Well, I am from the US. Just south of Boston, Massachsetts to be exact. My father is a medicine man in his tribe. A wizard and a Native American. He is from a long line of them. The Wampanoag Indians are a large tribe. I am 50% Native American so I am welcome among my people and help my father regularly when not away at school. My mother is a witch that works as a healer in the local hospital. I am an only child, but have a large extended family. My mother's family are No Maj. We are here to help take care of her aunt that is sick and really needs the live in help. What is a No Maj? lily looks at me with confusion and intrigue. Oh, sorry thats an american term. She is a witch born to people with no magic ability. I am not sure what you call it here. We call it muggle born, thats what I am. Does it matter in the US, like it does here? I was taken aback by this for a second. Does it matter here? I ask because I can not seem to figure out why I would be even asked that question.
Lily opens her mouth to answer but hesitates. Yes, unfortunately it matters a great deal here. I look to James to see disgust on his face. Blood purity is bloody everything to some people. There are those that would even kill for it. James, she just got here. She doesn't need to be frightened." Lily looks remorseful and a little shaken herself. I cant help but think, what did I move into. Well, back home a lot of people have No Maj's in their families. It dates back to when colonists first arrived there. There was not a lot of magical people to pick from I guess. I say this with a small smile. hoping to ease some tension. Peter catches my eye. You seem really smart, do you like school? I am thankful for the turn in conversation. Umm, yeah actually I like it a lot. I am really good at potions and Herbology, I guess that comes from my fathers side. I also love transfiguration. Potions huh? Maybe you'll give Evans a run for her money. Shut it, Black. What year are you in? I am in my last year of schooling. What about you all? James waves his hand then states they were all 7th year Gryffindors. There were a lot of questions about my school and where I came from. How Native Americans handled magic differently from the rest.
Before I knew it Lily said it was time to change into our school robes and shooed the boys out of our compartment. Locking the door behind as they left to get changed. I pulled out my plain black school robes and stated to get changed. As i had my back towards Lily and Alice I heard a gasp. Turn to see shock on their faces with a questioning look on my half yelled across the compartment at me. Is that a tattoo? Of a wolf howling at the moon? Lily looked a little pale. Yes, It is one of the indian tattoos I have. The wolf is my spirit guide. I started to get dressed. Wait, wait, wait- You have more then the one? I started laughing. Yes I have tribal bands on my ankle and a partial medicine woman tattoo on my arm so that my people know I am training to be a medicine woman. In my tribal dress these would identify me to other tribes or members that do not know me. We all finish getting dressed when there was a knock at the door. Lily lets the guys back in just as James pats Remus on the back and says there is a Prefect meeting he needs to run. Alice is just staring at me openly with a look of longing. Bloody Hell Alice its like she is food and your dying. Alice shoots Sirius a look. Then turning to me says "Did they hurt?" I smile at her awe. Not to much, the are done the old way with ink, shaft and hammer. After that it feels like a sun burn for a few days but it passes. Wow, I don't think i could sit through all that. It would be torture. offering her a half smile, We are all stronger then we believe. Sirius looks to Peter, who just seems to shrug. Ok, what are you lovely ladies talking about? Lily rolls her eye at Sirius in a friendly amused sort of way. Your going to love this Sirius. She has tattoos, not just muggle ones but Native American ones at that! Sirius turns to me with such excitement in his grey eyes. Can I see them? No, I don't think so. Why not? He seems to be pouting a bit. Lily turns to me, eyes sparkling. Maybe they are a place she cant really show you. comprehension slowly dawns on Sirius, but never on peter. Why have tattoos if not one can see them? Sirius slaps Peter on the back on the head. Oi, Wormtail! Think about it. Pete just sits and rubs the back of his head the rest of the short ride.
I watch as the train pulls into hogshead station. I stand to gather my things and head out on to the platform. Lily and Alice turn and tell me they will see me very soon and hopefully I will be placed in Gyrffindor with them. I smile at the thought. Did I make friends? The word seems almost foreign to me, I didn't have friends in school. Not really anyway. I would talk to people that needed help with something but would then soon retreat back to my books or the silence of the library. I was different and so very shy. Sometimes I could not even say hello to people. This add fuel to the rumor I was stuck up, or thought myself better then most. I was to shy to even put a stop to the rumor or answer a question in class. Upon my transfer interview my professor said that if I only had more courage and faith on myself i would go much farther in the world. I took this to heart. maybe she was right and I just needed to believe i had something to offer to people. Hogwarts was my fresh start, my chance to prove I am not just a bookworm. But maybe a great friend as well. When I was told we were moving to England to help out with my great aunt I had not even met I was pleased. Actually that is the understatement of the year. I was pissed. I was leaving my people behind, my life and my… Well I guess thats it really. Over the summer I got use to life at my Great Aunts house. She lived faraway from everything on a large farm with a ton of animals. It as quiet and full of books to read and explore. I got to know my aunt too. She told me to be genuinely interested in those you meet and everyone you meet with be interested in you. Being from a different country the interest in me will already be there, show mutual interest in them and a relationship is sure to grow. A loud yell boomed over the platform pulling me from my thoughts. "First years over here and Susan Lewis". He is the tallest hairiest man I have ever seen, which is saying something, because some Native Americans can be pretty hairy. I walked to him. He smiles down at me and I state my name. He points to a boat and tells me to sit in it until joins me.