October, 1971
The stares and snickers that welcomed me as I walked into the classroom was enough to drive me insane. But what made me survive and even smile and keep my head high was the look on my sister's fade. Veronique looked at me in disbelief and beside her her friends snickered.
I took my place with Lydia, Marlene, Lily and—even—Severus. I gave them all a nod of acknowledgement before I opened my book to the desired page. Professor McGonnagal looked at me with one eyebrow raised before saying,
"The next time you're late, Ms. Kaiser, I'll have to give you detention."
"Understood, Professor," I said.
McGonnagal nodded in approval and then continued the class. Marlene and Lydia were having a hard time trying not to stare, Severus was having an easy time, but Lily didn't even try. I knew for sure she was going to ask what happend but just then those four boys burst into the classroom, interrupting McGonnagal. Remus hasily apologized for being late, as did Peter, but Sirius and James just looked very smug.
It was then that Lily looked at me in disbelief. "They did this to you?" She whispered.
I nodded. "I'll deal with it, Lily."
"Those imbeciles," Severus said under his breath, causing me to smile.
"That's what I said."
The class continued with interference and when it ended, I stood up to leave. I was almost out the door when McGonnagal called me back inside. Lily, Marlene, and Lydia gave me sympathetic looks while those four boys looked rather proud of themselves as they left the classroom.
When it was just me and McGonnagal in the room, I turned around and walked to her desk. "Yes, Professor?"
"How are you adjusting to being in Gryffindor?" She asked. "I recall you being adamant that you don't belong here."
"I don't," I said firmly. "And I hope to prove it to you so that you might place me in Slytherin."
"I cannot do that," McGonnagal told me. "The Sorting Hat placed you in Gryffindor. There is no changing that."
I nodded after a moment, hoping that it seemed as though I was resigned to the fact. Content, McGonnagal dismissed me and I shouldered my bag as I made my way out of the room. Just as I was leaving, McGonnagal said,
"And do change before your next class. That paint is rather distracting."
I smiled and nodded before leaving the classroom, closing the door behind me. My relatively happy mood disappeared when standing outside the classroom door was no other than Remus Lupin, his hands in his pockets. I never really saw him up close and now that I was, I saw the scars on his face and the age in his eyes. His sandy-blond hair nearly covered his eyes and I saw how properly he was dressed.
"What do you want?" I asked, crossing my arms with some effort. The dried paint was making it difficult.
"I would like to aapologize for my friends actions," Remus said rather shyly. "Sirius just wanted to get back at you for telling himt to sod off back at the Sorting."
I raised an eyebrow and scoffed. "That was ages ago! Tell him to grow up."
I bumped his shoulder when I moved past him and I was almost certain he would let me go, but then he ran to catch up with me.
"Peter said you wanted to talk with us," Remus said. "What did you want to talk about?"
Realizing I wouldn't be able to get rid of him, I stopped walking and faced him. I realized then that I was very short compared to him.
"I need access to the restricted section of the library," I said in a hushed tone. "I figured you and your friends would be able to help me."
At this, Remus smiled. "We can, if you want. I can convince them to help. Trust me."
I looked at him in amusement. "All right." My face turned serious and I jabbed a finger at his chest. "But if there are any more pranks, I'm turning all of you into frogs."
Not waiting for him to reply, I spun on my heal and walked away, back to the dorms. I needed to change before my next class. However, I was secretly excited. If those boys got me access to the restricted section. I was one step closer to becoming a Slytherin.
When I arrived at the dorms, I thought I would be able to change in peace, but that was soon impossible as I found Veronique waiting for me, arms crossed and her green eyes filled with rage.
"What the hell is your problem?!?!" She asked. "You completely embarressed me in front of my friends!"
My nostrils flared. "First of all, language. Second of all, did you think I wanted to show up to class covered in paint?!?! Seriously, Veronique! Get over yourself!"
"I'm telling Mother and Father," Veronique declared as she pushed past me.
I heard her mutter a swear word in French and my anger only grew. When she was gone, I collapsed on my bed and screamed into my pillow. After releasing all my anger, I decided it was time to take care of my appearance.
When I washed off all the paint and when I successfully changed robes, I worked on my hair. It was still wet so I tied it into a braid which fell to below my waist. As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I focused on my blue-grey eyes and round face. Unlike my siblings, Mother and Father all but told me that I did not inherent the good looking genes. I was nothing like my siblings in appearance and that wasn't a good thing according to my parents. I also wasn't like them in personality, and that wasn't a good thing either.
Nothing seemed to please my parents, except of course getting sorted into Gryffindor. But even then, they were hoping for Slytherin, to please their fellow Pure-Blood friends, like the Malfoys and Blacks.
Deciding I was just feeling sorry for myself, I pushed those thoughts away and went to my second class. On the way, I met up with Lily, Marlene, Lydia, and Severus. As we walked, Lily was expressing her anger.
"I cannot beleive those boys. Don't worry, Reesa, I'll make sure they—"
"Lily," I interrupted. "I'll take care of it. Don't worry."
"Careful with those imbeciles," Severus muttered under his breath. "If you want help, I know some Slytherins who would want to help, including myself. Because you never know what prank those boys will spring next."
"Thank you, Severus. But," I began, "They got me once, and they won't get me again. Trust me."
