The morning of September 1st was a rather hectic one. Mrs. Evans was double-checking that the girls had all of their items. Mr. Evans was loading up the trunks into the car. Petunia had been sulking in the corner for the past hour and hadn't talked to Lily since the day before. Amaryllis was internally panicking behind her calm facade and her twin was about to burst with excitement, but would occasionally throw worried glances at Petunia.
"Isn't this exciting?" Lily whispered to Amara. The blonde looked over at her twin, who was grinning happily and nodded. "Why aren't you more excited?"
"I'm worried about Petunia." Amaryllis half-lied. She was worried, but she was mostly panicked.
"You noticed it, too? Has she said anything to you?" Lily asked. "Like," The redhead blinked innocently at her twin. "why she's been avoiding me?" Amaryllis shook her head, taking a step back from her sister.
"Uh-uh. I'm not touching that." Amara mumbled, referring to their problems. Lily groaned because her twin withheld information as to why her eldest sister was irritated.
"Come on girls! Into the car!" Mrs. Evans shouted. Amaryllis gripped her extra bag and bolted to the car. The blonde sat on the window seat when the car door opened.
"Move to the middle," Petunia commanded. Amara knew better than to argue, so she moved. Petunia sat on her right and Lily appeared and sat on her left. Amaryllis mentally groaned at the light tension in the back of the car.
Amara sighed in relief when she safely passed through the barrier to Platform 9 & 3/4, glad that she hadn't smashed into a wall. Her parents were looking around the platform with awe, and her sisters were off to the side. Lily finally figured out that Petunia was upset with her.
"We're off to Hogwarts." A voice giggled -creepily- in her ear. Amaryllis jumped and Dorcas let out a cackle. "What's red and other blondie arguing about?" She asked, looking over Amara's shoulder. Amaryllis shrugged, not wanting to join that conversation.
"Amara tell her." Lily's words made the blonde internally curse. Amaryllis slowly turned around, seeing her twin gripping Petunia's hand without her consent. "Tell her we'll try to convince the Headmaster to let her come." Lily cried out, pleadingly.
"I-don't-want-to-go!" Petunia said, forcefully. "You think I want to go to a stupid castle and learn to be a-a-" Her pale blue eyes traveled around the platform, taking in everything. "You think I want to be a-" She cut herself off once more when her gaze met Amaryllis'. Petunia swallowed her words down as she realised how much of an impact they would be on her younger sister. To Lily, it would hurt, of course, but there were other things that made her special. Petunia's mind went back to all the times Amaryllis had -secretly- cried, whispering about how never would she be special, never would she be important. 'This makes her feel special.' Petunia thought, solemnly. She let out a shaky sigh as she clenched her fist. "I've... I've already tried Lily. There isn't anything you can do, So-just-drop-it." Petunia darted back to where their parents were, but a hand stopped her halfway.
"I'll miss you, Petunia," Amara muttered, offering a small smile. Petunia rolled her eyes and pulled her sister into a hug. "You're turning me into a softy," Petunia whispered, knowing that if it weren't for Amaryllis, she would have easily told Lily what was on her mind.
Dorcas was saying her goodbyes to her parents, so she didn't ruin their sister bonding moment. Lily, however, was watching them from where she stood with a sad frown. Tears built up in her eyes and she gave her parents a quick goodbye before running to the train.
Dorcas happily skipped along the corridors of the Hogwarts Express, with Amaryllis lagging behind her. "Where do we sit?" Amara asked, looking into some compartments filled with students.
"Well, Snivellus is heading into that compartment, so it's safe to say that your sister is in there," Dorcas answered, smirking. Amaryllis rolled her eyes and gave her friend a pointed look.
"Don't call him that. He might not be the most likable person, but..." She trailed off, not knowing an excuse. This made Dorcas laugh as she pulled Amaryllis to the blonde paused in the doorway when she saw the tear-stained face of her sister, who was half-smiling. Sitting across from her was Severus, who hadn't taken notice of Dorcas or her.
"You'd better be in Slytherin," Severus said, seeming enthusiastic. Amara rolled her eyes as she took her seat opposite of Dorcas.
"Slytherin?" The boy beside Dorcas in the compartment asked. Amara looked at him and the first thing she noticed was the unruly black hair. His clothes seemed expensive, Amaryllis deduced, and he was obviously well-cared-for, possibly spoiled. "Who wants to be in Slytherin? I think I'd leave wouldn't you?" He asked the boy opposite of him, who was sitting by Amaryllis. His question made Amara roll her eyes, again, and tune out of the conversation. Her gaze traveled over to Lily, who was 'discreetly' looking at her. She moved her gaze back to the boy who was making a hand gesture similar to holding an imaginary sword.
"... Like my dad."
Amara hadn't been paying attention to his words, but Dorcas was. The brunette let out a mixture of a snort and a laugh. The boy's head snapped in both her and Severus' direction.
"Got a problem with that?" The boy asked his question to Dorcas and Severus. Dorcas just smiled, holding her hands up in defence.
"No." Severus sneered, slightly. "If you'd rather be brainy than brawny-"
"Where were you hoping to go, seeing as you're neither?" Interrupted the boy beside Amaryllis.
"Too true." Dorcas snickered. Both boys roared with laughter, Dorcas chuckling softly, and Amaryllis rolled her eyes -they should've rolled out of their sockets by now- at their antics. Lily stood up, looking at both boys with dislike, and sending a small glare to Dorcas.
"Come on, Severus, let's find another compartment." Lily snapped.
"OOOOO..." The boys imitated Lily's voice between their laughs.
Lily stopped in the compartment doorway and looked over at her sister. "Aren't you coming?" She asked, quietly. Amaryllis avoided looking at her sister as she shook her head.
"See ya, Snivellus!" Dorcas chirped, happily, as the compartment door slammed shut. Her use of nickname made the boys erupt into laughter, once more. Amaryllis scooted closer to the window and leaned her head against the glass, just like her twin had earlier.
"Not bad." Congratulated the boy beside Dorcas. "I'm James Potter." He stuck out his hand for Dorcas to shake. "Dorcas Meadowes." The brunette replied, hesitantly shaking his hand.
"Sirius Orion Black the Third." said the grey-eyed boy across from James.
"Who's that then?" James whispered, not so quietly, pointing to Amara. Dorcas subtly kicked Amaryllis in the shin, knowing the blonde knew it was her turn to introduce herself. Amara sighed, her breath creating a fog on the glass, and she turned her head to them.
"Amaryllis Evans, a pleasure to meet you." Both her voice and her face were void of emotion contradicting with her words. Her pale blue eyes were like ice and James involuntarily shivered. Amaryllis turned into her former position and stared at the passing countryside.
"Uh-oh," Dorcas muttered. "Don't bother her," She hissed in warning, noticing how Sirius was about to poke Amara. "She's either super annoyed or mad, right now."
Dorcas scooted closer to the window after her warning. Sirius sent James a questioning glance, which the boy mouthed 'She's crazy' in response. Sirius shrugged and the two began a heated discussion about Quidditch.
"You okay?' Dorcas asked Amaryllis. The blonde looked at her before shrugging. "Is it about Lily?" Amaryllis made a gesture that meant she was half-right. "Do you want to talk about it?"
'Maybe later.' Amaryllis mouthed. Dorcas nodded in understanding and opened her Pumpkin Pastie. "Try it," Dorcas whispered with a grin. Amaryllis hesitantly took the treat from her outstretched hand. "Eat the sweet already." Dorcas snapped after a long pause. Amaryllis smiled sarcastically -don't ask how- and took a bite out of the treat. "Is it good?" Dorcas questioned. Amaryllis stared at her blankly as she chewed, making Dorcas shoot her a glare. "You just cursed at me in your head, didn't you?"
"Your attitude changes are hard to keep up with," Dorcas mumbled as Amaryllis sent her an excited smile. The blonde paid no attention to her words and pulled Dorcas in the direction of a -half-giant shouting, "First years over here!"
"Is that a..." Amaryllis trailed off.
"Hagrid is a half-giant. My cousin said he is super nice." Dorcas whispered after passing Hagrid. They were the first to sit down in their boat, Amaryllis viewed the crowd of children. "Your sister is over there." Dorcas pointed to a boat that was several boats over.
"Those boys are purposely annoying them," Amaryllis mumbled. James and Sirius plopped down into the same boat as her sister and Severus. They were rocking the boat back and forth, not allowing the other two to exit.
"Do you mind if we sit?" A tall boy with light brown hair asked. He was slightly pale and had a few scars on his face. The boy next to him was shorter than Amaryllis and had mousy brown hair.
"Sure, sit down!" Amaryllis exclaimed in a welcoming voice, making Dorcas do a double-take. "Hullo, my name is Amaryllis Evans, it's nice to meet you." She extended her hand to the taller boy.
"Remus Lupin, nice to meet you too." He mumbled, shyly, shaking her hand. Amaryllis then extended her hand to the shorter boy as Dorcas -loudly- introduced herself to Remus.
"Peter P-Pettigrew." He stuttered, clearly nervous. Amara sent him a smile as she gently shook his hand. "Nice to meet you."
Dorcas nudged Amaryllis in her side while the boat was gliding across the lake. "What the heck was that? Amara, you've never been so 'cheerful' while introducing yourself. How nervous are you?" Dorcas whisper-yelled, knowing the boy would hear them if she was too loud.
"I'm completely freaking out," Amara replied, calmly. A smile was on her face, but her eyes were wider than usual and panic flooded them. "There are millions of things that can go wrong. I can embarrass myself in front of everyone. The professors might say that it was a mistake that I got my Hogwarts letter. They could send me hom-"
Smack!
"Snap out of it!" Dorcas yelled, in addition to slapping Amaryllis. The blond shook the negative thought from her head, ignoring the stinging feeling on her cheek.
"Thanks, I needed that," Amaryllis whispered.
The two boys, who were also in the boat, just tried to wrap their heads around the scene they witnessed. Peter shook his head and mumbled, "Girls.." despite being incredibly nervous as well. Remus had a look of understanding, knowing the girl was muggle born -based on her reaction when the boats moved on their own- and nervous.
The four children heard Hagrid telling them to duck their heads. When they lifted their heads again, collective gasps were heard from -almost- all of the boats. The newcomers gawked at the magnificent -no word could give it justice- castle. Amaryllis' nerves temporarily ceased as she gazed at the castle in awe.
"Beautiful." Amaryllis breathed out. Dorcas nodded, closing her dropped jaw.
"It just occurred to me that we're going to be living in this castle for -most of- the next 7 years," Dorcas said, loud enough for all the boat occupants to hear.
"It w-will take me s-seven years to l-learn my way a-around the cas-castle." A voice -Peter- stuttered, making everyone else nod in agreement.
The group of eager first-years chattered nervously as they waited for the doors to the Great Hall to open. Amaryllis and Dorcas were several students away from Lily and Sniv- *cough* Severus. Lily was rocking on the heels of her shoes as Severus tried convincing her that Slytherin was the best house to get into. Amaryllis pushed her way through several students to get to Lily with Dorcas tagging along.
"Lily, good luck." Amaryllis mumbles. Lily's eyes widened in surprise, but she still set her sister a smile, giving her and Dorcas a 'Good luck' as well. Amara's eyes flickered to Severus, who was ignoring their presence. "Good luck to you too, Severus," Amara added. His expression remained blank -if you didn't count the slight widening of his eyes- and nodded his head to Amaryllis -not Dorcas-. (Dorcas' note: I wouldn't accept his nod anyway.)
McGonagall led the first-years into the Great Hall. Amaryllis looked up at the ceiling and remembered reading about how it is enchanted to look like the sky in 'Hogwarts: A History'. Her eyes traveled over to a stool with a hat placed on it. 'So that's what sorts us?' Amara wonders. 'Perhaps there's a charm or enchantme-' Her thoughts were cut off when the hat burst into song. Most of the other first years jumped at that while Amaryllis grinned, her suspicions confirmed.
After the hat finished its song, McGonagall began calling names off of a parchment. "Abbot, Violet." A short girl with black hair cut into a bob walked forward. McGonagall placed the hat on her head and after a few seconds it called out,
"Ravenclaw!"
And so the sorting began...