A/N- Hey! Thanks to everyone who reviewed, you’re all awesome! This is the second chapter, and I hope you like it. It’s been awhile, but I promise I have lots of ideas for this story. So I hope I don’t disappoint. Please review, I love to know that people actually read the story and like it or don’t like it. Anyways, enjoy!
Chapter two- Enemies
In the many days leading up to my departure from Kings Cross station, I’d never thought that I would receive an enemy so soon. Of course, I’d always considered myself a nice person, humble even. Okay, so maybe that was a lie. I was nice, but arrogant people had always found a way to get on my nerves. Add that to the fact that I never think when I’m angry, and you come up with the conclusion that I couldn’t be friendly with everyone.
But, I’d never thought I would have four enemies. Maybe those boys on the platform didn’t consider me an enemy, but surely they wouldn’t be pleased with the fact that I stood up for the greasy-haired boy, let alone told one of them they were spineless. I didn’t even know them, yet I knew that I didn’t like them.
I sighed as I pressed my forehead to the glass of the window in the compartment I had taken up, slightly embarrassed that I had allowed myself to get so out of hand. I was such an idiot.
I had heard a lot of gossip about me as I had walked sown the corridors, students whispering and watching me curiously. Some came up and talked to me, others stayed their distance. Maybe I was already considered a freak. Or maybe the news about my outburst on the platform had got around the train already.
When the compartment door slid open loudly, I almost jumped ten feet in the air. My heart was racing in my chest as I turned around to see who had come in.
The pretty red head with the emerald eyes that I had seen on the platform was standing in the doorway, looking quite surprised at seeing me here.
“Oh!” She exclaimed, cheeks slightly red. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know there was someone else sitting in here.”
“Someone else?” I repeated, confused. She pointed to the luggage rack above me, where beside my large trunk another one was sitting, the initials L.E on it. It was my turn to blush.
“I’m really sorry.” I stood up, flustered and moved to drag my trunk down.
“No, it’s fine.” She smiled at me in a friendly way, and moved to sit opposite me. “I was saving it for my friends and I, but one more person couldn’t hurt.”
I smiled back gratefully, not wanting to enter the halls of gossiping students again in search of a new compartment.
She studied me. “I don’t remember you, are you a new student?”
I nodded and introduced myself. “I’m Jess Swan.”
The girl’s eyes widened. “You’re Jessamine Swan?” She asked excitedly.
I blushed at the attention. Apparently people were talking about me.
“Jess.” I corrected.
“You’re the girl who told James Potter he was spineless!” The girl was speaking so fast her words were a blur. “And you stuck up for Sev- I mean, Snape! You told Sirius Black to go to hell!”
“Guilty.” I replied, smiling slightly. I was still embarrassed, but this girl didn’t seem to be angry. Actually, she looked ecstatic.
“Lily Evans.” The girl said more slowly, grinning at me in awe. “The whole train is talking about it.”
“So I’m not going to be hunted down and burned for pissing off the school gods?” I joked.
I actually didn’t think they were gods, or thought anyone considered them it, but Lily surprised me by pausing.
“Actually, you have no idea how close you are.” She admitted. “ Their die-hard fans might, but a lot of people admire you for it! Me included.” She added, still grinning.
“You don’t like them?” I guessed.
Lily snorted. “ No. I don’t worship the marauders like some mind-less robot who thinks their charming smiles and juvenile pranks are absolutely brilliant.”
“Marauders?” I questioned in confusion.
“That’s what they call themselves.” Lily answered bitterly, pushing back her thick, dark red hair from her light complexion. “The marauders, they’re really popular for their stupid pranks and being so damn-.” She seemed to struggle for a moment with the next word. “ Good-looking. Its so stupid.”
“ Are they popular for being arrogant, too?” I asked stiffly.
“Yeah. But that’s only Potter and Black. Lupin’s alright, and Pettigrew’s too in love with his friends. Potter’s the worst, he’s a complete prat who’s in love with his broomstick. He’s a chaser on the Gryffindor team, I’m surprised his broom can leave the ground with his huge head on it.”
“ What about the other three?” I asked in an attempt at disinterest. I failed, of course. I tried to tell myself I was not at all interested in the marauders, I was just curious.
“Sirius Black is one of the most sought after guys in Hogwarts. Every girl fancies him, but he’s not looking for a relationship. Not usually, anyway. He dates sometimes, but it’s never more than fun. That’s all he’s about, mostly. Remus Lupin is the better of them all. He’s quite brilliant, and responsible. But he’s always helping Potter and Black pull off their pranks, although I don’t suppose he’d ever admit he enjoys it. Peter Pettigrew is a follower, he’s almost as bad as the fans! He follows Potter and Black around like a lovesick puppy, but I don’t know very much about him.”
“ They don’t seem that interesting.” I put in.
“No, they really aren’t.” Lily finished.
We spent most of our time talking about the marauders. I liked Lily, she was really nice and friendly, and she despised the marauders like I did. I had a feeling we might be good friends, and it made me really happy. We barely noticed when the train started to move.
Lily checked her watch. “Where are they? I hope they didn’t miss the train…” She was cut off by the sound of the compartment door sliding open.
Three girls walked in, chatting excitedly as they pulled their trunks behind them. One had shoulder length brown hair, a round, friendly face and warm hazel eyes. The second was the dirty blonde haired girl I had seen on the platform, and the last was a short, pretty brunette, with curly hair pulled up from her face, tanned skin, long eyelashes, and dark green eyes.
“Lily!” The brunette exclaimed, hugging her redhead friend, the other brown haired girl following suit. The dirty blonde, however, noticed me right away.
“Are you Jessamine Swan?” She demanded, eyes running over me in an almost critical way. I was slightly uncomfortable.
“Jess.” I corrected automatically.
The girls nose wrinkled and she opened her mouth to obviously say something but Lily cut her off with a hard look.
“Guys, this is Jess Swan. Jess, this is Mary McDonald, Alice Roberts, and Vanessa Carmichael.” Lily introduced us all.
The brunette, Vanessa, watched me curiously. “ The girl who told off the marauders?”
I sighed. Apparently, that’s what people would be calling me from now on. I nodded and added in an attempt to be funny, “ That would be me.”
The dirty blonde, Mary, eyed me with obvious dislike. However, Vanessa and Alice laughed.
“Nice to meet you.” Vanessa replied, grinning as she pushed her trunk up on the luggage rack and sat next to me. “ So you’re new?”
“Yeah.” I answered.
“You’ll love Hogwarts.” Alice spoke up, her friendly face open. “ It’s a great school.”
My heart thumped in my chest. I knew it was an incredible school, Viv had told me so many times. But just hearing it from an actual student here, made the whole thing even more incredible. I was even more excited.
“What house are you going in?” Vanessa questioned, looking interested.
“Gryffindor.” I replied, remembering Professor Dumbledore coming to my house and putting the old, tattered hat on my head for it to sort me. I still remembered what it said.
“Well, well. Miss Swan. A pleasure to sort you, I remember you’re parents when I sorted them. Gryffindor to the core, however you’re father would have made a nice Slytherin, and you’re mother had all the brains for Ravenclaw. However, you’re more difficult, I see. Yes, you have a lot of courage. You’re talented, but not quite right for Ravenclaw. Loyal, but not enough for Hufflepuff. And you seem to want to prove yourself, oh yes, definitely cunning. But no, Slytherin would not be right either. There’s nerve, charisma, and you’re bold. Yes, miss Swan, you have quite the year ahead of you… so it shall be done in GRYFFINDOR!”
Of course, I’d already known I was going to get in Gryffindor. I had seen the hat being put on my head a couple days before it happened, and I had heard what it would say. When it had mentioned my parents, my heart automatically sped up. Just like it did when they were ever mentioned, which wasn’t a lot. I didn’t know about Gryffindor, but Viv had told me it was a very noble house, even if she had been a Hufflepuff.
“ Hey, we’re in Gryffindor too!” Lily said excitedly.
Alice grinned, and Mary scowled.
“Sadly, so are the marauders.” Lily added bitterly.
I felt my stomach drop as if I had been on a rollercoaster. The marauders? Perfect.
When I groaned Mary’s look of disgust deepened. “ Honestly Lily, I don’t know what you have against the marauders.” She huffed. “Most girls would kill to have James Potter chase after them.”
“You included.” Alice murmured in annoyance. Mary shot her a dirty look.
“James Potter is an insufferable git that I would not associate with if it cost me my life.” Lily replied firmly, eyes glinting fiercely. I felt a rush of pride for this girl I barely knew.
“ Well, you can always go back to being friends with Snape.” Mary sneered. “I’m sure he and all his other Deatheater friends would love to have you back.”
“I was never friends with Avery and Mulciber and those other creeps,” Lily shot, the blood rising to her face. “ You don’t even know him, Mary, so don’t you dare judge him!”
Mary flushed in anger and stood up. “ Well, I never understood your taste in friends.” Her eyes darted to me, and she continued stiffly. “So I suppose this shouldn’t shock me in the least.” And with that, she stormed out of the compartment.
I cringed as the door slammed shut and the compartment was filled with silence.
“ Don’t mind her,” Alice said to me quietly. “Her prides just bruised because she’s a marauder fan.”
I looked at Lily who’s face was tense. Vanessa murmured something to her that I couldn’t hear and Lily gave a swift nod.
“ It’s fine.” I mumbled. I didn’t like Mary at all, she seemed like one of those self-centered girls back at my old school. Plus, she was beyond rude.
“She’s one of the ones you have to watch out for.” Alice grinned, and I could tell she was trying to brighten the mood. “ You might want to watch your back while she’s around.”
I managed a small smile. “I’ll carry around my pepper spray.” I joked half-heartedly.
Alice laughed and we launched into a discussion on music. I wasn’t really into it because I was too busy thinking about the marauders and Mary and imagining what people were saying about me. Nothing I pictured them talking about was anything I liked.
So much for first impressions.
Lily and Vanessa continued their quiet conversation and I watched as Lily’s frozen face slowly started to thaw out until she was the same bright and interested girl I had seen when she first walked into my -her -apartment. She and Vanessa joined in when we started talking about the latest wizarding rock band, Wands and Broomsticks.
“ Definitely, the best band I’ve ever heard.” I said simply, not even bothering to debate like we had for The Poison Corpses or Spelled.
We all clearly had the same taste in music, although I’d never would have thought Alice to be a rock type of girl. At the time, they seemed surprised I was into it too. Guess I didn’t look the type either.
Alice’s eyes widened in surprise. “Really?”
When I nodded, Vanessa put in, “But they’re a new band. They have a good sound and some hits and all, but do you really think they’re that good?”
“No contest.” I answered truthfully. “ They have potential. And they’ve got a whole swarm of fans. I actually think they’re better than Spelled.”
All three of them looked surprised.
“Seriously? I can’t believe you think they’re better than Spelled!” Vanessa persisted, seeming almost outraged. She was a huge Spelled fan, from what I gathered. “ But Spelled has Rick Stevenson!”
“And Wands and Broomsticks has Allan Warbler!” I exclaimed defensively. “The all-time best bassist in the wizarding world! Not to mention the best-looking.”
None of the three could argue with that. After awhile of talking about Hogwarts and listening to Lily’s wireless, until there was a knock at the door.
“Something from the trolley, dears!” A woman’s voice called.
“Do you guys want anything?” Lily asked, fishing in her pockets for a pile of coins.
“Yeah, a chocolate cauldron and a couple liquorice wands.” Alice ordered, as she and Vanessa started to play a game of exploding snap on the floor.
“Nothing for me, thanks.” Vanessa replied, eyebrows furrowed in concentration.
“I’ll come with you.” I offered, standing up so I could stretch my legs.
Lily smiled gratefully and I returned the smile, following her to the compartment door. Lily opened it and immediately placed her and Alice’s order.
I followed in a similar fashion, sliding out the compartment door and into the hallway beside Lily. My eyes scanned the wizard sweets on the trolley and my stomach immediately growled. I was suddenly very aware of not have eating for a very long time.
I was stuck between a cauldron cake and a pumpkin pasty. Both looked good, but the ice cold pumpkin juice looked even better. It was then, as I raised my eyes to ask Lily’s opinion, that I happened to glance over at the other side of the corridor. I froze.
Three boys were standing at the other side of that corridor. But surely, they weren’t just any boys. For no guy could possibly ever compare to those three.
The first was tallest, with white-blond hair that was sort of a like mullet. His eyes were shockingly icy blue, and he was pale. He had sort of a compelling aura, he was by far the leader.
The second was also blond, but more of a dark-gold color. He was slim and lean, but still had a body that was guaranteed to make every girl swoon. He had a reckless face, and his eyes were dark brown and lively.
But the third caught my eye the most. He stood out the most, probably the youngest, but that did not do him justice. He was tall, not as tall as the first but definitely a good height, and his skin was tanned and golden. His hair was black and shaggy, and curly on the ends. His lips were so full and soft looking, I was dying to kiss them. But the most dominant of his breath-taking features was his eyes. They were brown like the second, but different. They were such a deep brown, I was immediately lost.
But the thing that they all shared was their outstanding looks. They were so handsome, better than movie stars. I never knew the meaning of drop dead gorgeous until I had seen them. And I thought the marauders were good-looking.
My breath had caught in my throat and I just stared at them like a huge idiot. There was something about them, besides their looks, that made me feel so drawn to them.
The leader went in first, followed by the golden blonde. I just stared. It was at that moment that he turned to me, the third one, his deep brown eyes colliding with mine. I continued to stare for one, painful moment, before I realized how stupid I looked and turned away, feeling my cheeks burn.
Lily, who had just gathered her food and was turning to leave, looked at me in confusion. “ Hey Jess, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” I mumbled, still blushing.
Lily turned to look over my shoulder and must have caught the third one heading into the compartment, because she turned to me and nodded in understanding.
She smiled at me and with a giggle said, “I get it. You’ve just been Hale-ifyed.”
I stared at her. “Hale-ifyed?”
“Yeah.” She shrugged and went back into the compartment.
I felt immediately intrigued. My mind back with the three boys, I ordered.
“A pumpkin cake… I mean cauldron…um, cauldron cake.” I stumbled, blushing furiously as she handed me the cauldron cake and I hurried into the compartment. I wanted to know more.
“What does that mean?” I asked eagerly, nearly tripping on my way in. I collapsed onto the seat beside Lily.
“What’s up?” Vanessa asked.
“She was Hale-ifyed.” Lily told her.
“Oooh.” Vanessa and Alice chorused together, giving each other knowing glances.
I felt slightly irritated. “ What does that mean?”
“It mean’s you’ve seen the Hale brothers.” Lily responded, taking a sip of pumpkin juice.
“The Hale brothers?”
“Yeah, those guys you saw in the corridor.” Lily explained. “ Demetri and Sam Hale and Kale Cavallari.”
“Which one was the dark haired one.” I asked, feeling embarrassed for admitting a slight interest in the younger one.
“Kale Cavallari. His last name isn’t Hale, but he might as well be one with all the time he spends with them.”
“Oh.” I responded slowly, feigning disinterest but failing miserably. Lily was smiling knowingly.
“They’re sort of outsiders, they keep to themselves. Not a lot of people talk to them, but it’s probably only because they’re scared of them. They’re sort of intimidating, no matter how good-looking they are.”
I nodded in agreement, I definitely would not have the guts to go up and talk to one of those boys. Their looks and their aura was so compelling, mysterious. It was intriguing, but I doubt I’d even be able to form words around them. After all, just seeing them left me gawking in the hallway.
“ They’re in seventh year, Gryffindors but they have their own dormitory for some reason.” Alice added, a little bitterly.
“Don’t worry, honey.” Vanessa said sympathetically. “You’re not the first to get Hale-ifyed. But don’t waste your time, they don’t date. Not that you aren’t pretty or anything, but they’re only into…”
The sound of a large bang broke Vanessa off, and we turned to see Alice sitting there, her face a little ashy from the explosion the cards made when she added hers to the tower.
Vanessa started to laugh. “I won!” She cheered.
“No way.” Alice replied indignantly. “I want a rematch!”
Lily left them to brawl as she turned to me, sympathetic. “Don’t worry, it’s nothing personal. There’s a lot of good guys in Hogwarts, that aren’t unavailable or jerks like the marauders.”
I gave her a small smile but my mind was somewhere else as the three girls took Asia out of her cage to pet her, and while I played a game of exploding snap with Alice, and while me and Lily had a discussion on a book she was currently reading, and as I munched on the cauldron cake that had been long forgotten. That somewhere else was with those three boys.
I didn’t realize I had drifted off to sleep until Lily shook me awake a little while later, my cheek pressed to the cold window.
I groaned groggily and stretched while the other three girls changed into their uniforms. I followed suit, sleepily, and almost fell into the luggage rack when the train came to a sudden stop.
It was cold and breezy as we stepped onto the platform and into the velvety dark night with it’s twinkling stars. I followed Lily’s bouncing red locks out of the station, it was the only way to keep from getting lost into the throng of people. They were all whispering and craning their necks to get a good look at me and I was bitterly reminded of a circus animal being watched by it’s audience. Just waiting for it to do something…
I was stumbling and tripping over people’s feet and I nearly crashed into Alice who was walking beside me. The three girls lead me away from the prying eyes of my fellow students and toward one of the ton of carriages awaiting it’s students. I climbed in after Lily, expecting something to come along and pull the carriages but instead, they lunged forward on their own accord.
“Are you nervous?” Lily asked me.
“ Yeah, a little.” I admitted. In truth, I hadn’t really thought of it until she mentioned it. But now, I definitely was nervous.
“It’s alright.” Lily assured me. “Just stay close to us.”
When I had been nervous, it had been because I was worried no one would like me, or if the classes were hard. But once I saw Hogwarts, I realized that my biggest reason for being nervous would be getting lost!
Hogwarts was huge, bigger then I’d imagined, bigger than Viv’s photographs. It loomed overhead, standing against the dark sky and illuminated by the stars. It’s many tunnels and turrets and it’s two large towers making it truly magnificent. Better than I imagined.
“Wow,” I breathed. “ It’s amazing.”
“I know.” Lily agreed proudly.
The carriage pulled up in front of the castle and came to a complete stop. I was so mesmerized Lily had to grab my hand and pull me out of it and into the mass of chattering students.
I just continued to stare at the castle, my neck craning to take everything in, from the top of the highest tower to the hundreds of windows ignited with a cozy glow. I bumped into the people around me but I didn’t care, not even when I heard muttered whispers about me coming from behind. All that mattered was the fantastic place that would be my home for the next year.
We entered the castle into the entrance hall, and then continued on through the double doors and into the great hall, which was just as breathtaking with it’s enchanted sky.
“The Gryffindor table is over here.” Lily broke into my daze, leading me toward one of the four long tables which were quickly filling up.
I sat down between Lily and Vanessa, Alice sitting across from us. As everyone filed in and sat down, chatting about their summers and greeting their friends, I saw Mary come in with some other girls. My stomach lurched when she gave me a piercing glare of hatred as she passed and took her place at the far end of the table.
The marauders came in shortly after, there mischievous grins and confident swaggers making every girl in the hall swoon. All except Lily, Vanessa, Alice and I. I was curious as to why Vanessa and Alice didn’t fall to their knee’s in worship when the marauders were around, and Vanessa replied that after so long going to school with them, they get tiring.
“I already have a boyfriend.” Alice answered my question, a sort of dreamy look on her face. “ I’m in love with Frank.”
Then, three boys walked in last, there looks making me immediately breathless once again. I could tell they weren’t popular, maybe it was because they kept to themselves. They sure weren’t any marauders. But all eyes were still on them, no one could deprive them of their incredible looks and compelling aura.
They walked straight to our table, and sat down on the far end, the empty side of the table. I couldn’t take my eyes off them.
The hall was deafening with chatter as all the students awaited Professor Dumbledore to make his usual start-of-term-feast. According to Lily, anyway.
As Alice, Vanessa, and Lily started talking about some girl named Casey or something breaking up with her boyfriend, I turned to examine the three boys once more. They were speaking quietly to each other, their lips barely moving. The white-blonde one looked angry and his lips moved furiously fast. The golden blonde looked annoyed, but just continued to listen to the leader. The dark haired boy, Kale, had his back turned to me, so I could not read his expression. However, his back seemed sort of stiff.
Then, he turned and stared me straight in the eyes. I felt my cheeks heat up, and immediately looked down to look at my fingernails. My dark hair fell over my face, covering it from view, which was good since my face was steadily turning red. When I peeked back up at him, he was once again had his back turned to me.
Lily nudged me. “ Hey Jess, tell Lisa about how you stood up to the marauders.”
I turned to see several faces turned to watch me, looking curious. I felt my face get hotter as the pretty burgundy haired girl awaited my answer.
“Well, um…” I stammered out my story, feeling embarrassed and a little annoyed. Why was it such a big deal?
When I was finally relieved of the humiliation of explaining everything and the people listening spread the gossip along, I started to day-dream about what my dormitory would look like, and how hard it would be to not get lost going from class to class.
Suddenly, the doors that lead into the Great hall burst open and I caught my first glance of the people that would change my life forever…
A/n: Hey! I hope you liked it, if you did review. If you didn't review. I'll try to get the next chapter wrote soon, but I'm actually starting to write a new story. I'll try my hardsent though! Reviews would definitely motivate me!
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