Shadow Black
Shadow Black
Disclaimer:
If you recognize the characters- then I don’t
own them. They are the creative property of JK Rowling. Some characters may be
collaborated on at some points but they are in essence still hers.
Note:
This story probably won\'t have any serious lemon for a couple chapters. It is
rated R for language, sexual innuendos and horny teenage boys.
Chapter
One: The Basis of a Challenge
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">Reumus Lupin looked around annoyed.
He could hear the train’s whistle ticking off the time until it departed in
about five minutes. Reumus let out a sigh of relief as two figures came hurtling
out of the barrier between platforms nine and ten. His two friends wore Muggle
clothing beneath large black robes that looked as if they had been hastily
thrown on.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">Reumus could hear Lily Evans sigh
behind him and he couldn’t help but smile. He had been the one to listen to
Lily as she ranted on about the boy she so obviously liked but refused to admit
this to. He was glad that the two were finally dating and had thusly ended his
daily chats with a normally perturbed Lily. Reumus looked up as his two friends
made their way over to where he and Lily stood waiting.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">James was tall and thin with
permanently windblown black hair and brown eyes swirled with flecks of green.
(Lily had spent many hours discussing these very features with Reumus.) James
was almost never seen without a golden snitch twirling between his fingers and
now was no exception. The swirling gold, winged ball reflected and danced across
his glasses.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\"> James’
best friend and room-mate, Sirius Black was a lady killer. Sirius stood a good
inch over James and Reumus, his thin frame was covered by a layer of muscle
developed from playing Quidditch for so long. He had black hair that was hardly
tidy but less wild than James’ own locks. Sirius also had what Lily called
‘arrogant charm’, he was always knew what to say and he was always flirting.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Make way for the Head Boy!”
Sirius said with mock authority as he pushed through the throng of students
making their way to the train. They all looked up with interest at the new Head
Boy. It seemed highly odd that James Potter, one half of the Scheme Team, would
be named Head Boy. But all the proof they needed was the gold badge on his
Muggle sweatshirt.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Hey Lil, notice anything new?”
James asked, puffing out his chest so that the already prominent gold shield on
his chest was all but screaming at them. Lily gaped, as Head Girl she had been
shocked to realize Reumus wasn’t named her counterpart but she had never
imagined that James would be made Head Boy!
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“You’re Head Boy?” She finally
managed to choke. James and Sirius grinned broadly.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“James, your girl sure is
observant,” Sirius said, clapping his hand over James’ shoulder. James only
smiled at Lily.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“You two should be on the train
already! Evans, Potter get going!” Professor McGonagall said pushing towards
them. Lily nodded and made her way over but turned when she realized that James
wasn’t following.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“James?!” She called exasperated.
James grinned, puffed out his chest and followed after her.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Just wanted you to say my name
love,” Reumus and Sirius heard him say as he slid onto the train behind Lily.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Our little Prongsie is all grown
up,” Sirius said, pretending to sob into Reumus’ shoulder.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“We’ll find away to survive,”
Reumus replied without enthusiasm, mentally realizing how much he had missed his
mates over the summer holidays.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Let’s go terrorize the ickle
firsties trying to get on the train,” Sirius said brightening. Reumus groaned,
shaking his head.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Sirius you’re such a prat,”
Sirius turned and grinned down at the blond girl standing behind him, her arms
crossed across her chest.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Good to see you too Emmeline,”
he grinned. Emmeline Vance glared up at her flirtatious friend.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“We should get on the train,”
Reumus stuttered. Sirius smiled at his friend, Reumus had an obvious crush on
Emmeline and had for almost as long as James had swooned over Lily.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Yes lets,” Emmeline said
quickly, equally uncomfortable with the grin Sirius was giving them both.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">Sirius took the lead, pushing through
the large groups of students chatting in the aisles and standing inside their
chosen compartments. Sirius was growing increasingly annoyed at the fact that
every compartment was filled with five or more people. Sirius shoved his way to
the back of the train and pulled open the door of the very last compartment.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">He stuck his head in to see that this
one was indeed occupied by a single witch in her Hogwarts uniform. Sirius sucked
in a breath looking her over. She sat cross-legged on the seat, reading from a
thick leather bound book that Sirius recognized as one he had bought only a few
days ago as part of his supplies list. The girl, their age or so, had shoulder
length golden curls. Her skin was a soft peach that was utterly flawless and
untouched by the ill afflictions of youth. She had a slender waist and the
school issue grey skirt revealed long, slender, athletically prone legs.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Hey, all the other compartments
are full- do you mind if we join you?” Emmeline said, sliding in past Sirius.
The girl looked up from her book and smiled.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Sure, miracle I found this one any
way,” she said with a soft, melodic voice. Emmeline smiled, instantly deciding
she liked the girl and sat down next to her. Sirius and Reumus slide the door
shut behind them and sat down across from the two blond girls.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“What year are you?” Emmeline
asked curiously. The girl looked up from her book again and smiled.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Seventh, I transferred from
Beauxbatons,” she said. Emmeline nodded, that explained why she didn’t
recognize the gorgeous blond girl.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Do you know what house you’ll be
in?” Emmeline asked. The girl frowned thinking it over.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“I’m not really sure. My family
is pretty much Slytherin all the way, but I’m kind of the odd one out in my
family- so who knows,” she smiled finally. Emmeline nodded glancing at Sirius.
He knew too well what it was like to be the odd one out. Lily had told Emmeline
how Sirius had run away and was now living with the Potters.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Oh! I’m Emmeline Vance, that’s
Sirius Black and Reumus Lupin,” Emmeline said, indicating each of the boys.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Sandrilene Lonigan,” the girl
said with a polite nod. They all looked up as the compartment door slid open.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“There you guys are,” James said
with a sigh of relief, plopping down beside Reumus. Lily shook her head smiled
at Emmeline and sat down not noticing the other blond beside her.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“So Lil, how’s it feel to be Head
Girl?” Emmeline asked her redheaded friend. Lily scrunched up her face.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“We have to patrol the corridors
and make up passwords, its loads of work but it should be kind of fun,” she
shrugged.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Don’t you guys get like your own
bathroom and rooms?” Sirius asked with a grin and a wink to James.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Pervert. Did you know we have a
new student? Apparently she’s some like exotic pureblood from
Romania
or
Bulgaria
or something. Total babe they’re saying,” James said trying to draw
attention away from Sirius’ comment and drawing a glare from Lily.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“First, it’s
France
. Second I dislike the term babe- I haven’t soiled a diaper since I was two.
Oh, and the exotic part? If you haven’t noticed I’m Caucasian and I speak
English,” Sandrilene said suddenly making James and Lily jump. Cassie grinned
as did Reumus.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Oh,” James said dumbly. Lily
glared at him for being such a gossip.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Welcome to Hogwarts- Sandralene
right?” Lily said, stumbling on the odd name. Sandrilene smiled.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Call me Sandry, and thanks,” she
said making Lily sigh with relief. When Dumbledore had informed them of the new
girl Lily had been terrified that this meant another pureblood to make her life
a living hell.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“I’m Lily Evans, and this is my
boyfriend James Potter,” Lily said. She frowned, why had she been so quick to
add that James was her boyfriend? James beamed at Lily for the reference while
Emmeline, Reumus and Sirius only rolled their eyes.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Potter- you’re father is an
auror isn’t he?” James nodded wondering how this ‘exotic’ blond knew his
dad. She smiled at him. “Your dad arrested my lunatic uncle a few years back-
I’ve sent him Christmas cards since.” James grinned; he remembered the
anonymous and hilarious Christmas cards that arrived every year like clock work.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“I always wondered who sent
those,” James muttered, grinning. Lily shifted uneasily and Cassie looked at
her friend. Lily didn’t get jealous easily so why was she so tense now?
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Wonder where Peter is,” Reumus
mumbled, realizing that one of their number was absent. James and Sirius looked
up frowning.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Ya, where is that little rat?”
Sirius asked looking around.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Probably stalking the food
cart,” James grinned, Sirius nodded in agreement.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">Conversation turned to Quidditch as
brought up by recognition of the book that Sandry was reading (Quidditch through
the Ages). James informed the girl that Gryffindors had one of the best
Quidditch teams for which he was Captain and Chaser. Sirius agreed and proudly
boasted of his position as Assistant Captain and Beater. Sandry listened;
smirking as the boys tried to determine which of them was more accomplished and
therefore had the most in way of bragging rights.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">Just as the boys were about to
initiate a mock battle over who was the better player, the door slide open once
more and a short, plump redhead entered the room holding an armful of sweets,
his face already dotted with evidence stating that the pile had once been quite
substantial.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“There you are Peter!” James said
grabbing a chocolate frog from the pile and patting the seat next to him, which
Peter beamed and took.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">Sandry raised her eyebrows at the
plump boy sitting beside James. She found the difference between these four
incredibly humorous. It was already evident that James was a jock, Sirius was a
charmer and Reumus was basically there to make sure they didn’t do anything
illegal. And now she was baffled by the appearance of this plump boy who really
didn’t seem to fit with her forethoughts on the integrity of the group.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">It was her experience that those like
James rarely let themselves be seen with anyone not of equal talent and
popularity. And Reumus did not seem the sort to tolerate those who lacked his
own level of intellect. And Sirius just seemed like the kind of boy who didn’t
really care so long as there were still girls to snog.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“And finally the Marauders are all
in attendance! This here is Peter Pettigrew otherwise known as Wormtail. May I
introduce Prongs, Moony and the dashing, charming, sexy-”
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Padfoot!” The Marauders
interrupted him. Sirius just shrugged and smiled, sitting back in his seat.
Sandry grinned.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">Sandry sat back in her seat listening
to the conversation around her and smiling as the Marauders goofed around and
the girls watched with amusement and were always ready with some sort of curt
reply to any question the Marauders saw fit to ask. Sandry realized that in the
course of only half an hour or so she had met six people that she probably never
would have other wise attempted to even speak to. She was awed at the fact that
these six could be so completely different and yet so completely the same.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">Lily was obviously a muggle born,
Sandry could tell by the look of relief on her face when Sandry had replied to
her without prejudice. James had the air of someone who came from a wizarding
family and Black was a name that Sandry knew from growing up in a pureblood
house. Black was one of the more prominent pureblood houses and while they
agreed with the ideals of the rising Dark Lord, they were not known for being in
his service (though Sandry knew that most of the younger generations of Black
were in fact.)
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">Reumus was the balance; he was like
the middle man. He could easily fit along with Lily and could at the same time
blend with the more frenetic
James and Sirius. And then there was Peter who seemed like the tag along who
looked up to the boys like you would an older sibling. Emmeline was the extra
girl thrown in to even things out which really left little room for Sandry.
Sandry was curious about this detail. These Marauders seemed the friendly type,
the kind who kind of stopped on the street to scoop up the strays. So was Sandry
the latest stray?
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">Sandry didn’t have time to finish
her desperate calculations because the train was gradually decreasing in speed
until it had finally drawn to a halt at Hogsmead Station. Sandry had to
concentrate on not getting squashed by the droves of students departing from the
train. Sandry didn’t even have to try to lose her Compartment Companions as
she found herself meters away from them and they each other in a matter of
seconds.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“She seems pretty alright,”
Cassie said as they made their way towards the carriages. Reumus nodded in
silent agreement. Cassie glanced at Lily who was frowning slightly.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Total babe if you ask me,”
Sirius decided, watching the tall blond girl make her way through the crowd
several meters away.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“She seems rather funny too-
Marauder material ya know?” Peter said before falling over and swearing. The
Marauders laughed as they pulled him to his feet and helped him to collect his
things. When they righted they found that the girl was lost in the crowd.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“She does kind of remind me of
myself- but with melons- really nice ones,” Sirius said, indicating his
invisible chest with a grin. James grinned, drawing a venomous glare from Lily.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“I don’t trust her,” Lily said
suddenly, making everyone look up alarmed. Lily very rarely spoke against people
so this sudden outburst over a girl she had only just met made them all stop
dead in their tracks; an action which resulted in several students crashing into
them.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Why not?” James and Cassie asked
in unison, dismayed. Lily swallowed, had she really said that out loud? She
sighed, couldn’t take it back now.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Because she’s pureblood James.
You heard Dumbledore- one of the richest families in
France
, I don’t trust. I mean, it’s pretty inevitable she’ll be in Slytherin and
who’s to say that she’s not spying on us or something?” Lily demanded. Her
friends frowned, half in disbelief and half in shock that they hadn’t thought
it themselves.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“I’m with Lily- I don’t care
how nice that chicks jugs are, or her arse for that matter.” Sirius said after
a few moments of silence. Lily glanced at him, mentally kicking herself. She had
forgotten that Sirius was harboring some ill will towards purebloods and the
conspiracy theory was one that he would go to all costs to believe.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“I’m not saying we should stay
away from her or anything, I just mean that we shouldn’t totally trust her
yet,” Lily said, guilt slamming her hard.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Well, if she ends up in Slytherin
then that’s that, but otherwise I say we give her a chance,” Remus announced
in everyone else’s silence. They all nodded in agreement, even Sirius though
he looked less than pleased.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">The students were ushered towards
large black carriages with the shape similar to that of a pumpkin. Sandry
sighed, tucking her books against her chest and approaching a carriage towards
the rear of the seemingly endless line. She pulled open the unbelievably light
door and clamored inside the empty vehicle. Sandry sat back against the seat and
propped open her book.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">After a few moments she heard rain
dripping down the side of the carriage roof and she frowned. How long until they
would leave? Her question was answered by a sudden yell from some unknown
authority telling the students to ‘get their arses into the carriages before
they were forced to take pains to ensure that said students were mauled by rapid
pixies’.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">The carriage door opened and six
sopping wet students crawled in, teeth chattering. Sandry looked up from her
book and her jaw dropped. What were the chance that of all the carriages and all
the compartments she would end up in the same as the Marauders twice? Sandry
closed her book and Sirius grinned at her, trying to stifle his chattering
teeth.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“We’ve got to stop meeting like
this love,” he said, feigning the voice of a love struck youth. Sandry rolled
her eyes at him.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“You weren’t trying to leave us
now were you?” Reumus asked with a grin. Sandry looked up shocked that he
would ask.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“I just figured you lot had better
things to do than baby-sit the new girl,” she said honestly. Sirius considered
this while James replied.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“We don’t see it as baby-sitting,
more like seeing to it that the new girl is well taken care of. For one thing,
we needed a place to sit on the train so it was coincidence that you happened to
be in the only available one. Second you are actually rather entertaining other
wise we wouldn’t have bothered to get soaking wet in order to find which
carriage you were in. And third, well, the girl to boy ratio in this group is ½-
whereas with you we have a lovely 1 ½ to 2,” James said with a grin.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“So in other words you have
befriended me not so that you can make the new girl’s life a bit easier but to
improve the amount of girls to go around?” James’ jaw dropped at the way she
had so simply but it. Sirius fell over laughing as James flushed trying to think
of something to say. Lily and Cassie both looked like they were about to smack
James while Reumus and Peter were seriously considering following Sirius’
example.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Ya, that’s basically what he’s
saying,” Sirius gasped between bouts of laughter. Sandry considered this with
a nod.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Alright then, as long as there are
no alternative motives,” she said in such a
way that it caused Lily and Cassie collapse with laughter.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">The Marauders had only just collected
themselves when the carriage came to a halt and the door was pulled open by a
teacher holding a large umbrella. The girls hopped out first, dashing for the
cover of the castle, followed by the boys who took their time thus reaching the
castle completely, and utterly soaked.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“You look like a drowned rat,”
Cassie said, looking at Sirius. He looked up and sneered at her, grinning
slightly.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“That was insensitive and
hurtful!” He declared in falsetto making the nearby students look up.
Sirius’ hand flew up to his forehead as he pretended to sob and ran into the
Great Hall acting like a scorned lover. The Marauders snickered following at a
more leisurely pace behind him.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">Sandry was more or less awed by the
sight of the Great Hall. Four long tables were laid vertically across the room;
a slightly smaller, horizontally placed table formed the head of the room and
housed the teachers. Each table was marked by the colors of its décor. The
Gryffindor table sported a red tablecloth trimmed in gold; the Slytherins at the
opposite end had a green tablecloth trimmed with silver cord than very much
resembled serpents winding across the table.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">Looking up Sandry saw that the
ceiling, which should have been made of decorative stone arches like those she
had seen in other similar architectural designs, was instead a mirror image of
the night sky. Stars danced above them and rain could be seen falling down
across the midnight blue and black but it never reached the students below.
Sandry was amazed even to see lightning flicking across the fog of clouds and
stars and planets.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Pretty wicked huh?” Sirius said
in her ear making her jump.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Just groovy,” Sandry said,
Sirius grinned not missing the sarcasm that dripped over her words.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Come on, let’s go grab our
seats,” he whispered in her ear in order to be heard above the clattering and
shuffling.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“I have to go up and be sorted
remember?” She replied. The thought struck Sirius as they separated and he sat
down at the Gryffindor table. Lily’s words slapped him upside the head; how is
it that one moment he hated her for being a pureblood and the next he was
flirting with her? There was a possibility that Sandry wouldn’t be sorted into
Gryffindor. She’d said so herself that her family were Slytherins by blood. So
why did he care?
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">Sirius discarded his worries as the
Great Hall quieted and the old, fraying hat was placed on a stool in front of
the High Table. Sirius never tired of seeing the thing open its makeshift mouth
(a large rip across the brim) and begin its song:
color:black\">
color:black\">A thousand years ago or more"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">When I was newly sewn,color:black\">
color:black\">There lived four wizards of renown,
color:black\">Whose names are still well known:
color:black\">Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,
color:black\">Shrewd Slytherin, from fen,"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,
color:black\">They hatched a daring plan"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">To educate young sorcerers"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">Thus Hogwarts School began."Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">Now each of these four founders"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">Formed their own house, for each"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">Did value different virtues"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">In the ones they had to teach."Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">By Gryffindor, the bravest were"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">Prized far beyond the rest;"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">For Ravenclaw, the cleverest"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">Would always be the best;color:black\">
color:black\">For Hufflepuff, hard workers were
color:black\">Most worthy of admission;color:black\">
color:black\">And power-hungry Slytherin"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">Loved those of great ambition."Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">While still alive they did divide
color:black\">Their favorites from the throng,"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">Yet how to pick the worthy ones"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">When they were dead and gone?"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
\'Twas
Gryffindor who found the way,color:black\">
color:black\">He whipped me off his head"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">The founders put some brains in me
color:black\">So I could choose instead!"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">Now slip me snug about your ears,
color:black\">I\'ve never yet been wrong,"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
color:black\">I\'ll have a look inside your mind
color:black\">And tell where you belong!"Bookman Old Style";color:black\">
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“We will firstly begin with a new
seventh year student who has transferred from Beauxbatons,” Professor
McGonagall said loudly so the room could hear her. She nodded her head to Sandry
who stepped forward and sat down on the stool. Professor McGonagall smiled,
placing the old hat over her head.
normal\">Lonigan,
it has been quite a while since I’ve come across a Lonigan. All of your lot
were Slytherins I recall. Good choice, cunning you are. Very driven. Sandry
swallowed, he was going to put her in Slytherin. She was going to be following
the footsteps of her family once again.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Well, an easy decision-
GRYFFINDOR!” The hat bellowed the last part making Sandry gasp. Professor
McGonagall smiled as she pulled the hat off and Sandry slid of the stool
somewhat dazed.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">The Marauders cheered loudly as
Sandry made her way to the Gryffindor table and sat down beside them. The rest
of the Sorting was quick and Sandry finally recovered from her shock and was
able to cheer for the newly made Gryffindors. When the final roar died down
Dumbledore cleared his throat.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Welcome students to yet another
year at Hogwarts. I would like to inform all students that the
Forbidden
Forest
is as its name implies- forbidden. If you insist to continue to disregard this
warning I will simply have it renamed the
Permitted
Forest
. Also, please be aware that the first Hogsmead trip will take place just before
Thanksgiving.”
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">With that Dumbledore nodded his head
of flowing silvery hair and sat down at the High Table. Plates, goblets and
trays of food appeared almost simultaneously. Sandry pursed her eyebrows with
curiosity as people begin piling food onto their plates yet the platters from
which they had taken it from never seemed to change in quantity. Sandry looked
at the cholesterol packed food and flinched. Sandry sighed, watching her new
friends chow down on chicken legs, lamb chops and various other dishes that we
just packed with meat.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Whas wong?” James asked through
a mouthful of chicken and potatoes. Sandry flinched.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“That can’t be kosher- plus I’m
a vegetarian,” James used his fork to shove the rest of his meal in his mouth
and shut it completely. He smiled. Sandry looked at Lily and Cassie who were
eating more delicately. Sandry sighed, wishing she had some carrot juice and a
salad like those she ate regularly at home.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">Suddenly the bowl in front of her
filled with iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and long shredded strips of
carrot. Sandry raised her eyebrows impressed; she glanced at her goblet to see
that it was filled to the rim with thick, orange carrot juice. Sandry smiled, I
could get used to this.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">As the students began to fill up the
dishes and platters began to disappear. Sandry took a final sip of her carrot
juice before setting the goblet down and watching it vanish along with her half
empty salad bowl and silverware. Sandry looked up at the Marauders; Sirius and
James were having a duel of sorts with their forks; Reumus was speaking with
Peter who seemed more interested in being James’ cheerleader; Lily and Cassie
were talking about the trip to Hogsmead.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Alright students! Classes start
tomorrow so please head back to your Common Rooms!” Dumbledore told the few
students remaining in the Great Hall. James hopped up, almost knocking over the
bench.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Hey Lil, want to go start
patrolling?” He asked quickly. Lily looked up and nodded, jumping up. The
Marauders watched as they hurried from the Great Hall.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“How much you want to bet they’re
going to snog?” Peter said, everyone turned and glared at him.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Really genius?” Sirius snapped.
Sandry and Cassie shook their heads and got up, the boys looked up at them and
Sirius frowned.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“You two aren’t going to snog too
are you?” Cassie and Sandry glared at Sirius who was grinning.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Some how I just don’t think so
you perverted cow, we’re going up to the Common Room,” Cassie sneered.
Sirius grinned.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Just checking,” he said, getting
up and following along with Reumus and Peter.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“You’re sick you know?” Sandry
said as they made their way up a flight of stairs. Sirius grinned.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“I am well aware my dear girl,”
Sirius said with a flourishing bow. Reumus sighed; Sirius was such a wise-arse.
Reumus was just grateful that this new girl would provide for some sort of
distraction so that Sirius would stop hounding him about asking Cassie out.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">Reumus dared a glance in her
direction to see her grayish eyes on him. She immediately looked away as did he,
his face flushed. How was it that every time he even looked at her his whole
body started to heat up? It wasn’t like he would ever actually be able to
gather his courage and ask her out and what then if she said no? She had found
out last year that Reumus was a werewolf and he thought for sure that she had
remained his friend out of sheer pity.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“
Brussels
,” Sirius said cheerfully as they stopped at a large portrait. Sandry looked
at the dark haired youth- why was he addressing this portrait as if it was just
waiting around for him to utter that single word?
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Welcome back Black,” the woman
in the portrait said with a grin and the gold framed painting swung as if on
hinges and presented them with a doorway.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">Sirius grinned, and stood aside to
allow Sandry to go before him. She raised her eyebrows, shook her head with a
grin and stepped inside the short hallway. When she emerged, heaven surrounded
her. Brilliant shades of red and gold bedecked the entire circular room. The
large windows were covered with soft cold curtains; the sofas and arms chairs
were dark red- some decked out with gold pillows and throws; the fireplace was
blazing to her right and trophies and medals awarded to Gryffindor House were
cluttered across the mantel piece.
Sandy
scanned the rest of the room. Just to the left of the small cluster of chairs
and sofas was a small area that contained three tables of moderate size and a
small bookshelf. Directly ahead of her were two staircases placed several meters
apart. Occupying this space between the two staircases was a large, elegant book
shelf that was covered from corner to corner with books, parchment and oddly
shaped vials on the higher shelves. Sandry realized that this must be the main
room- a common room of sorts.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“If you think this is awe-inspiring
you should really consider getting a look at the boy’s dorms,” Sirius said,
leaning over her shoulder and speaking into her ear. Sandry turned and found
herself nose to nose with the taller and incredibly handsome boy.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“You are either really arrogant or
really stupid- either way though I wouldn’t place your IQ much over 30 and my
limit is about a 60 at least so, sorry,” Sandry said to a gaping Sirius Black.
With that she gave a quick nod and headed for the staircase labeled ‘Girl’s
Dorms’.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Oi! Sirius mate! You just got your
arse turned down!” James laughed, punching his grinning friend lightly.
Suddenly the room was ringing with new voices.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Did you just see that?” Someone
said in a hushed whisper. And, “who’s the new girl?” and, “they don’t
make um like that at Hogwarts.” Sirius decided instantly that he would get
Sandry to date him if it was the last thing he did. Suddenly however Sandry came
hopping down the stairs peering at the group with hands on her hips, indignant.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“While I may have turned down a
tour of the boy’s dorm” she flashed a grin at Sirius, “I have no objection
to being granted the courtesy of a tour of the girl’s dorm.” Lily and Cassie
grinned. They both had been standing, awe struck with the boys but now they
followed the cocky blond up the stairs.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“This is going to be an interesting
year,” James laughed, indicating Sirius’ foolish grin to the other two
Marauders who smiled. Sirius looked at them and his grin widened.
font-family:"Bookman Old Style"\">“Ya, it will- so long as I have a
say.”
Next chapter: Slytherin mischief, Regulus Black and some interesting
run ins with Sirius.