Becoming A Student Again
The Hogwarts Express finally stopped at Hogsmeade station, and the doors to the train opened, allowing the students dressed in their uniforms to step onto the platform and funnel toward the exit. However, the new 1st year students went toward the half-giant, shouting at them to move towards him. Alexis stayed with Eric and Frank after meeting the young Sirius and Remus, who left to find James. She couldn't help but wonder what this James was like to be so important to Sirius and Remus, though she had heard stories from her Father in her past about the four friends who were more like Brothers that roamed the hallways at Hogwarts. Alexis walked with the cluster of students and joined them on the carriages up to the castle. She couldn't help but remember the first time she saw that beautiful silhouette in the darkness as she crossed the Black Lake on a small row boat, leaning over the side to spot the Giant Squid within the depths of the murky water.
Alexis remembered the first time she walked into the grand gothic castle. She felt excitement and fear as they approached the large doors once they exited the boats from crossing the Black Lake. Alexis was in the same boat as Seamus Finnigan, Dean Thomas, and Padma Patil. The moment they stepped off the self-rowing boat, they climbed the stairs that led to the castle's large oak, which swung open at once.
A tall, black-haired Witch in emerald-green robes stood there. She had a stern face, and the young students' first thought was that she was not someone to cross. "The firs'-years, Professor McGonagall," Hagrid, the castle's Gamekeeper, announced, looking at the Deputy Headmistress.
"Thank you, Hagrid. I will take them from here." She replied, pulling the door wide.
The Entrance Hall was so big, impressing some young Witches and Wizards. The stone walls are lit with flaming torches, the ceiling is too high to make out, and a magnificent marble staircase facing them leads to the upper floors. The first years followed Professor McGonagall across the flagstone floor, hearing the drone of hundreds of voices from a doorway to the right - the rest of the school had already arrived - but Professor McGonagall showed the first years into a small empty chamber off the hall.
The students crowded in, standing somewhat closer together than they would usually have done, peering about nervously. "Welcome to Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall greeted the first years. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your Houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your House will be something like your family within Hogwarts. You will have classes with the rest of your House, sleep in your House Dormitory and spend free time in your House Common Room.
"The four Houses are called Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Each House has its own noble history, and each has produced outstanding Witches and Wizards. While you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn your House points, while any rule-breaking will lose House points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points is awarded the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to whichever House becomes yours.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place in a few minutes in front of the rest of the school. I suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as you can while you are waiting." The Deputy Headmistress informed the students as her eyes lingered on Neville's cloak, which was fastened under his left ear, and Ron's smudged nose. Harry nervously tried flattening his hair. Alexis straightened her tie, and Hermione combed through her bushy brown hair. "I shall return when we are ready for you." She told them. "Please wait quietly." She left the chamber, and Harry swallowed.
"How exactly do they sort us into Houses?" Harry asked his new friend, growing more nervous.
"Some sort of test, I think," Ron replied. "Fred said it hurts a lot, but I think he was joking." Harry's heart gave a horrible jolt. A test? In front of the whole school? Alexis giggled, having read about the Sorting Ceremony and overheard the boys before her. Harry looked around anxiously and saw that everyone else looked terrified. No one talked much except Hermione Granger, who whispered quickly about all the spells she had learnt and wondered which one she'd need. Harry's spiralling thoughts when something happened, making him jump about a foot in the air - several people behind him scream.
"What the -?" Harry gasped. So do the people around him. About twenty ghosts stream through the back wall. Pearly white and slightly transparent, they glided across the room, talking to each other and hardly glancing at the first years. They seem to be arguing. What looks like a fat little monk is saying.
"Forgive and forget, I say, we ought to give him a second chance -."
"My dear Friar, haven't we given Peeves all the chances he deserves? He gives us all a bad name, and you know, he's not really even a ghost - I say, what are you all doing here?" A ghost wearing a ruff and tights suddenly noticed the first years. Nobody answered.
"New students!" The Far Friar exclaimed, smiling around at them. "About to be sorted, I suppose?" A few people nodded mutely. "Hope to see you in Hufflepuff!" He said. "My old House, you know."
"Move along now," A sharp voice said. "The Sorting Ceremony's about to start." Professor McGonagall had returned. One by one, the ghosts floated away through the opposite wall.
"Now, form a line," McGonagall ordered the first years, "and follow me." Alexis moved behind Harry and Ron as they went into a line. They walked out of the chamber and back across the hall through double doors into the Great Hall.
The students had never even imagined such a strange and splendid place. It was lit by thousands of candles floating in mid-air over four long tables where the rest of the students sat. The tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. At the top of the hall was another long table where the teachers sat. Professor McGonagall led the first years up there, so they came to a halt in a line facing the other students, with the teachers behind them. The hundreds of faces stare at them like pale lanterns in the flickering candlelight. Dotting here and there amongst the students, the ghosts shone misty silver. To avoid all the staring eyes, Harry looked upwards and saw a velvety black ceiling dotted with stars. Alexis looked beside her, spotting Hermione beside her and smiling as the girl leaned toward her. "It's bewitched to look like the sky outside; I read about it in Hogwarts: A History," Hermione whispered.
"I know. My Dad told me." Alexis whispered back at her, looking at the ceiling, though it was as breathtaking as her Father told her, and it was hard to believe there was a ceiling there at all and that the Great Hall doesn't simply open onto the heavens. The students watched Professor McGonagall silently placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years. On top of the seat, she put a pointed Wizard's hat. The Hat was patched, frayed and extremely dirty. Most of the first years wondered what they would have to do with the Hat and noticed everyone in the Hall was now staring at it. For a few seconds, there was complete silence. Then it twitched. A rip near the brim opened wide like a mouth - and the Hat began to sing:
"Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head.
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on, and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart,
You might belong in Hufflepuff
Where they are just and loyal.
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet, in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind,
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on!
Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a plat!
You're in safe hands.
(though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
The whole Hall burst into applause as the Hat finished its song. It bowed to each of the four tables and became quite still again. "So we've just got to try on the hat?" Ron whispered to Harry in annoyance. "I'll kill Fred; he was going on about wrestling a Troll." Harry smiled weakly, and Alexis giggled, overhearing them. Professor McGonagall now stepped forward, holding a long roll of parchment.
"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," She instructed the first years. "Abbott, Hannah!" A pink-faced girl with blond pigtails stumbled out of line, put on the Hat, fell right over her eyes and sat down. A moment's pause -.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" The Hat shouted. The table to the right cheered and clapped as Hannah went to sit at their table. Alexis looked at the table, seeing the Fat Friar waving merrily at the girl.
"Bones, Susan!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!" The Hat shouted again, and Susan scuttled to sit beside Hannah.
"Boot, Terry!"
"RAVENCLAW!" The table second from the left clapped this time; several Ravenclaws stood to shake hands with Terry as he joined them.
"Brocklehurts, Mandy," another Ravenclaw went, but "Brown, Lavender" became the first new Gryffindor, and the table on the far left exploded with cheers, the loudest being the Weasley twins that Alexis recognised from her time exploring Diagon Alley with her Father on their hunt for school supplies and found them at Flourish and Blotts sneaking through the stacks. "Bulstrode, Millicent," then became a Slytherin. Harry watched, perhaps imagining it, after everything he heard about them, but he thought they looked like an unpleasant lot. "Finch-Fletchley, Justin!"
"HUFFLEPUFF!" Sometimes, the remaining students noticed the Hat shouted out the House at once, but for others, it took a little while to decide.
"Finnigan, Seamus," the sandy-haired boy next to Harry sat on the stool for almost a whole minute before the Hat declared him a Gryffindor. "Granger, Hermione!" Hermione almost ran to the seat and jammed the Hat eagerly on her head, nearly knocking Alexis to the floor.
"GRYFFINDOR!" the Hat shouted, making Ron groan. Alexis watched, seeing Harry spiralling and placing her hand on his shoulder, making him jump.
"You'll do fine," Alexis assured him with a friendly smile. When Neville Longbottom, the boy who kept losing his toad, was called, he fell over on his way to the stool. The Hat took a long time to decide with Neville.
When it finally shouted "GRYFFINDOR," Neville ran off, still wearing it and had to jog back amid gales of laughter to give it to the next student.
"MacDougal, Morag." Draco Malfoy swaggered forward when his name was called and got his wish immediately: the Hat barely touched his head when it screamed.
"SLYTHERIN!" Malfoy joined his friends Crabbe and Goyle, looking pleased with himself. There weren't many people left now.
"Moon"... "Nott"... "Parkinson"... then a pair of girls, "Patil" and "Patil"... then "Perks, Sally-Anne"... and then, at last - "Potter, Harry!" As Harry stepped forward, whispers suddenly broke out like little hissing fires all over the Hall.
"Potter, did she say?"
"The Harry Potter?"
The last thing Harry saw before the Hat dropped over his eyes was the Hall full of people craning to get a good look at him. "Good luck," Alexis muttered before the next second; he was looking at the black inside of the Hat. Alexis watched with the remaining students as she saw Harry muttering something under his breath to the Sorting Hat.
"- better be GRYFFINDOR!" The Hat shouted finally, and Harry took it off, walking shakily towards the Gryffindor table with loud cheers. Percy the Prefect got up and shook his hand vigorously while the Weasley twins yelled.
"We got Potter! We got Potter!" Harry sat opposite the ghost in the ruff he'd seen earlier. The spirit patted his arm and could see the High Table properly now. At the end, nearest him, sat Hagrid, who caught his eye and gave him a thumbs up. Harry grinned back. And Albus Dumbledore sat in an oversized gold chair in the centre of the High Table. Harry recognised him at once from the card. Dumbledore's silver hair was the only thing shining as brightly as the ghosts in the Hall. Harry spotted Professor Quirrell, too, the nervous young man from the Leaky Cauldron. He looked very peculiar in a large purple turban. And now there were only four people left to be sorted.
"Todd, Alexis," Professor McGonagall announced, and the girl smiled, confidently climbing the steps to the stool and placing the withered hat on her perfect blond plaited head. Alexis got comfortable on the stall and faced everyone in the Great Hall as the Sorting Hat fell over her eyes.
"My, my, what an interesting girl. With so much in her head. I see an excellent future for you." The Hat mused, seeming to smile.
"Thank you," Alexis muttered, smiling back and wondering what would happen to her once she began at Hogwarts.
"Such bravery, loyalty, cunning and smarts. I think you will do well in many a house. But I see one clear path. I suppose it will have to be… GRYFFINDOR!" It shouted, and the table cheered as she placed the Hat back on the stool before striding to the table of lions, sitting next to Hermione as Harry made space for the girl. And now there were only three people left to be sorted.
"Turpin, Lisa," becomes a Ravenclaw; it was Ron's turn. He was pale green by now. Harry crossed his fingers under the table.
A second later, the Hat shouted. "GRYFFINDOR!" Harry clapped loudly with the rest as Ron collapsed into the chair next to him.
"Well done, Ron, excellent," Percy said pompously across Harry as "Zabini, Blaise" was made a Slytherin. Professor McGonagall rolled up her scroll and took the Sorting Hat away. The students looked down at their empty gold plates. Albus Dumbledore got to his feet. He was beaming at the students, his arms open wide as if nothing could please him more than to see them all there.
"Welcome!" Albus greeted them. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are, Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you!" He sat back down, and everybody clapped and cheered before mountains of food appeared before the students, signalling the beginning of the school year.
Alexis suddenly snapped out of the memory when the carriage halted when they arrived at the castle's main entrance. Eric helped her down when she spotted Professor McGonagall standing in the doorway. "Miss Todd?" She looked at the young blond Witch, who nodded back. "Come with me." McGonagall led her into the castle, and Alexis looked back at Eric one last time before she led the young blond Witch.
Alexis and Professor McGonagall walked through the long hallways of the castle and found themselves in a room with the famous Hogwarts Sorting Hat atop a stool. "From what Professor Dumbledore told me, you know how this works?" She looked at the teen, who nodded back. "Please take a seat." Alexis quickly sat on the four-legged stool, and Professor McGonagall placed the withered hat atop the girl's head.
"Well, well," The Sorting Hat mused inside Alexis' head. "I see you know me, but I do not know you… Interesting… Such a marvellous mind. The things you've done and seen over your short life. Such cunning and brains with ounces of bravery. You'd do well in any house, but your heart and mind have already been made up." The Hat seemed to smile. "GRYFFINDOR!"
Professor McGonagall smiled, glad to see she had another little lion added to her pride. "I need to go collect the first years; why don't you head to the Welcome Feast."
"Thank you, Professor," Alexis smiled, and they exited the room together.
Alexis found her way to the Great Hall, and luckily, she was in time before the doors were closed as everyone waited for the arrival of the little first years; she sneaked inside, making her way to the Gryffindor table, spotting Steven with a few of his friends and next to a pretty redhead girl. Steven noticed her and waved, gaining some of the other students, who looked at the blond Witch as she sat next to him as he made space for her. "I told you I'd see you again," Alexis told Steven, who beamed back at her.
"I knew I would," Steven smiled at the blond Witch and turned to his friends beside him.
"Excuse me, I think you have the wrong table," A soft voice cut the two from their small reunion, making them turn to look at the red-haired Witch.
"This is the Gryffindor table, right?" Alexis questioned, looking around with fake concern. "I'm a new transfer student."
"Oh, sorry, I didn't recognise you," She retorted, gaining the attention of her friends.
"I would think so. Nice to meet you. I'm Alexis Todd," the blond Witch introduced herself.
"Lily Evans, Nice to meet you, too," the redhead replied, smiling. Alexis couldn't help but cringe at the name, knowing who she was immediately.
"She's our new sister," Steven exclaimed, making the people around them stare at the pair in surprise.
"Sister?" Lily gasped, looking between the younger student and the transfer student.
"Yeah," Alexis grinned at the girl as the Great Hall doors opened, letting the new students inside. Professor McGonagall led them to the front of the Hall. Everyone went silent as the strict Professor settled the four-legged stool on the raised platform with the withered pointed hat atop. Professor McGonagall quickly began her speech, which was very much like the one she said to Alexis and her friends 20 years in the future.
If it ain't broken?
Professor McGonagall unrolled the long parchment scroll with the first years' names. It took a few minutes before everyone was placed in their respective Houses before the feast began. Alexis marvelled at the food, as always, mountains of food, but it kind of reminded her of her past birthdays with her family and Belladonna's cooking, which made her miss her family even more.
Alexis could feel eyes on her as the feast continued, but she didn't bother looking up from her apple crumble and custard, figuring it was because she was a new student. She glanced up when someone stepped over and saw a handsome teenage boy with short brown hair and glasses. "Can I help you?" Alexis asked him, seeing Steven beaming at the boy, who she guessed was James Potter, from how Steven had talked about the Quidditch all-star.
"Huh?" James gaped, looking at the gorgeous blond, though he was initially coming over to talk with Lily Evans again like the past four years, but he couldn't find the words anymore.
"What do you want, Potter?" Lily asked, growing annoyed at his presence alone.
"Huh? Oh… hey, Lily," He replied, making Lily and her friends stare in shock at the teen, who had proclaimed his undying love to the red-haired girl since they first met in their first year. "So, who are you, gorgeous?" He turned to Alexis, who rolled her eyes at his blatant flirting.
"Please, I figured your buddies would have told you about me, since we met on the train," Alexis retorted, smirking at him and leaning back, waving at Sirius and Remus, who waved back at her with a grin.
"No! They did not!" He growled, spinning around to glare at his friends, who couldn't help but grin back at him, not feeling any shame whatsoever.
"I'm Alexis. See ya around," she said before turning back to her crumble. James stared at her in shock for a moment before heading back to his friends.
"I hate you sometimes," the four-eyed teen grumbled, crossing his arms. Peter looked between his friends, wondering what was happening.
"What's wrong, Jaime?" Sirius teased him, looking at his best friend/Brother, who glared back at him.
"I can't believe you didn't tell me," James sulked as if he were a child, making his friends smirk at his behaviour.
Alexis stuck with Steven for the rest of the Welcome Feast, and afterwards, they walked to the Gryffindor Tower and talked with his friends; she was still a little unsure about James and his friends, knowing who they were in her timeline. She knew she couldn't change the timeline; otherwise, it could have dangerous repercussions in the future. However, she did have an idea about changing some things to help stop Voldemort from returning to power for good, not wanting future Harry to deal with any near-death experiences again.
Alexis looked around her new dorm - well, not new - it's the same one she stayed in every year since she began at Hogwarts. Her roommates were different, though. She had Lily, Marlene, Alice and Dorcas. She didn't really know them all that well, and her first impressions were minimal. Alexis got ready for bed, changing into a dark grey pyjama top and shorts with rainbow stripes. "Night," Lily said to the room, and the other girls returned, but before Marlene could say anything, she heard light snores from Alexis.
"Must of been a rough first day?" Alice mused, settling into bed. She felt something moving across her duvet and saw a small green creature crawling over the covers. This made her scream, waking Alexis with a start.
"What is it?" Alexis asked, looking around in the dimly lit dorm room with her wand in hand as if ready to attack.
"What is that?!" She cried, pointing at the Bowtruckle, who looked just as confused at the sandy blond, seeming to have mistaken the two blonds.
"Faye!" Todd gasped, jumping from her bed and racing over to Alice's, scooping the little green Magical Creature into her hands and going back to her bed with King scuttling onto the pillow, snuggling into her face.
"What the hell!" Marlene shrieked, pointing at the new girl, who tried to get back to sleep.
"It's just my Bowtruckle. She has separation anxiety. She probably just thought Alice looked like me in the dark," Alexis explained, snuggling into her covers and trying to get back to sleep.
"You can't have a Bowtruckle here," Lily argued, glaring at the new girl.
"Dumbledore said it was fine; he had met King and Faye already," she retorted. Before the girls could ask who King was, they heard Alexis's light snoring again.
"What the hell?" Marlene exclaimed, glaring at her. "Who the hell is King?"
The next day, Alexis got up quickly, not knowing how the other girls in her dorm would be in the bathroom if they'd be too long, had strange habits, or wore strong perfumes that she couldn't stand because of her sensitive nose. She got inside, locked the door, and ran the shower, glad she had bought more cotton candy shower gel.
Once she came back out, she saw the girls getting out of bed as she got out her custom uniform, which she had specially made. This made Eric laugh, and Steven asked his Dad for his own. She had to write to McGonagall for permission, and she may have embellished a little for a reason, but she was allowed with some rules.
Once dressed with her bag full of her book for her classes and room for King and Faye, the adorable Bowtruckle will hide in her vest breast pocket. "What the hell?!" Marlene exclaimed, pointing at Alexis in disbelief, spotting the creative Gryffindor school uniform with the regular white shirt but the long crimson skirt with a black vest that comes down covering the skirt. She still has the black robe, school shoes and tights like everyone else.
"Like it?" Alexis asked, trying to wind the raven, curly-haired teenager as she stared at the new blond girl and her outfit. "See ya at breakfast." Alexis left the dorm room, leaving Marlene gaping after her and turning to her friends.
"What the hell?" She repeated, looking at her friends.
"I like it," Alice smiled brightly, combing her hair in front of the mirror on her chest of drawers.
"That is not the point!" Marlene snapped, throwing her hair band into the wall. "Her uniform is completely against the rules!"
"She has permission," Lily informed them, thinking of her meeting with the other Prefects about a new girl with a customised uniform.
"Permission!" She exclaimed. "I want one!" She sulked, sitting on her bed, folding her arms with a pout.
"Least we know why you're jealous," Dorcas joked, earning a hateful look from Marlene, but the girls continued changing and getting ready for their first day at school.
Alexis went downstairs to the Great Hall for breakfast; she sat at the table and spooned scrambles, sausages, bacon, and toast onto her plate. She tried to enjoy her breakfast in peace before she got her timetable from McGonagall, but her serene moment was ruined by a loud gasp from someone behind her. She turned to see Sirius standing behind her with his friends, who looked at her with just as much shock. "Do I have something on my face?" Alexis taunted them, moving her robe to reveal the rest of her outfit, having it tied around her waist.
"I can't believe it," Sirius gasped, slumping into the seat beside her with his friends moving to join them.
"Are you and Marlene related?" She questioned, looking at him. James and Peter snickered, knowing there was some bad blood between Marlene and Sirius since he pranked her a couple of years ago. "What happened? Did she ruffle your hair?"
"That is not funny," James laughed but pretended to turn serious for his best friend.
"Nice to know," Todd mused, then turned to Remus and Peter. "Morning," She turned back to James and Sirius. "As normal people greet each other."
"Morning," Remus greeted her, smiling at her, glad she was fitting in already.
"Morning, Alex," Steven beamed, sitting next to Remus. "Good sleep?"
"It was okay. Faye scared Alice and she screamed, waking me up," Alexis replied as Faye poked her head out from the pocket.
"Who's Faye?" Peter asked, looking around.
"She's my Bowtruckle," She answered, showing them the adorable Magical Creature. "She's a little shy and has separation anxiety." She smiled, seeing the looks on their faces. "Then there's King, who is my Niffler." She pulled her bag onto the table. "Beware, he has a habit of stealing things, but he does give them back once he grows bored or finds something new." A little head popped out, looking around, and Alexis smiled, taking some of her toast and handing it to King, who grabbed it greedily.
"He's kinda cute," James complimented, looking at the Magical Creature.
"He's cutely troubled," the blond teen joked, earning a look from King. "You know I love you." She kissed his furry little head with a sweet smile. Faye poked her head out and climbed up to her shoulder, snuggling into Alexis' cheek, trying to get her attention away from King. "I know. I love you, too."
"Miss Todd," Professor McGonagall's voice said from behind her, making the Marauders and Alexis turn to look at the stern Deputy Headmistress. "You were allowed to take your pets with you like other students, there were some rules."
"I know, Professor, they were just saying hello," Alexis argued lightly. King cutely turned his head to the Professor, recognising her immediately, and popped his head back into the black leather bag with brown leather lining and a moon cycle design. Faye also noticed Professor McGonagall and hid herself in Alexis' hair with the long plaits as best as possible.
"How can we help you, Minnie?" Sirius asked the strict Transfiguration Professor, who glared at the cheeky Black, who grinned back at her.
"Your timetables, Mr Black," Professor McGonagall said, handing them all a piece of parchment with their timetables written on it. Alexis glanced over her new timetable and saw the classes she wanted there.
She had Charms first, which she didn't mind. After that, she had Care of Magical Creatures, which she loved, especially with Faye and King with her. Then, she had a small break before double Potions and lunch, then Transfiguration, and finally Arithmancy.
"What classes have you got today?" Remus asked, looking at the new girl, who smiled back at him. Alexis read off her list of lessons, and from the look of the boys, she had most of her classes today with them.
"Arithmancy?" Sirius questioned, looking at her.
"Yes. Arithmancy," Alexis replied slowly, looking back at him.
"Evans doesn't even take Arithmancy," He retorted, frowning.
"That's nice," She said, digging into her breakfast.
"Do you want me to show you to classes?" James offered, surprising his friends.
"Sure, what classes do you have?" the blond teenage girl asked him, making him gape at her. She watched him scramble for his timetable and giggled at his goofy behaviour.
"Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, Double Potions, Transfiguration and Divination." He answered, and she smiled, thinking of Harry.
"Do you like Divination?" Alexis asked, curious as she looked at the boys.
"I mean, it's alright, though Sirius abandoned me last year to take Muggle Studies," Potter joked, looking at his best friend.
"Ah, shame. You could have picked anything but that," Sirius laughed, teasing his best friend when the school bell rang to signify the beginning of the first day of school and their first lesson. Alexis grabbed her bag before heading for the door with the Marauders not far behind for the Charms class.
Alexis headed into Charm class, enjoying the familiarity. After they walked to the classroom, she sat with the boys, liking their teasing and jokes. The Marauders took the new student under their wings. "So, what's Italy like?" Remus asked, settling with his parchment and quill, ready for the lesson.
"Lovely," Alexis replied, smiling. "My parents owned a house that had acres of land. I was an only child, so I had the run of the house, though my Nanny was my main caregiver as my parents worked a lot when I was younger."
"I can't imagine my parents going anywhere," James remarked, happy about his parents. Though he often thought they were embarrassing, he couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose them so suddenly.
"Me neither," she agreed, looking across to see some Hufflepuffs settling across the room, one of them being her younger-looking Father.
The day soon ended, and Alexis sat in the Common Room by the fireplace with Steven by her feet as she sat in the comfy red armchair. She ran her fingers through his hair as he read his DADA book aloud. Alexis helped him happily, though she had her own homework to do. "How was your first day?" Steven asked her, enjoying the feeling of her fingers through his hair.
"It was okay. I mean, I did have Slughorn for Potions, which was a much-needed surprise. He asked me to join this weird club called the Slug Club," Alexis informed him, and he looked at her in surprise.
"How'd that happened?" He wondered, making her laugh.
"We were doing the Draught of Peace in class," She explained.
"How was it?" The young Griffindor asked.
"Perfect," The blond Griffindor replied with a cocky smirk.
"How's the exquisite young potions master?" James bellowed, coming through the portrait hole with Sirius and Peter behind him.
"Awesome," Alexis beamed, looking at them and noticing that Remus was missing. "Where's Remus?" This made the boys stiffen, and she realised it was a full moon tonight.
"He's not been feeling well all day, I think it's gotten to him," Sirius lied quickly, making Alexis nod.
"That's too bad. I hope he feels better," she replied, smiling at the boys. "I always find caramel chocolate always helps perk me back up." She pulled a chocolate bar out of her pocket, making the boys smile. "So what do you want?"
"Oh, nothing," James quickly said, shocking his friends, who were looking at him as they planned to ask Alexis about helping them with a potion.
"Fair enough," The blond Todd muttered, chewing on her chocolate happily. "Finished your homework?"
"Yeah, right!" Steven laughed, earning looks from the older teens. "I mean, sure they have."
"Good save," Peter muttered, giggling to himself.
A few days later, Alexis walked through the castle, the first weekend break of the school year, and it was raining. However, she didn't mind it as she headed for her favourite spot in the whole of Hogwarts. The Astronomy Tower. There was a secret spot that she used to hide in when things got too serious over the years. She missed her old black raincoat, but the yellow was excellent; it matched her patchwork jumper and dark jeans. Her purple and mustard yellow socks and black sneakers.
Once she reached the middle section, she slid into the barely noticeable crack in the brick and wooden beam. She found the seat with barely anything inside, making her glad she brought a bag of things, like some cushions and blankets and a few books to read from time to time. Alexis quickly got to work, putting the books in the shelving on the side, though it was so crooked and misshapen it didn't look very much like a bookshelf itself. After she put everything down, she sat on the plush cushions, took her raincoat off, and jumped under the blankets, enjoying the cosy atmosphere.
Hours later, Alexis noticed it had grown dark as she read her romance novel. She was getting too engrossed in the pages, so she raced down the steps of the Astronomy Tower, almost missing dinner.
It was approaching the end of September, and Alexis was getting along with her new roommates, mostly because Marlene was still annoyed at the new uniform she wore, but Alice loved getting her hair done by the transfer student. "So, what are we doing today?" Alexis asked, smiling at the sweet, darker blond. "I feel like a hairdresser," she joked, making Alice laugh. "Are we impressing anyone?"
"Who do you think?" Dorcas remarked, coming into the room and fixing her tie.
"Frank Longbottom," They said together, not missing the bright red blush coating Alice's cheeks. "Awe!"
"Stop it!" Alice squealed, hiding her face and trying to stop her blushing cheeks.
"I think it's adorable," Alexis assured her, combing through her roommate's hair. "He seems nice. Quiet and charming. Herbology is always a joy with him."
"It's even more fun when he's next to Alice, both so red," Dorcas laughed, teasing her friend.
"Wait? Do you do that on purpose?!" Alice shrieked, looking at her oldest friend with horror.
"What? No~!" She denied it, which is so obviously not true and overly dramatic.
"That was so fake!" The darker blond exclaimed and turned to Alexis. "Wasn't that so fake!"
"I have nothing to say," Alexis muttered, shaking her head and continuing to do her roommate's hair.
"We were in on this!" Alice gasped, smiling.
"No, but I am now," She retorted, smiling back at her. "Now, stay still."
The girls went downstairs to the Great Hall to start their day. Alexis laughed as she walked in with Alice and Dorcas. They spotted Frank Longbottom sitting with an empty seat beside him and their other two roommates. "You planned this!" Alice hissed, turning to the two of them and pointing a finger at them, but the girls held their hands up.
"No, we didn't," they denied and pointed towards their roommates. "They did." Alice swirled around and rushed to Lily and Marlene, grabbing them and trying to move them along, but they didn't budge. Dorcas and Alexis giggled as they walked around the table, and Alice grumbled and blushed badly as she sat between Lily and Frank.
"So, Frank, are you excited for Ancient Runes today?" Alexis asked, sitting across from him. She took the spoon for the scrambled eggs and piled them on her plate with some toast.
"A little. I don't understand how you can read your book while the Professor is talking and still answer questions," Frank remarked, looking at her as James and his friends joined them, beginning their day of mischief.
"Wait, you just sit in class and read a book?" Sirius questioned, looking at the blond Todd girl in shock. "I can't get away with that."
"I do the work," Alexis argued, rolling her eyes, pouring ketchup on her scrambled eggs, and enjoying them. "You just sit there and look pretty."
"Thank you, I try," He remarked, flicking his hair.
"I suddenly want to braid your hair," She teased him, making him gasp. "I think you'd look nice with Viking braids."
"Do you think?" The older Black questioned, brushing his fingers through his hair.
"Want to try it?" Todd questioned, getting a few colourful hair bands out of her pockets. "Do you like bright orange or yellow?"
"I don't think so," Sirius denied, seeing the neon-coloured hair bands.
"Ah… okay, well, I need to grab King before he takes Professor Flitwick's glasses again," Alexis announced, jumping from her seat and rushing to the front of the Great Hall. "Sorry, Professor!" She shouted as she dived and grabbed the Niffler before he could duck under the teacher's table. "I have warned you!" She hissed as she walked back to the Gryffindor table. "Do you not want this?" Alexis asked, holding up the diamond necklace she found on the floor of her dorm the other day, and King could not let go of it. King grabbed the necklace greedily, playing with the dangling diamonds.
James sat in Divination, wishing he was anywhere but here. He listened to the teacher, and the only thing he could think about was the new transfer student, which was puzzling as his thoughts only consisted of a certain redheaded Gryffindor since the moment he met her on the train their first year at Hogwarts. But now, his thoughts were swimming with thoughts of the blond girl he only met at the beginning of the month at the Welcoming Feast. "What am I doing here," James muttered, looking into the glass ball in the middle of the table. "I need to get outta here." He raised his hand and asked to be excused before bolting out of the classroom. He knew Peter and Sirius had Muggle Studies, Remus had Ancient Runes with Alexis, and James needed out of Divination. He headed to Professor McGonagall's office, knowing she didn't have any classes at this time and needed to talk to her about moving classes immediately; he couldn't take another class.
James burst into McGonagall's office to see his Head of House at her desk, probably marking homework. "Hello, Mr Potter, what can I do for you?" McGonagall snapped, looking at her student that caused the most trouble. "And why are you here during class time?"
"I need out of Divination class," James announced, looking at her thoughtfully. McGonagall looked at him in surprise.
"I see. And why is that?" She questioned, looking up from the pile of homework.
"I can't take it anymore, Minnie!" He declared, deflating into the chair opposite her desk; the Transfiguration Professor couldn't help but smile slightly at the dramatic antics of the boy. "I sit in that class and think of anything else. I'm surprised I even made it through the last two years. Can't I transfer into another class?"
"I suppose," The Deputy Headmistress mused, giving the Marauder's leader hope. "But I don't know if that would be such a good idea. It seems you four boys are much more behaved when separated. It has given us teachers ideas."
"Now, Minnie, that's not very nice," The Potter boy argued, finding this funny. "Division has taken a lot from me these past two years. Youth, energy and will to live."
"Enough of your dramatics, Mr Potter, what class were you hoping to transfer into?" Professor McGonagall questioned, looking at him over her glasses.
"Muggle Studies," James replied quickly. "I promise to behave."
"I hope so. I will allow this the once, Mr Potter, do you understand?" She warned him, and he nodded.
"Thanks, Minnie. I don't have to go back right away, do I?" He asked her, not wanting to die of boredom again.
"Considering the lesson is almost over, I would say you need to pick up your things for your next class." McGonagall reminded him.
"Very well. See you later, Minne," the glasses-wearing teen beamed, racing out of the office and heading back to Divination for the last few minutes.
James beamed as he sat at the Gryffindor table with his friends, waiting for McGonagall to come over with his new timetable. "What's got you so excited, James?" Remus asked his best friend.
"Oh, nothing, just talked with Minnie about changing classes finally," James revealed, making his friends look at him in surprise.
"And she let you?" Sirius questioned, smirking, thinking his soul brother was playing with them a little.
"Yeah. As long as I behave, of course," He told them, and Alexis sat beside Remus opposite Sirius and James.
"As if that's going to happen," Alexis remarked, smiling and taking a sandwich. "I mean, I've known you for about a month, and I can tell you can't, especially with either of your friends." She pointed to Remus and Sirius, knowing they were the biggest problem. "I bet she told you the teachers like you better when separated."
"Yeah, she did, actually. How did you know that?" Potter questioned, looking at her, mystified.
"Because our Ancient Runes Professor even made a comment the other day about our sweet Remy being so nice without Black or you." She replied, laughing.
"Sweet Remy?" Sirius quizzed, looking at her. "Do you like our sweet Remy?"
"We share chocolate during Ancient Runes and Arithmancy," Todd informed them. "He upset me though, when he said he didn't like caramel as much as other chocolate flavours, but we got past it."