at that, of a dark wizard that would attempt to take over the whole of the muggle and wizarding worlds. We didn't want you involved in that, so we fled with you in the hopes that the wizard would be defeated before he reached America. As he is in existence today, and you are in the heart of his operation in Europe, your father and I beg of you to be careful. We only ever sent you to stay with your grandparents knowing that they were powerful wizards who would protect you at all costs.
Our dear friend Albus owled us last night and told us of the situation. We wanted you to know that we support any decision you make. Actually, we encourage you to attend school at Hogwarts. You will love it, we are sure. Also, there is…something else that your father needs to discuss with you, so we will be coming to spend Christmas with you, and he will tell you then.
Until then, be careful, stick close to Remus, and listen to anything Albus says.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Amaya put the letter down with tears in her eyes. She hadn't realized before hand how much she would miss them. And all of these wizard phrases, such as owled, and muggles seemed very foreign when said from them. She had no prior knowledge that they even knew of witches and wizards, so it wasn't a surprise that it should came as a complete shock to her.
Remus walked up and put his arm around her. She shrugged off his arms as she wiped away her tears. "I'm alright, thanks." She sat back down in the chair and glanced at Sirius. He was looking at her with concern. She smiled at him faintly and turned back to Dumbledore as he began to speak again.
"Alright, you may go if you wish. I assume your schedule will be the same as Remus's. You shall do fine." He said, turning around and fidgeting with some trinket on the wall. They took this as their cue that he was done speaking, and they left the office.
"Alright, you lot! Break it up!" James yelled, pushing his way to the front of the crowd that was surrounding the Gryffindor and Slytherin that were fighting. Walking up to them, he pulled them apart, being a little more rough on the Slytherin.
"Potter! Be easy with them, they're only first years!" Lily said, as she approached the scene and noticed him holding onto the Slytherins collar.
James rolled his eyes. "Oh, calm down, Evans. I'm not hurting them anymore than they were themselves." He said, releasing the boy's collars and grabbing they're arms tightly. Walking over to where she was facing them, Lily began questioning the boys.
"Alright. Tell me, what was that about?" She said, the look on her face saying that the excuse better be a pretty good one.
The Slytherin turned his head as if he were too good to speak. The Gryffindor looked at her proudly in the eyes. "He said…horrible things to that girl, there." He said, pointing to a small girl with blonde hair standing amongst the crowd.
"Is that true?" she asked the Slytherin boy. He continued to ignore her. James decided to step up.
"Come on, answer her. Is that true?" he said. The Slytherin looked at him through disgusted eyes.
"Yes. It is. I only spoke the truth, though. I told her she was a filthy stinking mudblood that had no business here. Just like her." He said, nodding in Lily's direction.
Something inside James snapped. He couldn't stop himself as he drooped both of the boys, took out his wand, and turned it on the boy.
"James! What are you doing?" Lily demanded, trying to pry the wand from his hand.
"Teaching this Slytherin a lesson. Back off, Evans." He said, not looking away from the cowering Slytherin boy. "Now, apologize. To the both of them." He told him.
The Slytherin looked as if he would rather throw up. James smirked. "Fine, have it your way then." He said, shooting a curse at him.
"James! Stop that this instant!" Lily shouted as the boy was thrown across the hall, landing roughly on his hind quarters.
"What? Why? He insulted you, Evans." James said, looking at her. Her eyes were practically spitting fire, she was so angry.
"I know he insulted me, but what does that have to do with you?" said, turning to the boys. "Both of you, a weeks detention. Don't let this happen again, or there will be further punishment. 10 points from each of your houses." she yelled, turning on her heel and storming down the corridor, everyone in the crowd staring after her.
James quickly caught up to her, grabbing her arm and forcing her to stop. "What do you mean, 'what does that have to do with me?' It has everything to do with me!" he shouted at her.
"No, it doesn't! I've told you that tons of times. There is nothing between us! Why can't you understand that?" She asked, tears of frustration forming in her eyes.
James stared at her, open mouthed. "Fine. Can you do me one favor, though?" He asked.
She rolled her eyes. "What?" she spat.
"Tell me a reason. You've always said there was nothing between us, but you've yet to tell me why." He said, leaning up against a wall waiting for her to answer.
"You can't see it? Are you really that dense?" She asked. "James Potter, you are arrogant, conceited, pig-headed, and self-centered. The question you should be asking me is why would I actually like you?" she said.
Everything inside James crashed down on him at that instant. It was all he could do to keep the tears from falling. "Fine." he said, no emotion in his voice. "Then I guess I'd better leave you alone then. Wouldn't want to cause you anymore trouble than I already have."
James turned and walked down the corridor, leaving Lily to stare after him. Never before, after all of her insults, had he walked away from her like that. He had always seemed to bounce right back. Not this time, though. What had she done?