DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING RECOGNISABLE!
I also want to thank my reviewers and anyone else who has read this so far.
ITALICS- Thoughts
Bold Italics- Darren signing
Bold- Lily signing
Just so you know
Chapter 4: September 1st
.BEEP.
I reached my hand out from under the duvet and slammed it down on the snooze button, hoping to get a few more hours sleep. Why the hell did I set that thing anyway? Is all that is going through my mind as I snuggle further into my pillow.
Just as I'm about to doze off again I hear my door slam open and barely register the fact that someone is in my room before someone jumps on me. I move my blankets out of the way and roll over to spot Darren sitting by my feet, a huge grin lighting his face. His blonde hair was un-brushed and his clothes wrinkled, but he had never looked happier.
It's at this point that I turn quickly to look at the calendar by my bed. September 1st. Hogwarts.
I leap out of bed, knocking Darren off of the end, Sorry I sign quickly as I grab a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and head into the bathroom. After a nice warm shower I get dressed and brush my hair and teeth. Just as I'm finishing putting my hair into a bun at the top of my head, there is a loud banging from the door. I quickly finish and open it to Petunia who shoves past me and slams the door in my face.
Breakfast was loud that morning. Mum and Dad were arguing playfully over who was going to drive. Petunia was moaning about having to be up early for the freak, as was my new nickname from her. And Darren and I ate hungrily; we had always had the largest appetites, whilst signing to each other across the table.
"I am the better driver Allen"
Pass the Jam?
"Mum I don't have to go, do I?"
"Helen sweetie stop trying to convince me you're the better driver, you know it's not true"
Blueberry or Strawberry?
Have we got orange flavour?
"I am NOT going!"
"No dear I'm the best"
That's marmalade dufus! This goes on until nine a.m. At this point we all go to the fireplace, Dumbledore had connected us to the floo network especially for this. We had to floo to the our grandmothers house in Surrey and then drive to kings cross station from there.
Because of mine and Darren's problems we each had to go with mum or dad. As we floo'ed to granny's house, me holding Dad's hand, I realised that Petunia wouldn't be coming, she was last to leave and wouldn't come now we couldn't make her. She's gonna be in trouble!
When we arrived in the stuffy living room we walked out to the drive where our grandmother's old Ford Anglia stood, ready to take us to Kings Cross station.
At the station stood waiting to meet the Lupin's between platform's 9 and 10.
Glancing around the crowded station I looked for the family I'd met in Diagon Alley. It didn't take me long to find the tall, tired frame that belonged to Remus Lupin, I stood on my tiptoes, waving my arms frantically above my head to catch his attention.
Soon enough I was stood with the Lupin's, getting ready to say goodbye to my family before I had to get onto the platform.
I glance up at the clock on the station wall, it was half past ten, that gave me half an hour to say goodbye and get settled on the train. I turned to my parents to say goodbye.
My dad came up to me first, lifting me into his arms easily, I had always been of average height but my dad was far taller than average. "Goodbye my angel, have fun, write to us," he says "and no boyfriends" he teases before kissing my cheek and putting me back on the floor, only to allow my mother to engulf me in her arms crying about how her baby was "all grown up". Finally she let go and said goodbye.
I turned to the last person I had to say goodbye to. Tears dripped down my face as I looked at Darren, he was smiling broadly but the tears were still visible in his eyes.
Will you miss me?
More than anything. Will you miss me?
Loads!
We embrace each other for a while before we pull away laughing and crying at the same time. I give him a quick peck on the cheek before picking up my trunk and walking towards the Lupin's.
"Right, now Lily, to get onto the platform you just need to run through the barrier between platforms 9 and 10" Mrs Lupin told me, her smile never wavering. Lily's eyes widened fractionally before Remus gave her an encouraging nod.
Taking a deep breath Lily lined herself up with the barrier, closed her eyes, and jogged forwards, waiting for the impact that was sure to come.
I don't know what I was expecting but a bright red steam-engine was not what I had in mind.
A few other families were dotted around the station, and looking at the clock on the wall, I realise it was only about twenty to eleven. Plenty of time to get settled.
I walked along the train to the back carriage and found an empty compartment. I then attempted to get my luggage into the compartment. It didn't seem to be working.
I was standing in the compartment, trying to tug the trunk in when the other end got lifted. I looked up into the eyes of one Mr. John Lupin. Mr. Lupin helped me to put my trunk in the overhead carry-rack and then turned around and revealed Remus and Mrs. Lupin with another trunk coming through the compartment door. One Remus's trunk was settled next to mine we finally had a chance to talk.
Mr and Mrs Lupin leaned through the window to look at us sitting down.
"Hello again Lily" greeted Mrs. Lupin, winking at me.
I smiled at them, amused.
Seeing the look on my face Mr. Lupin shot me a reassuring smile, "Don't worry, ever since we met you Remus here has been studying that Makaton you use. Very good at it to, aren't you son?"
"I'm alright" Remus said, looking at his feet as his cheeks turned red.
"Oh don't be so modest dear, you are brilliant! My husband and I also learnt a little, but we aren't as good as our Remus is" said Mrs. Lupin.
After talking for a bit the whistle sounded and the train began to slowly move out of the station. Mr and Mrs Lupin called out their goodbyes and reminders and then disappeared in the crowd of parents...
Just as the train was about to leave the station I saw a head of dark hair darting towards us, calling for the train to wait.
Without thinking, I ran to the door flinging it wide open and holding onto the frame for dear life whilst holding my hand out to the boy who took a running leap and grabbed my hand.
The boy had managed to get his feet onto the train step but had no balance and we would have both fallen out if I hadn't felt two sets of hands grab my waist and tug me back inside, the boy being tugged in also. We landed in a heap on the floor, me on top of someone with the dark haired boy on top of me. I saw Remus dart to the door and slam it closed, breathing heavily.
"Eurgh" came a noise from beneath me,
"Ouch" came a voice from above.
I started to wave my arms a bout Can't breath get off me! Remus saw and understood, grabbing the boy and dragging him off of me, I sat up breathing heavily. Remus and the dark haired boy collapsed on the train seats. "Thanks" said the boy, still panting from the dangerous situation. Or the running, I'm not sure.
I just give him a nod, still trying to catch my breath.
"Excuse me, but would you mind moving please?" came a strangled voice, I realised that I was still on top of someone, I leapt up and span around, looking down at the person I had fallen on. He had black hair that was incredibly messy and warm chocolate eyes, twinkling with excitement, his eyes were covered by a pair of glasses.
I am so sorry, I forgot you were under there, under me, and I am so sorry I sign, feeling very guilty for hurting him.
The boy with glasses and the boy with dark hair both looked at me strangely while Remus sat laughing in the corner.
What? I ask.
"Sorry" says glasses "but what are you doing?"
Oh. They can't read sign language. I felt so stupid.
Remus was still laughing, I clap my hands, gaining his attention. Remus, Translate! I glare at him until he agrees. "God lil's, who knew you could be so pushy!" I glare harder. Just translate and explain when they ask.
The boys continue to watch us curiously before Remus finally gives in and speaks. "She's using sign language" he says in his soft, calm voice.
"Why?" asks the one with dark hair, glasses "Sirius, you dolt! She is probably mute" he lowers his voice to the end, not wanting me to hear and take offense. I ignore that.
Glasses turns back to look at us, "oh, well can you translate for us then?" he asks politely, but it triggers something inside of me and my famous red-head temper lets loose. I am not deaf you idiot! Just because I can't speak doesn't mean I can't hear what you're saying, what are you? Stupid? Remus and the boy's stare at me wants my rant is over, "She says she isn't deaf and that she can hear you just fine" Remus translates, why the cheek, altering my words! I glare at him but he just shrugs in return.
"Oh, well, okay then. Hi. I'm James Potter and the idiot over there that caused this whole mess, is Sirius Black" We turn and see Sirius giving us a small wave, a guilty smile is etched on his face. I nod at each of them, as does Remus.
It's silent for a second before I give Remus a small kick in the shin, "OW, no need for violence Lil's!" he says, rubbing his shin and glaring at me as I take a seat by the window opposite him. I shrug.
"Fine. I'm Remus Lupin and this here;" he gestures at me "is Lily Evans."
The boys wave and then fall silent.
After a few uncomfortable minutes of silence I clap, startling the boys, I silently laugh at their expressions. So how do you boys know each other? Remus translates my question.
"Well" says Sirius, who gives off to be anything but serious, "we live across the lane from each other"
"Lane?" asks Remus, who lives in a flat with his parents, the closest he has to a lane is the hallway outside.
"We live in the country, in Cornwall" Says James. "What about you two? How do you know each other? And how come you can do sign language?" his last question was directed at Remus.
As the train ride continued Remus and I became friends with the two rowdy boys and had a lot of fun together.
When the train pulled into the station it was dark outside, "Please leave all of your luggage on the train and make sure you are wearing your uniform, Thank You" said the conductor's voice from little speakers in the train.
Once we got off the train we heard a voice calling out "firs' years over 'ere please" We walked towards the voice and came face to face with a man who couldn't be much older than Tom the barman but was at least triple Tom's height and god knows how much wider.
It was because of this and the cold air outside after the warm train, that caused my sight to go black...
Next chapter:
The sorting hat