DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING EXCEPT FOR ANNELISE! : (

This chapter is a little shorter than what I usually try to do but I am going to try and get through 1978 and part of 1979 very quickly so that the plot can actually pick up and get going.

CHAPTER TWO-

FALL OF 1978

King's Cross Station was just as busy as usual and Annelise was not happy about going back to school this year. For the first time she was going to be there alone. James, Lily, Sirius and Remus were all gone. Even Alice and Frank had long since graduated. She knew some of the girls in her year but she had always seemed to gravitate towards her brother and his friends. She was kicking herself for that now.

Remus had been gone doing Order work for Dumbledore ever since the wedding, James and Lily were still off on their honeymoon and Sirius was the only one who was available to take her to the station since Peter had been quite absent lately. Sirius guided her down the platform with ease, many of the witches that he had previously dated or who had thought he was sexiness incarnate waved to him or tried to talk to him as he passed by. Sirius, dressed in his new robes from the Auror Academy, just nodded and smiled as they moved on to the front of the train.

"I can't believe my little brainy sister is Hogwarts' new Head Girl. Have I told you that I'm proud?" Sirius asked.

Annelise rolled her eyes, "Only about twenty times in the past two hours Sirius."

Sirius smiled, "Well, just you wait until Lily and James get back from Europe. I guarantee that Lily will throw you the greatest party for becoming Head Girl. She'll be so happy that you are following in her footsteps. Who better to replace her than her own best friend that she trained since your first year?"

"Oh come off it Sirius," Annelise laughed, "And you make sure that you tell me as soon as Lily and James get back. I have missed those two and I want to hear all about their trip."

"Oh trust me. I think Lily will be storming the grounds so that she can have a gossip session with you. After almost two months with James I think she'll be dying for some girl time," Sirius told her.

"You make her spending time with James sound painful Sirius," Annelise chuckled, "I think she's probably having the time of her life."

Sirius snorted, "Oh I don't doubt that."

Annelise rolled her eyes, choosing to ignore her brother, "Anyways, I want a weekly report from you. I still can't believe that you and the rest of the gang won't be here this year. It is going to be so lonely without all of you. I don't know what I am going to do with myself."

Sirius said, "Oh you'll have a great year. You finally have some space and won't have to deal with me every day. But just so you know- I will still kick anyone's ass if they mess with you. I'm just a floo call away."

"I know," Annelise said.

"I'm going to miss you too Anna," Sirius said, "And Remus told me to tell you congratulations and good luck this year."

Annelise looked down at the ground as Sirius said this. After their almost kiss at the wedding the two had not spoken. It was not for lack of trying on Annelise's part. Soon after the wedding Remus had gone on assignment which was not unusual however, her unanswered letters were. The only thing that kept her sane and that assured her that he was okay was that he was always writing to Sirius and presumably to Lily, James and possibly Peter if he ever bothered to come around anymore.

Things had been off between them and Annelise missed Remus. She had always known that she loved Remus. He had been the one friend that had really seemed to understand her. She thought that when things had progressed at the wedding that maybe finally he realized how she felt and returned her affection- but of course she knew it was ridiculous. Why would Remus ever fall for a girl that Annelise was pretty sure fell into the character of annoying friend's little sister.

"Alright, I think I should get on the train now," Annelise sighed as the whistle blew, "Head Girl duties and all that."

"Of course," Sirius smirked, "Who would have thought that a Black could ever turn out to be such a ruddy goody-two shoes."

"Oh shut it," Annelise rolled her eyes.

"Who's the nerdy bloke that gets to be Head Boy this year?" Sirius asked.

Annelise replied, "I'll have you know that it's Jamie McKinnon. Speaking of the McKinnon's, have you talked to Marlene lately? And what are you talking about? James was Head Boy and he was far from a nerd!"

Sirius' smile fell, "No. She won't talk to me."

Annelise muttered, "What else is new?"

The whistle blew again and Annelise gave Sirius a hug and one last kiss on the cheek, "You better write me every week you know?"

Sirius agreed, "Have you ever known me to skimp on my letter?"

Annelise laughed, "Well Lily would be appalled if she saw how sickeningly short your letters were. I'll see you at Christmas."

Sirius winked, "Oh I'm sure you'll see me before that."

Annelise grinned, "Don't do anything stupid you old mutt."

Sirius barked, "Old mutt? Snarky little brat!"

Annelise made to shut the door but Sirius interrupted her, "Oh and Anna? Give Remus a little time. As bad as this is going to sound, it's not you it's him. He needs to sort himself out."

Annelise bit her lip and nodded, "Talk to you soon Sirius."

She slid the door closed and made her way to the Head compartment as the train pulled away from the station and began its journey to Hogsmeade Station for a year that no one would be forgetting for a very long time.