A/N: Thanks so much for all of the reviews, favorites and follows last chapter. I really appreciate the feedback. Here's the next chapter, in which we meet the rest of our cast of characters. Enjoy!
Chapter 2: Seeds of Friendship
"Go on, have a pasty," said Harry, who had never had anything to share before or, indeed, anyone to share it with. It was a nice feeling, sitting there with Ron, eating their way through all Harry's pasties, cakes, and candies (the sandwiches lay forgotten)."
― Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
To Remus Lupin, the train to Hogwarts, which should have been full of wonder and excitement, was full of worry and questions knocking around his head, stirring anxiety in his heart. The encouragements from Albus Dumbledore that there would be no problem with Remus' condition seemed so dull in his mind compared to the fearful voices that plagued him.
What if someone finds out about what you are?
A monster.
That's what you are, Remus. A monster now.
No one would come near you if they knew.
Remus shifted in his seat, fidgeting with his robe. He glanced around at the other occupants of the compartment, as if he thought they could hear his thoughts. A tall, gangly boy who looked about his age sat in the corner, asleep against the window. And a short boy with a mousy face whom he could have mistaken for younger than him sat next to the compartment door, knees bouncing restlessly. At least someone else was nervous.
The short boy caught Remus' watchful gaze and gave a tentative smile. "I-I've never been this far away with home without someone I know. What about you?"
Remus shook his head. Since the incident, he was kept very close to home indeed. Being without his parents was disorienting and frightening to say the least.
"I guess a lot of us first years haven't." the boy looked around. "I hear it's very safe though."
You might not think that if you knew what I was, Remus thought but he kept his thoughts to himself.
"I'm Peter, by the way," the boy piped. "Peter Pettigrew. I'm a half blood. Dad's a wizard but mum's an accountant. Er… sorry, if I'm bothering you. I talk a lot when I'm… well, I talk a lot."
"It's fine." Remus smiled. He figured he should be friendly for as long as he could. "I'm Remus Lupin."
"Nice to meet you." Peter brightened at the response, and the smile seemed only to loosen his tongue further. "Find all your books alright? It sure was a lot. But some of them look really interesting. I've already begun to read about Transfiguration. I can't wait to begin. What are you interested in?"
Remus found the boy's enthusiasm oddly comforting and he became more willing to talk. "Defense against the Dark Arts. Though Transfiguration sounds interesting as well. I've scanned a few of the books myself." An understatement. He'd read the entirety of two of them already. Maybe he hadn't comprehended every word, but he couldn't stop himself. He'd always been a fast reader, and bright for his age.
"I love books. I really do." Peter nodded. "But I don't think I'm quite suited to Ravenclaw. I'm a slow reader. Not as bright as them." He fidgeted. "I hope I'm not in Hufflepuff. It would be a real embarrassment to my Dad, I'm sure. I hear Hufflepuffs never go on to do anything."
Remus nodded absently in agreement, though he would be perfectly fine with Hufflepuff. He just wanted to be able to stay at Hogwarts. He wanted to pretend, at least in the light of day, that he was a normal wizard child, like any other.
As much as he worried about being found out and being shunned, the prospect of solitude did not scare him. It was the prospect of being asked to leave that tore at his gut.
"I'd rather be in Hufflepuff than Slyherin," the boy who was asleep at the window had woken up. "I hear they're a nasty lot. Better to be with nobodies than with folks like that. I hear that most wizards who go dark come from there." He held out a hand to Remus. "I'm Frank, by the way. Frank Longbottom."
"Nice to meet you." Remus tentatively accepted the hand. "I'm Remus."
"Peter." Peter piped, also shaking Frank's hand. "So where would you go, Frank? Which house?"
"My parents were Gryffindors. I think I'd like to go there." Frank rested his arms behind his head. "I'm not much of a learner anyway, so I wouldn't want to go to Ravenclaw. Did you know that to get into the common room, you have to answer a riddle? I'd be in the hall all night!"
"Sounds hard." Peter said and Remus nodded, though he didn't entirely agree. Answering a riddle didn't sound so bad.
"What do Gryffindors have to do to get in?" he asked curiously.
"Oh, there's just a password. Their hall is guarded by the Fat Lady's Portrait. She's been there for ages." Frank said. "Not so hard at all. My guess is that not all people who go to Gryffindor are the brainiest. Nothing wrong with that. I mean, neither am I." He shrugged.
"You can be brave and smart though." Remus speculated.
"Guess so." Frank said.
"I like the sound of Gryffindor," Peter said. "Maybe we'll all end up there?"
"Well, I don't hate any of you yet, so I wouldn't mind it." Frank grinned. Remus couldn't help but smile.
The compartment door opened and Remus turned to see a girl their age standing there, looking breathless. She had long dark hair and big brown eyes. "Hello. I-I don't mean to bother, but I wondered if there was room in this cabin." She looked over her shoulder. "I was in another cabin but it got very loud and a little too crowded for me. You seem a bit quieter."
"Sure." Frank gestured to the seat next to him. "Plenty of room. What's your name?"
"Alice Fortesue. I'm a first year." The girl sat down gratefully, relaxing as soon as she did.
"Us too." Frank said. "I'm Frank. And that's Remus and Peter. We were just talking about the houses at Hogwarts."
"Oh, yes." Alice nodded eagerly. "I haven't thought much about it myself. I've been too excited. Haven't been able to sleep well for a week. I guess in all the clamor I didn't think about what house I would be in." She smiled brightly. Remus thought she was a very friendly girl, the kind of friendly that didn't take work. It was just natural and it flooded to every corner of her smile. "I suppose the sorting hat knows best, right?"
"That it does." Frank nodded.
The trolley, a cart lined with all manner of sweets, came by at that moment, pushed by a plump woman with a kind smile. They all swarmed the cart, nerves taken away by the sight of sweets. Remus was delighted to see so much chocolate and he purchased two chocolate frogs for himself. They had always been his favorite.
They sat in the compartment for the rest of the ride, comparing cards and taking turns trying Frank's package of Bertie Botts Every Flavored Beans. Peter ended up the unluckiest when he tasted an earwax flavored one and spat it right back out. Remus laughed, feeling his nervousness melt away completely for the first time in weeks.
Friendship and chocolate had a funny way of doing that.
Narcissa wandered the length of the train for a long while, running her fingers nervously through her blonde hair. It had taken some effort to escape Bellatrix. As much as Narcissa adored her sister, some of her friends, especially the older ones, scared her. They were tall, imposing and carried dark looks on their faces when they talked.
Bella was brave. She never feared older students even if they were much bigger than her. She could speak to anyone with a confident look on her face. But Narcissa was not the same way. Quiet and shy amongst crowds, she needed a less crowded compartment, perhaps with people more her own age, in order to avoid shrinking into herself.
Most of the compartments were full, except for one near the back. Only one girl sat inside, her nose in a book. She had silvery blonde hair and grey eyes, trained intently on the pages, scanning so fast that Narcissa wondered if she was actually reading the words. She had quite an intense look about her, but at least she was quiet. Narcissa opened the compartment door.
"Is… is this compartment open?"
The girl glanced up, looking disoriented for a moment, as if she hadn't expected to run into any people on this train. Then her lips twitched into a small smile. "Yes. Of course."
"Good." Narcissa breathed a sigh of relief and moved into the compartment, sitting down across from the girl.
"How long has the train been moving?" the girl asked, looking out the window curiously.
Narcissa stared at her. "Er, thirty minutes maybe? Not very long."
"I didn't notice." The girl shook her head. "I was a bit absorbed. I'm surprised you're the first one to try to sit here. I must have scared the others off. I'm told I look very… focused when I'm reading."
"You do." Narcissa agreed. "I didn't want to disturb you. But all the other compartments are rather full."
"Don't worry. I didn't mean to read for this long. I just wanted to read a few pages and then I got lost. Oh," The girl held out her hand. "I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Stella Reed."
"Narcissa Black." Narcissa accepted Stella's hand. "That's a pretty name."
"Thank you, so is yours." Stella said. "I've never met a Narcissa before."
"Neither have I. It's not a common name." Narcissa smiled. This girl was nice. She had a very calm air about her. Very pleasant. "What year are you?"
"A first-year." Stella said.
"Really?" Narcissa's eyebrows shot up.
"Does that surprise you?" Stella asked.
"A bit. I just… most of the other first years are so loud today. Or nervous. You seem like you've done this before." Narcissa managed.
"No." Stella shook her head. "I am nervous, I suppose. I haven't thought about it much. And I'm still a little disoriented from reading. Maybe it will hit me in an hour or so." She shifted in her seat, closing her book and setting it delicately on the seat beside her. "And you? Are you nervous?"
"Very." Narcissa nodded. "Not about my house. I mean, I know for sure I'll be in Slytherin. My whole family has been in Slytherin for generation. But, it's a big place, you know? Lots of crowds. I get nervous sometimes in crowds."
"I do too." Stella smiled. "Is that why it took you so long to find a car?"
"Yes." Narcissa jerked her fingers through her hair. "I was with my sister but she has a lot of friends and it was a bit… too much. You're much quieter."
"I'm told I have a talent for quiet," Stella said. "Not always in a nice way."
"I think it can be nice." Narcissa glanced back toward the door in time to see a familiar boy walking past. "Sirius!" she called out.
The boy froze and for a moment he looked like he was going to bolt. But upon inspecting the car, he slowly opened the door. "Oh… hey, Narcissa. Bellatrix isn't with you, is she?"
"She's at the other end of the train." Narcissa said.
"Ah, good." Sirius glanced over the car again, as if expecting her sister to pop out of one of the bags.
"Who's this, Sirius?" another boy asked, popping his head into the car.
"My cousin, Narcissa," Sirius said. "She's a first year with us. Narcissa this is James Potter." He glanced at Stella. "Don't know who that is."
"Stella Reed," the girl replied.
Sirius nodded once before turning his attention back to Narcissa. "I'm surprised you're not with your sister."
"I escaped. I needed some peace and quiet. My family has been fussing over me all day." Narcissa huffed.
"We don't share that problem." Sirius said, just a hint of bitterness in his voice.
"So what are you doing still looking for a compartment?" Narcissa asked.
"Oh we're not." James said with a grin. "We have a compartment but we decided to go exploring. See if we could find any more interesting company."
"I'm not sure if there's much interesting about us." Narcissa said. "We're the quietest on the train."
"Well you're first years." James shrugged. "We'll be having classes together soon."
"And avoiding homework." Sirius grinned.
"Boys," a voice said from the hall. "If you could please move out of the way. This hall isn't big enough for you and this cart."
"Sweets," Sirius crowed, ducking into the compartment with James. "Finally found it. I've been itching for some of these."
"Me too. Wanted to add to my chocolate frog card collection," James said.
They all ordered eagerly, none of them short on cash. But Narcissa couldn't help but notice that Stella was bizarrely quiet. She stared at the cart with interested but did not buy anything.
"Don't you want something?" Narcissa asked.
"I'm fine," Stella said softly. "I don't have much money to spare on sweets."
"Oh." Narcissa, James and Sirius exchanged glances until Sirius spoke up with a grin.
"Well, luckily for you Stella, everyone else in this compartment is loaded. We'll get some for you too."
"I couldn't—" Stella protested.
"Sure you can." James said, ordering some extra treats. "It's in the name of sugar."
"It's no trouble for us, really." Narcissa said. She had more money than she knew what to do with at Hogwarts. It wouldn't be bad to spare a few galleons on her new friend.
Stella smiled softly, looking down at her lap. "Thank you."
The mood lightened considerably as they began to sort through their plunder. But all the while Narcissa couldn't help but notice Stella. Her eyes kept widening as she looked at the many sugary delights. When she tasted the Every flavored beans. When one of the chocolate frogs escaped and hopped out the window. Like she'd never seen this kind of thing before.
She's muggleborn, Narcissa realized with a start. She really has never seen any of this before.
She bit her lip. If Sirius and James had noticed, they didn't say anything and she probably shouldn't either. It would be best to pretend she didn't know.
If Bella found out… oh Bella would be furious if she found out Narcissa had made friends with a muggleborn. All she ever talked about these days was how inferior they were.
But why would Bella find out? She had much more important things to do than check up on Narcissa's friends.
Narcissa cast a glance at Stella, who was just pocketing her first chocolate frog card, a smile on her face. With any luck, Bella would never find out.
She could only hope.
A/N: So, now we have our full cast. Someone asked in a review of the last chapter who the OC, Stella, would be paired up with. She is an eventual love interest for Sirius but that won't come to fruition for awhile. For now, everyone is just friends. Review and tell me what you think!