As soon as Alex felt up to par again he left to rejoin the twins. Everyone else stayed, not saying a word until the train came to a stop. Everyone scrambled outside to the platform.
"Firs' years this way!" Fawn could hear Hagrid yell. He gave a wave to Harry and the rest, but none of them had a chance to say hi to Hagrid with the weather so bad and the crowd so strong.
They made their way to the carriages. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Fawn got a carriage together. Fawn couldn't see the Threastle, but she knew they were what was leading the carriages. Alex could see them, but that was because he had witness someone die.
The carriage smelt of mold and straw. Harry had some color back to him since eating the chocolate, but he still looked awful. They all kept sneaking glances at him throughout the ride. As they got closer to the castle Fawn could see the familiar pair of wrought iron gates that were flanked with stone columns topped with winged boars. Fawn always loved the looks of the castle. There was something so magnificent and magical about the castle. It steals her breath every time she returns to it.
Fawn couldn't help, but beam as the carriage came to a stop. She jumped out, her skirt fluttering around her as she looks up at the enormous castle. "You fainted, Potter? Is Longbottom telling the truth? You actually fainted?" Fawn turned around with a frown. Malfoy elbowed past Hermione and stood in front of Harry, blocking him from going up the steps to the castle. Malfoy's weasel-like face was positively glowing with glee and his eyes were glinting maliciously.
"Leave him, alone, Draco." Fawn says, glaring at the blonde.
"Shove off, Malfoy." Ron jumps in, clenching his jaw in suppressed anger.
"Did you faint as well, Weasley?" Malfoy asked. "What about you, Fawn? Did you faint, sweetheart?" Fawn's face turns bright red in embarrassment. She always hated it when he gave her pet names. It never ceased to stop unnerving her. "Did the scary old Dementor frighten you too, Weasley?" Malfoy turns to Weasley after smirking at Fawn's red face.
"Is there a problem?" Fawn's eyes shot behind her and saw Remus now standing behind her. His voice was soft and mild, but his tired eyes held a bit of a warning in them. He was always so protective of what he deems his family, that is until he believes them to be traitors. The thought made Fawn frown once more.
"Oh, no-er-Professor." Fawn looks over at Malfoy with an annoyed look. This was yet another reason Fawn dispized Malfoy. He was always looking down at people. He saw people for their strength in money, not their personality. Of course, Malfoy was busy judging Remus for his tattered robes and rather sad looking suitcase. If only Malfoy knew just how amazing of a wizard that Remus was, he wouldn't be making fun of the old professor that's for sure. Malfoy turned to Fawn with a nasty grin, eyeing her over once more before leading his bodyguards up the steps to the castle.
Hermione prodded Ron in the back to make him hurry up the stairs and while they and Harry went up the stairs, Fawn turned back to Remus. "Thank you." She whispers. "You didn't have to help, Remus, but I appreciate it anyways." She gives him a small smile before following after her friends, not waiting for a response from the man she once thought of as an uncle. She was always too nice to hold a grudge, unless, of course, your name ended in Malfoy.
Fawn caught up to her friends just as they entered the cavernous Entrance Hall. It was lit up with flaming torches and a beautiful marble staircase was right across from the entrance, leading up to the upper floors. The door towards the right stood open and all the students were all going through it to the Great Hall. They barely got through the door and glanced at the enchanted ceiling when they heard Professor McGonagall's voice. "Potter! Granger! I want to see you both!" Fawn turns to see the older witch with Alex right beside her. Most would assume that Alex would be given special treatment when it came to McGonagall, but if anything she was only harder on him. She was Alex's godmother and she was extremely close to their mother. She saw it as her job to look after the three Black children and ensure that they did well in school. She always pushed Alex because she knew he was capable of doing better. She knew just how smart Alex was and never ceased to test his limits. "There's no need to look so worried-I just want a word in my office." She tells them. "Move along there, Weasley. You too, Black." Alex turned to glance at McGonagall.
"See you around, Minnie." Alex grins. The head of house for the Gryffindors gave him a look for the nickname, but Fawn could see that she was suppressing a smile and her eyes were filled with affection. The nickname was the same one that their father used on her and no doubt the old witch was thinking of the rather arrogant young wizard that she had once known. Just like Alex, Sirius had been a soft spot for her, even more so after he married their mother.
"Off you go, Black." McGonagall says with a stern voice, but the love in her eyes never disappeared. Alex smiles at her before turning to the others.
"Come on, little doe, let's get you to your table." Fawn rolls her eyes with a smile as her brother threw his arm around her. Alex gave Hermione a passing smile as he leads his sister over to the Hufflepuff table where Marlene was already sitting. "Just dropping off the little doe. Look after her, will ya?" Alex asks his youngest sister.
"Aren't you supposed to be saying that to Fawn? I'm the youngest here." Alex grins.
"Yeah, but we all know you are plenty capable of looking after yourself." Alex moves and kisses Fawn's temple. "Love you. I'll see you later."
"Love you." Fawn whispers. Alex gave Marlene a smile before slipping away. Alex and Fawn had always been closer, but it was mostly because Alex always believed Fawn needed protection and affection because she was the most innocent and sweetest of them, which made her more sensitive and fragile in his eyes. Marlene was also born around a bad time in their lives, so it was harder to really bond with her with everything that was going on. Marlene never grew to resent them for it either. She loved her siblings with every fiber of her body, but she had always been far too independent to want their protection or guidance. She was still close to them, she just didn't share the same kind of bond with them.
"How's Harry doing?" Marlene asks once Fawn had sat down and got herself comfortable on the bench.
"He's okay, but he looks weak and a bit pale still. We had a run-in with Draco." Marlene wrinkles her nose. She never understood what was up with Malfoy and Fawn. The two were weird at times. They were by no means friends, but there was something there. She always called him by his first name instead of his last, which seemed more personal and he was always calling her by little pet names and staring at her as if he was slowly undressing her. It made Marlene rather disgusted, but every time she brought it up to Fawn, Fawn would simply go quiet.
"What'd he want?" Marlene asks cautiously, not wanting Fawn to clam up.
"Neville was telling people that Harry fainted." Marlene scoffs, her eyes shooting over to the boy at the Gryffindor table.
"Idiot." She mumbles.
"Don't be mean." Marlene rolls her eyes. "Neville didn't know any better."
"Which is why he's an idiot. He should have known not to say anything." Fawn sighs, brushing her red curls from her face and looking up at Marlene with her big green eyes.
"Draco was making fun of Harry and being rude to Ron and I." Rude is never what Marlene calls his and Fawn's conversations. She always considered them more as sexual harassment.
"What'd you expect. Malfoy is a prat." Fawn shrugs, looking over at the Slytherin table, causing Marlene to scowl behind Fawn's back.
"Remus showed up. He got Draco to back off. McGonagall asked to see Harry and Hermione in her office, so that's why they're not here yet."
"Hmm." Marlene says half-heartedly, her attention still fully on the blonde snake. "Fawn?"
"Yeah?" Fawn finally turned back around to face Marlene.
"Can I ask you something without you clamming up? Can you just answer honestly?"
"What is it?" Fawn asks hesitantly.
"Do you like Malfoy?" Fawn's eyes widen to the size of dinner plates. She looked absolutely shocked at Marlene's question. "Well?"
"No, of course, I don't. I can't stand Draco."
"Then why do you call him Draco and why are you always so weird around him?" Marlene pushes. Fawn blushes, her eyes falling to her plate. "Fawn, please just answer me. I'm dying to know. I've been wondering ever since I first saw you two together."
"I don't like him, Marlene. He… He scares me." Marlene's eyebrows shot up. "He is always talking to me funny and looking at me weird. It makes me uncomfortable, but I don't know what to say or do and I don't want to be rude." Marlene rolls her eyes at her sister. Fawn was nice to an extreme fault. She would smile at a person who was beating her if given the chance. No matter how mean a person is to her she will never be mean back. The thought always angered Marlene because it only made things worst for Fawn. "I call him Draco because I think it's rude to call someone by their last name if they're not your elder and if they are your elder I find it rude to drop the proper title before their name."
"Fawn…" Marlene sighs, blowing her red curls away from her face. "You are truly too kind. If Draco bothers you then stand up for yourself. It's not rude if you are protecting yourself." Fawn falls quiet, staring holes into her plate. "Fa-"
"Oh, look, the first years are here. Sorting's going to start." Fawn says, cutting Marlene off. Marlene sighs knowing that the conversation was over, but there was no way she would forget it. She will have to have a talk with Alex soon.
Alex looks up as Hermione takes a seat beside him. He gave her a smile before noticing the grins coming from the twins. He rolls his eyes and looks towards the high table where the professors all sat. He could hear Harry explaining to Ron what went on with McGonagall, but Alex's attention was on Dumbledoor who had stood up and began to speak. "Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast…" Alex sighs and rests his cheek on his hand and his elbow on the table.
"Probably about the dementors and my dad." He mumbles, causing the twins to give him a comforting smile.
"As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the Dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business." Alex gave the twins a pointed look. He still felt like crap, but he had already talked to McGonagall and got the all-clear to skip going to Poppy and just heading to the Great Hall. It wasn't the first time he dealt with a dementor and he had made sure to tell McGonagall that. Plus, he'd feel better once he got warm food into his stomach.
"They are stationed at every entrance to the ground." Dumbledore continues. "And while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises-or even Invisibility Cloaks." Alex gave Harry a grin. "It is not in the nature of a Dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I, therefore, warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the Dementors." Alex huffs as he sees Percy puff out his chest as if he is a badass. Alex understood Percy, hell, he was a lot alike Percy in the sense of brains, but he was not in any way as egotistical or self-absorbed as Percy was. He was a bit of a snob and that was why Alex couldn't stand Percy. He acted as if he was better than the twins and Alex, but he was no way near better than them.
"On a happier note," Dumbledore went on to say. "I am pleased to welcome two new teachers to pur ranks this year." Alex's smile returns. "First, Professor Lupin," Only to fall as that name was called. "Who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." A few handful people clapped, but not really enthusiastically because they have yet to met or know Remus, but those who had met him in the compartment earlier clapped with some enthusiasm. Remus looked rather shabby next to the rest of the teachers in his patched robes. A part of Alex felt bad for the man. Before everything went down, his father and James would go out of their way to take care of Remus and ensure that he had money to survive, but now that neither were around it was clear that Remus was struggling. Still, Alex could hold a grudge and he had yet to forgive Remus for his past aggression.
"Look at Snape." Ron hissed loud enough for Alex to hear, it made Alex smirk. Snape was in a foul mood and Alex knew it was because he despised Remus and the rest of the Marauders. To see one taken the job that he wanted must be killing him. If only his dad was here to take the job of potion master. That would surely torture Snape.
"As to our second new appointment," Dumbledore continued once the rather sad applause ended. "Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creature teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs."
"He was a rather poor teacher." Alex mumbles. "Clumsy old man too. Most of his limbs were the cause of his own foolishness.
"However, I am delighted to say that his placement will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties." Almost everyone at Gryffindor broke out into loud and tumultuous applause once the moment of shock wore off. Alex grins as he sees Hagrid's face turn a ruby red and a very large grin come over the half-giant's face. He was staring down at his hands with embarrassment, but everyone could see that he was ecstatic.
"We should've known." Ron roared out, pounding on the table. "Who else would have assigned us a biting book?" Alex chuckled.
"Wish I had taken Care of Magical Creatures again this year." He says. "It sure to be more interesting than when I had taken in last year." Hermione laughs, smiling at Alex with obvious joy. A lot of people love Hagrid, so they were all so happy to hear this news.
"Well, I think that's everything of importance," Dumbledore says once the noise quieted down. Hagrid tried to discreetly wipe his eye on the tablecloth, but Alex saw it and it only made his smile grow. Hagrid might look scary, but he was a big softy. "Let the feast begin!" With those words, the five tables became packed with food and drink. Alex felt as if he was starving as he grabbed a little bit of everything. Dementors sure work up an appetite. He took a gulp of his pumpkin juice and saw Harry looking just as starve.
"Alex, I wanted to talk to you about something." Hermione says quietly as they ate.
"Hmm, what is it?" He asks before taking a bite of his mashed potatoes.
"McGonagall gave me this." She whispered in his ear before discreetly showing him the time turner under the table. His eyes widen in surprise for a moment.
"Why did she give you that? Students are not allowed to use those." He whispers back.
"She saw all the classes I wanted to take." This made Alex grin.
"You signed up for all the electives, didn't you?" Hermione turns bright red.
"Well, they were all so interesting. I didn't want to have to choose, Alex." He chuckles, an affectionate smile on his face.
"If only you had my photographic memory then you could have very well taken two electives and completed them each year." This made Hermione huff.
"By the time you make it to your seventh year, you'll have no classes to take." Alex shrugs, covering her hand with his to hide the time turner.
"Just don't let anyone know you have that. Not even Harry or Ron. You know they'll want to use it and time is a fickle thing. You shouldn't mess with it unless necessary." He whispers, causing her to nod.
"I won't. I promise." He smiles.
"Good. If you need help with any of your classes just let me know, okay?" She nods.
"Okay, thank you, Alex." He nods, shooting her another smile before turning back to his meal. When he looked at the twins again they had matching grins. Alex huffs, choosing to ignore their teasing eyes and focus on his dinner.
Only once dinner was done and it was time for bed did the group have time to talk with Hagrid. "Congratulations, Hagrid!" Hermione squealed. She and the others had practically raced up to the high table to talk with him. Alex, Marlene, Fawn, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had all gone up to him.
"All down ter you six," Hagrid wipes his shining face on his napkin. "Can' believe it… great man, Dumbledore… came straight down to me hut after Professor Kettleburn said he'd had enough… It's what I always wanted." Fawn smiles as he buries his face in his napkin.
"You'll make for a great, teacher, Hagrid. You were made for this job." She tells him a sweet voice, causing him to let out a rather howling sob, Alex had to bite his lip to keep from laughing. Hagrid was such a softy.
"Alright, all of you, off to bed." McGonagall says, shooing them off.
The six make their way of the Great Hall, Marlene and Fawn pausing to say goodbye to their friends and brother. "I guess we'll see you around." Marlene sighs. "I'll probably only see you in between classes, but good luck tomorrow. Have a goodnight." She says before making her way down the hall to the Hufflepuff common room.
"I'll see you three in Herbology no doubt. Bye Aly." Fawn gives Alex a hug, while he rolls his eyes and hugs her back.
"See yeah, little doe. Stay out of trouble this year."
"Hypocrite." He laughs as she pulls away, gives them all one last smile and heads off after her sister.
"Are you going to stay out of trouble this year, Alex?" Hermione asks, causing Alex to laugh.
"Are you actually asking me that, Mione? You already know the answer." He tells her before heading off ahead of them.
AN: I edited the first chapter, fixed some grammar and spelling errors, I got rid of somethings and added in others, but overall it's still the same, so don't worry about rereading it. I am working on the third chapter, but it's only partially done. It takes me a while to write the chapters because I can't do it in one sitting. I'll try not to take as long as I did for this one, but I can't promise anything. Just know that I will update as soon as I can. I hope you enjoy seeing more of how my characters are. I made sure to add to their development and expand on their personalities.