Princess Charming

Chapter 4

The ride on the Hogwart’s Express was a lonely one, save for the snack lady and her peregrine falcon, Jupiter, who had stayed perched on her shoulder the entire ride. She ho leo leave Oleander in his cage, or so the conductor told her.
However lonely the train ride was, it was nothing compared to the carriage ride from the small town of Hogsmeade. Pulled my some magical force, it mystified her, and she found herself daydreaming about what Hogwarts was really like.
When the school finally came into view her breath abdicated in her throat, refusing to move. It was a breath-taking site to behold. Blanketed in a fresh powder of snow, it made Sara think of some magical, winter wonderland.
Sirius, James, Remus and Peter had all arrived outside just as a school carriage coasted to a stop. They huddled into a group a few feet from the teachers, gritting their teeth against the biting cold.
Dumbledore broke the silence, when the small door of the carriage opened, despite the strong wind that blew, and swirled around the group.
“Ah. Miss Sara DeMorté I presume?”
“A girl?” Sirius thought, as he moved to get a better look at the new arrival. Remus and James were obviously as anxious as he was, for they moved in exact timing with him to steal a better look for themselves.
“Then you presume correctly…” she said coolly, lifting her form from the carriage, and settling both feet firmly on the snow covered ground, “Professor Dumbledore I presume?” she queried.
Sirius’s breath became obstructed in his throat at the site of her. He lifted a hand to the collar of his shirt, running a finger along the inside of it, as if attempting to loosen it. It didn’t help. It was the eyes that had startled him; like deep pools of sapphires. Dumbledore looked taken aback at the site of them, and with a discreet shake of his head he acknowledged her inquiry.
“Then you presume correctly as well.”
She was a tiny thing. She must have been no more than a foot shorter than Sirius, with long black hair that cascaded loosely down her back in soft curls, nearly to her waist. And those eyes, they were framed by dark, long lashes, that contrasted greatly with the pale skin of her face, save for the pinkness in her cheeks, probably due to the chilling winter wind.
Dumbledore’s voice brought Sirius back from his gentle seduction of her body.
“I hope you find everything to your liking Miss DeMorté.”
“I’m sure I will sir.”
Her voice was soft, and it seared Sirius’ ears like molten lava.
“Well, Miss DeMorté, we have decided to put you in one of the houses for now, until we can of course find your correct house. You will take the prefects bedroom of the house you are assigned, only until we can get you a bed of course.” Dumbledore continued.
“Thank you sir. I hate to put you to so much trouble. It really isn’t necessary.” She offered reluctantly. Suddenly aware, that her presence might put someone out of their own bed and into someone else’s.
“Tis no trouble at all. I assure you.” Dumbledore said raising his hand to end her protest.
He turned his back to her then, and finally acknowledged the four new arrivals. She saw them nod in compliance to what Dumbledore was telling them. At last when Dumbledore had finished speaking to them, he turned back to Sara.
“Miss DeMorté, I am sorry to say that this is where we must leave you. We have a far more pressing matter to attend to. If you’ll excuse me, I hope to see you at dinner tonight.” And with a bow of his head Dumbledore whisked away, flanked by the professors she had yet to meet.
She assumed that she was to carry her things to her room, if only she knew where that was. She looked behind her too see her things splayed neatly on the ground. She started for her things kneeling down in front of the birdcage that had kept Oleander imprisoned for nearly half the day. She happily opened the cage, and was rewarded when the tips of Oleander’s wings fluttered against her ear, as he flew to perch himself on her shoulder. Jupiter seemed content in his cage, ruffling his feathers to fight off the winter chill.
“Excuse me…?” came a voice from behind her. She let out a startled gasp, and turned, nearly slipping on a piece of ice, but she caught herself, saving the embarrassment for another day.
“Sara…?” said the voice again. Finally forcing herself to look up its owner, she wished she hadn’t.
He was sinfully handsome. With dark hair, that shadowed over his deep blue eyes, that were framedtly tly with dark lashes. His skin was bronzed and beneath his school robes she could see the swell of a muscular chest. He was all muscle, pure raw power. She could feel herself pink, hoping that he didn’t notice.
“Excuse me…Sara?” he said again.
“O-Oh…yes.” She answered suddenly finally remembering how to speak, and more importantly to breathe.
“Um…are you okay?” he asked her, while removing his hands from his robes, motioning for others to join him.
“Yes I’m fine…Um,” she answered, casting a quizzical look to his face.
He read her quickly, “Sirius…Sirius Black.” He offered.
She smiled. “Sirius Black. Yes, that name suits him just fine.” She thought, before her eyes settled on the newest spectators.
She found herself surrounded by handsome faces, save for the smaller one of the group.
“I’m James Potter,” said a voice, and she turned to meet the eyes of its owner.
He was just as a tall, and just as handsome as Sirius was. He had the same dark hair, but his eyes were much lighter. His skin had the same-bronzed tone as Sirius’, and he was of the same build.
“I’m Remus Lupin,” came another voice, and she turned to meet its owner as well.
Now he was a surprise. His blonde hair, and light eyes stood out greatly in the group of friends he had obviously surrounded himself with. He was shorter than the other two, but just a bit stockier, but still just as handsome, and there was something comical about his face, that put a smile to her lips when she quit her final reprise of his body.
“And I’m Peter Petigrew,” came a voice, that was lighter than the previous speakers.
Now he was a surprise. He stood only a few inches taller than her, and had red hair. Freckles marred his face, but the look suited him. His eyes were a dark brown, and his face was plump, just as was his figure.
“Professor Dumbledore told us that you would be staying in Gryffindor. We’re in Gryffindor, so we’ll help you out a bit.” Sirius offered coolly.
“I don’t mean to put you out. I don’t want to burden you.” She cautioned
“It’s no problem at all. We’re more than happy to help you.” He offered her a smile. God what it did to his features!
“Well it’s nice to meet all of you. Thank you for your help.” She said offering in turn a smile of her own, and she could feel herself blush even deeper.