Chapter 2 - Enmities and Friendships
"...and that big fat oaf grabbed me from behind and tried to strangle me. I dug my elbow hard in his stomach. Guess I might've broken a rib or two." Sirius was telling his friends animatedly.
James and Remus doubled over with laughter. "Blimey! They're pathetic!" said James wiping tears of mirth.
Remus found himself enjoying the company of James and Sirius. Just as he was about to make a remark upon Sirius' amusing fight, they heard a commotion outside their compartment. The three exchanged uneasy looks and wondered if they should go out.
WHAAAM
The decision was made.
'These crashes are never going to leave me alone.' James thought, stepping out of the compartment. The three boys pushed their way through a crowd of students to meet a terrific sight. A squat boy was cowering from at least a dozen of Slytherins all of whom had their wands drawn out.
"P-Please leave m-me alone…" the squat boy begged.
"Oi," Sirius shouted, "Get off him you filthy morons!"
A girl with dark hair, heavily lidded eyes, and beautiful face seemed to be the leader of the gang.
Slowly she turned her head towards Sirius. Her prior beautiful face now had an evil and dangerous look to it. Her mere presence spoke of power. The boy on the floor shuddered.
"Go away and never show your ugly face ever again, dear Bella." Sirius spat.
"I would not say that if I were you." She said, her eyes gleaming.
"I can see how brave you are," said James scathingly, "Can't even take on a first-year single-handedly!"
"Tell your friend to stay out of it, Sirius." said the girl sweetly.
"Why don't you tell your pathetic excuse for friends to vanish from the face of the earth," Sirius retorted. "It'll do us all so much good."
"What are you? A filthy muggle?" said the girl in cold fury.
"Have it your own way, Bellatrix." Sirius replied coolly.
"You are going the wrong way, brother. You'll be sorted into the house of mudbloods if you go on like this." behind Bellatrix the Slytherins smirked evilly.
Wands drawn out in a threatening gesture, the Slytherins started advancing upon the boys who too had their wands aiming at them.
"Oi, you! What's going on there?" They heard someone shout from behind the Slytherins. A tall boy pushed his way through the crowd, a prefect badge gleaming at the front of his robes. He had brown eyes, a plump face and light brown hair. James recognised him instantly as Gideon Prewett, the Gryffindor prefect.
"Hello there, Gideon. We were having a pleasant chat with the Slytherins. Getting to know our lovely seniors, you know."
Sirius raised an eyebrow tauntingly at Bellatrix. "You must remember where your loyalties lie!" She hissed at him and with a last evil look at them, left with the Slytherins.
"Off to your compartment boys. Don't go picking up trouble on your first day. See you later James." Said Gideon and walked down the train.
The three boys now bent towards the squat boy who lay helpless upon the floor.
"Are you sure you'll be able to walk?" James asked him kindly.
"I don't think he will." Sirius answered examining him.
"I'll take him to the mediwitch. You go on. Get into the compartment." Said Remus.
And the four boys dispersed.
"That raving old lunatic!" Sirius fumed as he slammed the compartment door shut.
"Take it easy, mate." James said as he flopped onto the seat beside him. He glanced at the window and saw the same girl he'd crashed into. She was staring absent-mindedly out of the window. Now that she was not breathing down his neck, he couldn't help but notice that she was quite pretty. He decided to make no comment (In case she started fuming again) and turned his attention to the bigger problem at hand, Sirius Black.
"Your cousin's hair were rather unusual, don't you think?"
"Rather like a bird's nest, you mean? Asked Sirius, "Well they are always-hang on-" he said in a dawning comprehension, "What did you do?"
"Let's just say, her hair will be getting a pleasant makeover after every half an hour or so." said James with a devilish grin while Sirius roared with laughter.