Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I do not own anything Harry Potter, or anything J.K. Rowling has claimed as hers. I take credit for all else : )

"Watch where you're going," I tensely told the body of whoever just ran into me.

"I'm completely sorry. I didn't see you. What's a fine lady like you by herself?" An all too familiar boy's voice said.

My eyes traveled up into the clear dark blue eyes of Sirius Black.

Sirius Black calling me a fine lady? Maybe I really have changed, or maybe he just says that to all the girls he runs into.

"Doing some last minute shopping," I replied with more ease than I would have 3 months previously.

"Need some company?" He asked casually.

"Uh… Actually I'm fine. Maybe I'll catch you later at the Three Broomsticks." I said with the utmost confidence. Though no, my insides still had to be all mushy. And the butterflies still had to flutter their wings.

"Maybe, see you," He said with a wink as he walked off. He looks just as good walking away as he does standing there talking to me.

I stood there for a second, not completely realizing I just had a 4 sentence conversation with him. That's the most I've spoken to him at once then I have the past 6 years. Amazing what a summer can do for you. I'm just glad I got out of that before I really botched up the conversation.

I hurried over to Flourish and Blotts, and made my way over to find all my school books for the year. As I made my way down an aisle looking intensely at the selves, I almost fell again for the second time today! After gaining my balance I looked to see golden orbs staring at me in concern.

"Are you alright?" said the boy in a hushed tone, as if he was in the library. Ah, now I recognized him. Another Marauder to add to the people I've fallen for today, (Pun. Laugh, it's funny : ) Remus Lupin. He was the only studious one of the group. He kept order within the group. And he had grown to be a handsome gentleman, not gorgeous like Sirius, but still not bad.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm getting used to falling today." I smiled at him showing I was fine.

Remus was giving me a questioning look, so I explained my run in with Sirius. He just smiled.

"Sirius tends to not watch where he's going. He's always in a rush for nothing. I just wish some days he'd settle down and not be the same hyper boy he was the first day we met." Remus said with a sigh.

"How was he when you guys first met?"

"Oh, probably the most unruly boy I've ever met, but I don't think I was much better. I just had manners enough to not drive everyone completely nuts with my antics. The first time I saw him he was running away from his two lovely parents, knocking down at least half the people he passed. I don't think I heard one 'Excuse me' as he ran. I get him more, but I just can't fathom that he has yet to mature too much. Sorry, I'm getting on a bit of a rant here." He took a quick breathe taking a moment to think.

"Sorry, not to sound rude, but do you go to Hogwarts, because I don't think I've ever seen you there."

"Why, yes I do. I'm Elizabeth Stark. I'm in Gryffindor with you I believe," trying not to sound disappointed that he didn't know me.

"Oh, Elizabeth! Of course I know you. You're in my year also. You've definitely changed over summer. A good change nonetheless." He gave a shy smile and continued. "We'll Elizabeth, I hate to end this chat, but I prior engagements else where. I hope to see this school year." He gave a curt nod and smiled, then strode out of the store, appearing to head towards the Shrieking Shack, named for its supposed ghouls, and ghosts that occupy it. Nobody ever has the guts to venture there and actually see what makes all those ghastly noises though.

I grabbed all my books, paid, then made my way to Madame Malkins, to buy robes. I tried to make this as quickly as possible. I am not big on robes or actually shopping in general. As I make my way out of there, I notice an all too familiar head of dark curls ahead.

"VITA," I yell out to her, while running at her.

"Liz? LIZ! Oh my goodness I thought you died after the second owl you didn't respond to. I adore your hair. It's definitely way cute, and a total step up from your last hair. And make-up! Is Miss Elizabeth LuAnn Stark wearing make-up?! I can't believe this, I leave you alone for 2 months and you completely change yourself. You can't do this to me. You'll put me into shock, and..." All saying this while embracing me in a hug, pulling me back to look at me, and again another hug.

"And I should learn to consult my best friend before ever doing anything in my life, right?" I say coyly as I cut her off, so she could maybe take a breath and not actually go into a panic arrest.

"I decided I needed a change. It was just one of my goals for the summer, and by your reaction, it seems I succeeded," I laughed. My lovely friend still had a huge grin on her face.

"Well I'm glad you did it. You look amazing. And I have a feeling you'll be breaking a few hearts this year with the glances we are getting this way." She said motioning to a few boys who kept an eye towards our way.

"You know the yelling and the hugging, and the squealing wouldn't have anything to do with somebody looking our way or anything," I smirk at her knowing I must be right.

"Whatever. You know you're gorgeous, so let's go flaunt it. Off to the Three Broomsticks we shall go!" She says as she grabs my hand and pulls me along. As we step into the building, we walk straight in front of Hogwarts favorite boys, the Marauders.

I guess they weren't going to the Shrieking Shack. So maybe I should explain what, or actually who the Marauders are. They are a group of 4 infamous mischief makers at Hogwarts. There's Sirius Black. He was a heart breaker, most definitely, but I believe deep down he'll settle one day. Doesn't every girl wish that? He's notorious for his jokes, puns he does with his name, and his laugh you can hear a mile away. He can't sit still for a minute, and I think jinxing a Slytherin has become second hand to him. Sirius always took the chance when playing them at quidditch to whip the bludgers at them, as being a beater on the team.

Then there's Remus Lupin. He studies more then Marley, and that's saying something. Typically you can find his nose in the book, or laughing with or scolding at James, Sirius, or Peter. He has been known to have broken a few rules through his years with his friends. He just hasn't been able to turn them from their ways. Remus had that 'wall flower' look, and girls fell for him, but they couldn't compete with his true love, books.

James Potter, the third boy of the group. With his height, messy dark hair, and dazzling smile girls have wanted him since first year. But they were out of luck, because he only has eyes on Lily Evans. He once went on a food strike until Lily would go out with him. Too bad it only lasted about 5 minutes, for his brain listened to his stomach, not his heart.

He was an amazing chaser on the quidditch team, and loved to show off. He usually kept a snitch around him to play with, but I hadn't seen it the last couple weeks of school.

And last, but not least, Peter Pettigrew. Not so much the ladies man, but still a completely great friend of the group. I think if he lost a bit a weight and grew out his hair, he'd be adorable, but I guess he didn't go through a transformation this year. He is a real sneaky boy. Sometimes he can follow you through the whole school right behind you, and not have noticed him there. It was crazy what kind of information he had. He always put his two cents in, but normally he just agreed with the group, than argue. And he, like Remus, didn't ignore people just because they weren't in the popular group. I know I've had the occasion to have a few conversations with him.

"Elizabeth, hey, you and Vita want to join us?" Remus asked as we walked past their table.

I glanced at Vita to see if it was okay, and replied with, "Sure." So we slid in with myself next to Sirius (YES!) and Vita beside Remus.

"Ah, so the girl that fell for me this morning has a name," Sirius said with a bark of a laugh. "It's a pleasure to have made your acquaintance. Do you go to Hogwarts by chance, because I know I wouldn't have missed somebody as gorgeous as you?"

I blushed but was able to mumble out a reply "Yeah, I'm in Gryffindor, same year."

"No! You must be fibbing to me. Prongsie, old boy, have you seen this fine specimen in our common room or halls before?"

"I believe not, though I have an excuse. I have my Lily Flower to fawn after. I can't be worried about other girls. Lily would be turned off by the entirely, I think." James replied in a somewhat daze.

"Sirius, this is Elizabeth Stark. I think you sat by her in charms last year." Remus interjected, hoping to set off a reminder. He didn't want Elizabeth to be embarrassed and leave.

"Elizabeth…Oh, I know! You've changed quite a bit if my memory serves me right. You definitely did not look like that last year, or else we would've taken a few trips up to the Astronomy Tower." He said with a smile

His words stung, but I just smiled. Was I really that ugly? I can't believer he just said something with that kind of ease. Vita interrupted her thoughts.

"So, how was every body's summer?" She quickly asked noticing something was up with me.

Everybody went into depth talking about their adventures of late nights, trips into muggle towns, and lots of food eating. I just sat there hoping to find an excuse to leave at this point. Maybe I shouldn't have changed; maybe I should have stayed an ugly duckling. After a good hour sitting and talking,(with me sitting there silent, unless a direct yes or no question came toward me) Vita finally came through.

"Well sorry guys, but we have a schedule to keep, people to see, things to do." Vita said with ease.

"Awe, well it was nice to spend an afternoon with two lovely ladies. We'll definitely be seeing more of you two this school year." Sirius said with confidence. He gave us both a wink as we slid out of a booth. I breathed a sigh of relief as soon as we hit the muggy air outside.

"Sorry we didn't get out of there sooner. I could tell you were uncomfortable, but I didn't want to seem rude and just leave in on of their stories. What Sirius said was so un true. If you realized how pretty you were before any of these changes, you wouldn't have changed. All these new things have done is accenting your natural beauty, which many people are lacking." She said while giggling a little.

"Thanks," I said giving her a genuine smile. "You want to come over for the rest of the day, and catch up. Maybe see if Marley can make it over."

"Sure, sounds great. Let's go!" She said as we both ran towards The Leaky Cauldron.

A/N: Thanks so much to the ones that read and reviewed the story. It made my day to go to my mail and read that somebody took the time to read it. : ) Kudos to you guys. It gave me inspiration to write.

Now I'm sorry if this at all seems drawn out and such, but that is what I'm in the mood to write. Also a story needs a base and foundation. We are getting it now. : ) I'm in such a writing mood I'm going to go write the next chapter. And hopefully it'll be up before I leave Sunday.