Italics thinking

Chapter 4: New Classes and Splitting Up

"I still can't believe what that wench did to me!" Sirius grumbled at breakfast a week later. "My gorgeous face will never be the same again! And it took 5 tons of acne cream and hours of scrubbing to get all the pimples off last night and there already 2 new ones this morning!" Sirius gave grunt of disgust. The acne seemed like it would never end, he was going to have to search for a cure and fast. Even his appetite was suffering, instead of the usual two foot high pile of pancakes, he could barely stomach a one foot stack. Well, maybe one and a half.

James was sniggering and trying to eat with bad results. Remus had a book propped up against a milk jug and was trying to study, but he kept reading the same line over and over…

"Awww it'll wear of Paddy." James could barely look at Sirius without laughing. Four more zits had just appeared. Peter was silent and staring at Lizz who sat a couple seats down and across the table with Jamie and Annie. That look made Sirius really want to hex him.

There was a snort of laughter from the girls. James looked up to see Annie trying to control her laughter after she had dared a look at Sirius. James and Annie's eyes met and showed their shared mirth.

The girls got up and headed out of the Great Hall. Annie brushed past James and stuck a note in his bag while pointing out to Lizz the problem with her Charms homework.

If he becomes unbearable the anti hex is:

"Proactiva"

But don't tell Lizz I told you!

James smiled, "not going to be using this anytime soon!"

"What classes do you guys have next?" Jamie pulled out her schedule and skimmed the list, as did Lizz and Annie.

"Ancient Runes." Annie said

"Care and Keeping of Magical Creatures."

"And I have Astronomy, which looks pretty cool."

"This stinks! Why'd we decide to take different classes?" Lizz said grumpily.

"Because we thought it would be good to get away from each other and try different things," reminded Annie, "but you're right this stinks. 'sigh' We'd better get going, class starts in, like, five minutes." The girls waved a hesitant good-bye, believe it or not, they were usually very shy unless they were with people they knew and were a little nervous without each other.

"It had to be astronomy, couldn't be magical creatures on the grounds, nope, had to be a class that takes five trillion stairs to get to." Jamie grumbled as she climbed a seemingly endless staircase to get the South Tower. She walked up to a door that had a little plaque with "Astronomy" on it. She smoothed her hair and calmed her breathing. Jamie walked into a spacious room shaped like a theater, with the desks slowly getting higher around the large chalkboard so it was easy to see. At the chalkboard was a man, obviously the professor, writing down directions. Jamie was surprised to see she was first there, but maybe she had the wrong room or something. She whipped out her schedule again. Nope this is the right class, wonder where everyone is?

"Hello, I'm Professor Knightly. You may choose any seat you like, but I recommend one near the fire, it gets chilly in here." Jamie looked up at him. He was a tall middle-aged man with short black hair. It had streaks of gray in it, like his goatee. His smile was big and comforting and it reminded Jamie of her father's. He grinned and turned back to the immense chalkboard. Jamie felt her anxiety ebb a little and her smile returned. She chose a seat close to the fire, but closer to one of many immense windows. There was an excellent view of the grounds and Jamie could just see the many daydreams forming as she gazed outside. She looked back at the classroom, it was large, lofty, and round with large windows and a pointed roof, just the way she liked rooms. Room to think

"What is your name by the way?"

"Hmm, oh sorry it's Jamie Bilden."

"Hey aren't you one of the exchange students from, uhh… don't tell me.."

"California."

"Yes!" He said. Jamie nodded. "What's it like?"

"Oh, it has its pros and cons, like where I live and at Saldrons, my old school, the weather is always nice, usually between 60 and 80 degrees, but that gets really boring after sixteen years. Plus most people there are filthy rich and the egos to match!"

"That bad huh?"

"Well, not entirely. It's just kinda boring, nothing changes and everything is perfect and trimmed, including people, but there are so many lights it's a miracle if you see the stars! But then there are people like my friends Lizz and Annie who are all out of place in this fake fantasy world like me. We always wished to get away and have amazing adventures somewhere else like England. Too many books I guess."

"Well we're going to have to compensate for your lack of starlight ad adventure won't we!" He winked and Jamie smiled. Suddenly the door flew open and about fifteen students filed in. Jamie sat down and pulled out the letter she had started to Ryan and tried to finish it.

Remus was surprised to see the exchange student, Jamie Bilden, seated in his favored Astronomy spot. She had started something on a bit of parchment, but had been too distracted by the scene he knew lay outside the window. He also noticed a secret smile he was really starting to love, playing across her lips. And though he had no wish to disrupt this harmonious scene, she was sitting in his seat.

"Hello Jamie" He was still nervous about using her first name.

"Hey Remus, oh, you have Astronomy too? Awesome! It's great to have someone I know in this class. Could you help me sometimes because this is the first year I've taken it?"

"Sure, on one condition.. you give me my seat back."

"This is yours? Well.. I don't know, your help or this lovely seat, Hmmm" She had a playful grin and was jokingly weighing the invisible options in her hands. "Hmmm such a hard choice…" Remus couldn't help but smile and took the seat next to her.

"That's okay I can see better from here." He sank into the chair and caught the familiar, citrus smell again. It's coming from Jamie! I wonder why it seems so familiar. Where have I smelled that before? Where? She grinned as he sat down and glanced back out the window, it had begun to rain. Jamie loved the rain whether she was in it or not, but Lizzy…

Lizz clutched her cloak to her shivering frame as the wind cut through it and her like a knife. Stealing a glance at the dark clouds forming overhead, she picked up her pace. Where is the class? They should be around the Uric the Oddball statue near the Quidditch field, but to my excellent luck, no one's there! She stopped and looked around…, there! She saw a group of students making their way down to a hut near the Forbidden Forest so she headed after them. They knocked on the massive door and were let in. Lizz did the same, but wasn't expecting an eight foot young man to answer the door. Her feet grew roots and with mouth hanging open and breath gone, was ushered inside by a hand as large as a dinner plate on her back.

"Well come in, come in. It's gittin' a bit nippy out here ain't it? Would you like some tea? 'Ope you like hazelnut and make yourself comfortable by the fire." Lizz regained senses and the capability to breathe as he talked.

"Um yes, thank you." She looked around the hut, everything seemed to be on a larger scale than normal, and for once Lizz felt rather small. Her eyes settled on the group that she had followed, none other than the Marauders minus 1 Remus and plus 1 Vivian. Vivian hung on Sirius like some berserk my-size Barbie necklace, however Sirius sat there hardly looking at Vivian, but giving Lizz another one of his rather annoying smirks. But his zitty face upset the effect and all she could do was hold back a laugh. So Lizz went to sit down right next to the incredibly handsome James Potter.

"Hey guys" Lizz said as she plopped onto her cushion and completely ignored Sirius, turning her attention towards James.

"Hey" James said, but he pointed behind Lizz. She turned to see the tall man with her cup of tea and some biscuits, which he set on the table in front of them. Waves of warmth and relief washed over her as she sipped. It was a bit spicy and nutty and warmed her up down to her toes.

"Thanks it's really good!" The man beamed a huge smile that seemed to touch his ears. "Um.. I'm sorry but what's your name?" Lizz smiled and reached for a steaming biscuits, however James's signaling made her think otherwise

"It's Rubeus Hagrid and your welcome. If'n you're needin' anythin' let me know. Well probably be in here for awile." Lizz dropped her smile and spun to look out the window. Sheets of torrential rain pounded against it while wind whistled through the cracks. She sighed and turned back to the fire.

"Thank you again. My name is Elizabeth Lawrence."

"Nice ter meet you." She turned towards James and Peter, still refusing to make eye contact with Sirius. Peter was staring at the floorboards and Lizz felt bad for him, but he seemed to sense her stare and peeked up. Lizz gave him a little smile, but his eyes widened and returned to the floorboards

"So what class are you missing?" James moved to sit closer to her.

"Care and Keeping Of Magical Creatures. I wonder if I can make it." But glancing back at the window made her reconsider. "Guess not, never mind."

"Oh don't fret Lawrence we all have Magical Creatures too, and on days like this Professor Elton let's us go if he has nothing in particular planned." He flashed Lizz a reassuring smile. Ooo I like him. He's nice, confident, and probably looks really good in black. She flushed at her thoughts and turned and looked at Sirius. He raised his eyebrows in amusement, he seemed to know her thoughts. Vivian however didn't like not being the center of attention and kissed and Sirius. As they began snogging Lizz asked James,

"How long have they been going out" James peered over her shoulder at them.

"A couple hours"