Chapter Four

I Get Offered a Deal

Finding a compartment on the Hogwarts Express probably ranked as one of the worst things ever in my book. No matter how early you boarded, it always seemed like every carriage was full, and then you had to deal with the awkwardness of shuffling along the corridors while everyone who was already seated with their friends laughed at you from their quaint little compartments.

Berks.

I dragged my trunk behind me as I went from carriage to carriage, trapped in the never-ending stream of slow walkers. I huffed out my breath in annoyance, wishing they would just bloody hurry up. I kept an eye out for Hestia, Sera, and Florence, or literally any other Ravenclaw I knew on a first-name basis that I could sit with and end my torture. My trunk was heavy with all the N.E.W.T. books I had brought with me for lessons this year, and my arm was not happy with me anymore.

I was about three-quarters of the way down the train when a compartment door to my right slid open.

"Oi, Ravenclaw! Georgie!"

James Potter poked his head out into the corridor, grinning and waving when he caught my attention. I stood uncertainly for a moment, wondering what on earth the Marauder wanted with me. I hadn't seen or spoken to him since that night Nic had his Quidditch party, and considering I had tried to block that night from my memory permanently, I was wary at his easy grin and sparkling eyes.

"What do you want?" I asked, ignoring the dirty looks I received as I held up the traffic along the corridor. I was used to the glares ever since I became a prefect and started taking points from people, and it no longer fazed me. Potter, however…

"Why don't you sit with us?" he said, sliding the door open further, a clear invitation. "At least for a little bit until the train clears up, then you can be on your way."

I hesitated, chewing the inside of my cheek. Black would undoubtedly be in the carriage, as well, and I hadn't forgotten his warning words back at Dottie's. But he wouldn't dare do anything to me. I was a prefect.

Right?

"Fine," I said, sighing. "But only for a few minutes."

Potter grinned, gesturing me into the compartment with a sweep of his hand. "I assure you, we'll be pleasant enough company, Ravenclaw."

He was nice enough to take my trunk for me, stowing it under what I presumed was going to be my seat while grunting with the effort.

"Merlin, Ravenclaw, what d'you have in here?" he said. "Bricks?"

"They're called books, Potter," I said, seating myself next to Lupin. "Though I doubt you've ever touched one in your life."

He shrugged, pushing his square-rimmed spectacles farther up his very straight nose. "Can't argue with that."

I fidgeted anxiously in my seat, acutely aware of Black sitting mere feet away from me on the other side of the compartment with Peter Pettigrew. I kept my gaze fixed firmly on my knees, praying that I would be able to leave quickly. Even being in the same space was setting my nerves on edge.

"So, Georgie." I jumped at the sound of Lupin's voice, and my neck nearly cracked from how fast I snapped my head toward him. He didn't seem to notice my knee-jerk reaction, thankfully, giving me a friendly smile. "How was your holiday?"

"Good," I said, grinning nervously back at him. "You?"

He shrugged. "Bit of a bore, honestly. Just helped around in my mum's shop a lot. I heard you had some internships at the Ministry though—I bet that was exciting."

I snorted, some of the tension leaving my shoulders when I realized that this was just Lupin. We'd always been good-natured rivals, striving for the number one spot in our class along with Lily Evans, and though my determination to see him squashed was a bit intense, I still got on with him well enough, especially whenever we had prefect rounds together.

"The opposite, really," I said. "All I did was sit there and occasionally fetch the higher-ups some tea or coffee. I think by the end of it one actually knew my name."

Lupin chuckled. "Ah, well, it could be worse."

"Y'know, my holiday was grand, thanks for asking," Potter butted in. He leaned forward in his seat to talk over Lupin's lap. "I liked that party at your place, Georgie. And then that one place we went to— What was it? Lottie's?"

"Dottie's," I corrected. I darted my gaze toward Black, seeing if he gave any indication about that night or his warning, but he was only staring out the window, his handsome face thoughtful.

Before I could start staring at him, I glanced out into the corridor and saw that it was nearly empty. I practically jumped to my feet, relief coursing through me.

"Looks like it's time for me to go," I said, pulling my trunk out from underneath the seat. "Nice chat, Gryffindors. I'll see you at school."

I slid open the door, dragging my trunk with me, but stopped when I heard Black say, "Hold up, Ravenclaw."

My heart pounding, I turned to face him, my eyes zeroing in on his predatory smirk and the wand he had just pulled out of his pocket. His grey eyes bored into me mercilessly, and I knew that this was the end. He was about to exact his revenge on me.

His smirk widened, and the other Marauders snickered at the stricken expression on my face.

"Here's for taking points off us last term."

There was a flash of light, and I opened my eyes as they began to roar with laughter. I checked my arms, seeing that my skin was still the same color, and my clothes were still intact. I felt perfectly fine. Then what did he do…?

My question was answered for me when I turned around and saw my reflection in the compartment window, and I couldn't help it. I screamed.

Gone was my golden-blonde ponytail, and I mean literally gone. My hair was gone. I was bald.

The Marauders were still laughing behind me while I struggled to hold back my tears. Someone was mocking me, saying my name over and over again like a repeating record, echoing in my ears along with their cruel laughter.

"Georgina! Georgina, it's time to wake up! You're going to be late for the train!"

I bolted upright in my bed, my eyes snapping open and my chest heaving. Their stupid laughter still bounced around my skull, and I reached my hands up to my head, nearly sobbing when they tangled in the familiar curls. I still had my hair. Sirius Black hadn't jinxed me bald. Everything was okay.

"Georgina!" my mother yelled from downstairs.

I quickly scrambled out of bed, throwing open my door and peeking my head over the landing.

"I'm up!" I called.

"Get down here and eat your breakfast before it goes cold!" she shouted. "We have an hour before we have to leave for the station!" There was the sudden sound of glass breaking, and I heard her disappear into the dining room, her shriek audible from upstairs: "BOYS, WHAT HAVE I SAID ABOUT THROWING THE DISHES AT EACH OTHER?"

I freshened myself up quickly, throwing on a light blue sweater and jeans before making my way downstairs, the worst of my nightmare forgotten. Of course, something like that could still happen when I boarded the Hogwarts Express later that morning, but I tried to stay positive. After all, I was going back to Hogwarts; soon I would be reunited with Florence, Hestia, and Sera, and from there we would tackle our sixth year together. I had to believe that this was going to be the best year ever; I could feel it.

"Hey, loser," Sam greeted as I slid into my place at the table.

I shot him a glare. "Hey, yourself, hobbit."

He scowled at me. "For the last time, I don't know what that is—"

"Can you two stuff it for five minutes?" Simon whined. "Georgie just got here and I already have a migraine."

"Funny, that's what everyone at school says about her too—" Nic said, though he was quickly silenced when Dad sent him a high-browed glance from above the Daily Prophet he was reading.

"Boys, lay off your sister," he warned. "Just because you're going back to school doesn't mean I can't still ground you—"

"But we're graduated," Sam said, gesturing to himself and Simon. "You can't ground us." His cheeky grin disappeared at the look Dad gave him. "Or you can. Really, if that's your prerogative—"

"Fresh eggs!" Mum sang as she swept into the room, unwittingly saving my older brother from digging his own grave (something that I wouldn't object to). She set down the steaming bowl of scrambled eggs in the center of the table and took her seat as my brothers swooped in for the food while I sat back and waited for them to finish making a mess.

"So, are you ready to be back at school, Nic, Georgina?" Mum said, taking a sip from her tea.

"Yeah," Nic said around a mouthful of food. I wrinkled my nose at the egg bits that spewed from his mouth when he talked. "Gryffindor's going to win the Quidditch Cup this year, I'm calling it already."

"Only if you can manage to beat Ravenclaw," I pointed out, unable to help myself. "Hestia said their team would be unstoppable if they found a new Seeker as good as Davies was—"

"Rubbish," Nic said. "Gryffindor has them beat, no contest."

"Maybe you should be Ravenclaw's new Seeker, Georgie," Sam mocked, "and be perfect at that, too—"

"Boys—" Dad warned.

My face flushed angrily. "I'm not perfect. Shut up."

"Georgina," Mum said with a frown. "That's no way to speak to your brother."

"He started it!" I snapped, pointing at Sam's smug face.

"And I'm finishing it," Mum said calmly. "Eat."

I was fuming now. Why did she always take my brothers' side?

I pushed back from the table and stood, my appetite gone.

"Georgina, dear, sit down and eat," Mum said, but I shook my head, already stalking out of the room.

"I'm not hungry," I said. "I'll just go finish packing."

I could hear my brothers snickering behind me, and I swiped away the tears that stung my eyes. Why were they always such berks to me? What had I ever done to them, besides break the Gryffindor streak by being put into Ravenclaw? They couldn't hate me over something as stupid as House rivalry. Then again, Gryffindors had always been known for their judgmental attitudes, and they did hate the Slytherins no matter what. I wouldn't be surprised if I was seen as just as bad as the snakes in their eyes.

I sighed, beginning to pack my trunk. I couldn't wait to be back at Hogwarts.

Getting to King's Cross was fairly uneventful. Nic, Sam, Simon, and Mum Apparated to the platform, while I had to Side-Along with Dad, seeing as I was the only one who didn't know how to Apparate by myself yet. Years of Side-Along had already trained me to somewhat get used to the compressing feeling that came with Apparition, but that still didn't stop me from almost throwing up when we hit the platform. Fortunately, the nausea subsided quickly; I was not going to embarrass myself on my first day back.

Of course, Nic still tripped me as I wheeled my trolley toward the train, causing me to fall and bang up my knees. I hissed at the stinging pain as he chortled and pressed on, no doubt trying to find a compartment full of his dumb mates.

I clambered back to my feet, rubbing my right knee—which had taken the brunt of the damage—and nearly collided my trolley with someone else's.

"Whoa!" they said, maneuvering their trolley out of the way just in time, and I nearly groaned aloud. How was my luck possibly this rotten?

"I'm sorry—" I said before choking on my sentence when I met the amused silver gaze of none other than Sirius Black.

"You should be more careful, Ravenclaw," he said, and the smirk on his face told me he wasn't just talking about my clumsiness. I swear I nearly whimpered.

"Oi, Pads, c'mon! We found a compartment!"

I saw Potter disappear back onto the train, and I assumed 'Pads' was some sort of weird nickname for Black as he turned back to me, raising a haughty brow.

"See you at Hogwarts," he said, and with a last wink, he vanished, leaving me a blushing, flustered mess.

Sweet Rowena, get a grip on yourself!

I was Georgie Valentine. Sirius Black did not scare me. I was Georgie Valentine. Sirius Black did not scare me…

I repeated the mantra in my head as I traveled down the length of the train, desperately searching for a glimpse of my friends. I had nearly given up hope until I heard, "Georgie! Georgie, over here!"

Sighing with relief, I approached the compartment Florence was waving frantically out of. She opened the door, allowing me to haul my things inside and store them in the upper racks. No sooner had I completed this than the brunette witch had squashed me into a tight hug, squealing.

"I can't believe I didn't see you at all this summer!" she wailed. "That was the longest we've ever been apart!"

"I know, Flo," I said. "The Ministry was nutters though; I barely got any time to myself as it was!"

"How was that, by the way?" Hestia said, smiling and giving me a much gentler hug than Florence had. "I'm sure it must've been extremely busy, what with the war and all…"

I shrugged, ignoring the ominous question she left unspoken. It was our first day back together after a long holiday apart, and I didn't want to talk about depressing things. "If it was, I didn't notice it; they practically kept me in a basement anyway."

I took my seat after Sera finished kissing both of my cheeks wordlessly, though her grip on my arm had been tighter than usual. I wondered what was up with her.

"Well, who cares?" Florence said, stretching out next to me. "The internships are done, summer is over—sixth year awaits!"

"Yes, and all those lovely N.E.W.T.s," Hestia added, wrinkling her nose.

"How many are you taking, Hess?" I asked.

"Only five, thank Merlin," she said. "Defense, Charms, Potions, Herbology, and Transfiguration."

"Everything you'll need to be an Auror, right?" Florence said, and the other girl nodded.

"That, or something similar," she said. "The Auror program is hard to get into; if I don't make it through, they'll probably just put me on a minor task force or something."

"You'll make it," Florence said firmly, and Hestia smiled before turning to me.

"What about you, Georgie? How many N.E.W.T.s are you taking?"

"All of them, I'm sure," Florence said with a cheeky grin.

I shrugged, listing the classes I would be taking that year. "Charms, Defense, Transfiguration, Herbology, Potions, Astronomy, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Muggle Studies."

"So, all the N.E.W.T. classes they offer, minus two," Florence corrected herself. I nodded. "Merlin, Georgie, I dunno how you're gonna survive."

"You mean you got O's in all those exams?" Hestia said, impressed. "Damn. I barely scraped an E on our Charms O.W.L.; I had to beg Flitwick to accept me into his class."

"And what do you plan on doing with all those N.E.W.T.s?" Sera asked, speaking up for the first time since I had boarded. Her blue eyes raked me over critically, and I frowned at her analytical expression. Sera was typically wound tight, but something about her scrutiny was throwing me off.

"Dunno," I said, shrugging. "That's why I'm taking so many, just in case I change my mind later on."

I'd had the career talk with Professor Flitwick last term, of course, and with my parents every year. Though I always vaguely answered with something to do in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, like my parents wanted, the truth was that I simply had no idea what I wanted to do as an adult. Nothing sounded appealing, so my only plan at this point was just to keep my options open; something I wouldn't dare tell my parents or else face endless lecture upon lecture about my future.

Sera nodded before looking back out the window as the train departed from the station, heading for Hogwarts. Deciding to ignore her odd behavior for now, I tugged one of the books I would have to read for Muggle Studies out of my trunk, tucking my legs beneath me and preparing for the long journey.

At about three o'clock I stirred myself out of my book, sitting up and wishing I could skip the prefects' meeting I had to go to; I was far too comfortable to move, but I forced myself to my feet anyway.

"I'll be back," I said to the napping compartment, only receiving sleepy nods in reply as I made my way to the front of the train. I was five minutes early to the prefects' carriage, and I stepped inside, taking a seat near the front and fighting the urge to curl up right there and go to sleep. Over the next few minutes, all the other prefects trickled in, and the Ravenclaw boy in my year, Thomas Boot, took the seat next to me.

"Georgie," he greeted curtly, nodding his chin at me.

"Thomas," I replied cordially, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. Thomas Boot was a severely serious and monotonous boy, with wiry brown hair and a very round face. Everyone in the school referred to him as 'Thomas Boot-Licker,' since he was perpetually stuck-up and quite an obnoxious teacher's pet. Luckily, he couldn't speak to me further, as just then the Head Boy and Girl arrived, and the meeting commenced.

It was the same as last year's, thankfully, which meant I could tune out everything and only pretend to listen. Thomas was taking notes next to me, the weirdo, and the harsh scratching of his quill was the only thing keeping me awake through the duration of it. Finally, after what felt like centuries, we were allowed to grab some snacks and leave, and I immediately pounced on some mini-cupcakes with blue frosting.

"Naturally," Remus Lupin joked, coming up behind me and selecting a cupcake himself, this one with red frosting.

"Gotta keep up the pretense of house rivalry," I said, flashing back to my conversation with my brothers this morning and scowling. Lupin watched in amusement as I licked my frosting with much more intensity than I had intended. "What's up, Lupin? Wanna compare O.W.L. results?"

He grinned at me. "You read my mind, Valentine."

"Let's hear it, then," I said, waving my hand as I demolished the rest of the cupcake.

"O's in everything," he said, a bit of a boast to his otherwise languid tone. "And I'm taking eight N.E.W.T. classes this year."

I nodded. "Interesting. I got all O's as well, but I'm taking nine."

Lupin chuckled, shaking his head and taking a large bite out of his cupcake, frosting and all. I wrinkled my nose. So uncivilized. "You're ambitious, Valentine, I'll give you that."

I beamed at him. "High praise coming from you, Lupin. I'll take it."

He shrugged, grabbing another red cupcake before gesturing at me to follow him out of the carriage. We made our way back down the train, keeping up small talk as we went before he stopped outside a compartment about midway down.

"I'm in here," he said. "You can sit with us for a bit if you want."

I flashed back to my nightmare with a grimace.

"No, thanks," I said. "I should probably be getting back—"

I stopped dead when I glanced over Lupin's shoulder (which was a feat in itself, considering how freakishly tall he was) and saw Nic sitting in the compartment with the rest of the Marauders, a very familiar book in his hands. He was rifling through the pages, no doubt laughing with the others at the annotations I had already written in there, and suddenly my blood boiled. I had had enough of him today.

Pushing past Lupin, I stomped into the compartment. My idiot brother glanced up from the book, his face splitting into a shit-eating grin when he saw me.

"Oh, hey, George," he said, ignoring the way my eye twitched at the nickname. "So glad you could join us—I had some questions about your notes—"

"Silencio!" I snapped, pulling out my wand and flicking it so suddenly my brother was mute. He gaped at me, appalled, and attempted to swear, but no sound came out. "Accio book!"

My book, The Catcher in the Rye, flew out of his hands. I caught it deftly, clutching it to my chest as I glared at him.

"Leave me alone," I said. "Or I'll make sure that spell sticks permanently."

I was suddenly aware that the entire compartment was staring at me. I lowered my wand, careful to keep my gaze from straying to Black. The memory of my nightmare came to the forefront of my mind once more, and before anyone could say anything, I ducked out of the compartment and began striding back to where my friends were, leaving them all behind.

I was exhausted by the time the Start-of-Term Feast was over, and the prospect of just sleeping in the Great Hall was becoming more appealing with every step we took back to Ravenclaw Tower. To my disgruntlement, we kept even pace with some of the Gryffindors as they made their way to their tower at the opposite end of the castle, but since we hadn't come to the junction yet, we were forced to walk side-by-side together.

Hestia had been telling us something as we made our way up the endless staircases, but my attention was diverted when a heavy arm swung itself around my shoulders. I started when I found James Potter grinning down at me, the other Marauders only a few steps behind. I darted my gaze toward Black, wondering if the moment had finally come, but before I could catch a glimpse of him, Potter was already speaking.

"You're feisty for a Ravenclaw," he declared, and I shot him a confused look. "On the train? When you hexed your own brother? The look on his face was priceless. Are you sure you don't know how to have fun?"

"I, er…" My voice faltered, simply because I had no idea what to say. I'd spoken to Potter three times in my entire life, and all of those times had taken place over a couple of short weeks. I had no idea what was happening.

"I think I can help you, Ravenclaw," he continued as if I hadn't just stuttered stupidly for about ten seconds. "You have the makings of a fine, rebellious soul; troublemaking is in your veins. And I think you could benefit greatly from my—our—expertise. So, what d'you say? Will you accept your position under the Marauders' wing?"

I looked over my shoulder, catching Lupin's eye and mentally screaming, Help me!

He merely shook his head helplessly, mouthing, Just go with it.

Some Gryffindor. Weren't they supposed to be valiant and heroic and all that? Bloody useless, is what they were.

"Think on it," Potter said as the Ravenclaws and Gryffindors split up, heading for their separate towers. "We'll be in touch, Ravenclaw."

And with that, they were off, leaving me at the top of the staircase as students streamed around me. My friends hadn't noticed anything, and they were long gone. I stood alone, more confused than I had ever been in my life.

I thought for sure Potter would've hated my guts after the whole Snape debacle, but now here he was, offering to be my mentor—for what, exactly, I had no clue, but whatever it was, it couldn't be good. I just had to politely refuse his offer, then drop out of school and move to America or something. Perfect. That sounded like a solid plan.

Shaking my head, I followed the rest of the Ravenclaws back to our common room, completely oblivious to the fact that my entire world was about to be turned upside down.