“Alright, Mr. Potter agreed to escort you to the train station since I, nor none of my guard will be able to get through. So please Samantha, for my mental health, promise me you’ll be careful.” Samantha rolled her eyes. This was the fifth time her father had given her this speech this morning. She truly thought that he would have more faith in her than this.
“I will pop.” She said and reached up, wrapping her arms around his neck as she gave him a bone crushing hug.
Neither Samantha or her father said anything else after this. Neither had ever been any good with emotions of that sort, something they had always bonded on. They knew how the other was feeling and it was not something that needed to be voiced.
Next Samantha ran over to her brothers who were smiling at their younger sister.
“Promise you’ll write. Not every day, considering we all know I’ll never be able to get back to you that much. But do write. Let me know how things are going and what ruckus you’re getting up to.” Samantha ordered her brothers who only rolled their eyes at her.
“Don’t worry kid, we will.” John said and then leaned in closer to whisper to his sister, so that only Samantha and Patrick would be able to hear him. “Give them hell love, don’t be too careful.” And then John pulled away, giving his sister a wink before she was giving her brothers equally bone crushing hugs. Then not a second later was Mr. Potter in the front entrance, ready and waiting for the young girl. The usual introductions were made and Samantha gave her father and brothers another quick wave goodbye and an excited smile before she grabbed on to Mr. Potter and her trunk and was then suddenly in an alley, clearly right next to the train station.
“Ugh, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that.” Samantha groaned. Mr. Potter chuckled as Samantha clearly tried to regain her balance. Immediately Mr. Potter helped Samantha with her trunk, which was entirely new along with everything inside of it, and they made their way into the train station. Even a train station had seemed interesting to Samantha, considering she had never been in one before. Her family, on the rare occasions that they traveled somewhere far, either flew or took a private car.
After they had gotten a trolley to put Samantha’s trunk on it only took a few extra moments before they had spotted James and Mrs. Potter. Samantha waved eagerly to her friend who returned the gesture and then they all continued on their way. Suddenly they stopped in front of a brick wall, and now both James and Samantha were confused, Mr. and Mrs. Potter only giving the children amused expressions.
“Wait…how do we get to the train?” James asked, looking between the two platforms of nine and ten.
“Run into that brick wall, straight ahead.” Mr. Potter said simply, pointing to where he had just described. Samantha looked back and forth between Mr. Potter and the wall before finally bursting.
“Are you bloody serious? You want me to run into a wall?! This must be some kind of a joke, there’s no way you can serious.” She exclaimed, bringing slight attention to herself. Immediately she regretted that decision, because while she may not be the most recognizable in her family, people were beginning to give her a look, as if they were trying to figure out where they had seen her before.
“Samantha, I suggest you go first. Before you bring any more attention towards us.” Luckily James only thought they didn’t want attention because they were wizards, and not for different reasons.
So after giving Mr. Potter an incredibly doubtful look Samantha took a firm grip on her trolley and then without letting herself think about it, she ran. And right before she reached the wall she closed her eyes, awaiting the impact that was sure to come. Only there was none, and finally Samantha opened her eyes to see a busy platform with students bustling around and giving their farewells, all with trunks similar to her own.
She absorbed what she was seeing, and for the first since she had found out about Hogwarts, a slight panic rose in her stomach. She had never been around so many people that she didn’t know, and that didn’t know her. It was incredibly overwhelming, and as much as Samantha hated to admit it, intimidating.
She didn’t have long to dwell on these thoughts however as James had suddenly come running up behind her, wearing a similar expression of excitement and panic. They both gave each other nervous smiles, too proud to admit that they were in fact a little frightened, before Mr. and Mrs. Potter appeared behind them.
“Alright kids, let’s get these trunks on the train, don’t want you to miss it.” And Mr. Potter let out his booming laugh and began to walk ahead of them, while Mrs. Potter trailed behind slightly. Samantha knew what they were really doing was creating somewhat of a guard around her.
After they had put their trunks on the train James turned to his parents. His father looked incredibly proud and his mother had tears of sadness in her eyes. Her only son was off to Hogwarts, growing up and leaving her for months at a time. It didn’t matter that she knew this day was always coming, it didn’t make it any easier.
Samantha, aware that a somewhat tender moment was about to happen, turned to James.
“Er, I’m going to find us a compartment, meet me on there?” She suggested uncomfortably. Displays of affection just as the one that was about to happen always made Samantha nervous. “And thanks for taking me today Mr. and Mrs. Potter. I’m sure I’ll see you soon!” She said cheerily and gave them a small wave before she left the Potters to themselves and hopped on to the train. There were students everywhere. They were yelling to each other from across the hall, they were laughing and joking, hugging friends that they had not seen over the holidays. But the only thing Samantha could seem to pay attention to was how BIG some of them were. Seriously, her brothers had always been tall blokes, but some of these boys were just overwhelming, even the girls for that matter.
But Samantha had never been one to show fear, so she immediately straightened herself up and began her treck down the hall, in search of an empty compartment. However, as her eyes were wandering around, amazed by all that she had seen, she was distracted and was unaware before she walked into what could only be described as a pillar of a person. Quickly she looked up to apologize only to be meet by an extremely tall boy with long, white-blonde hair, cold eyes and an ugly sneer on his face. She was about to open her mouth to apologize before the boy spoke first.
“Watch we’re you’re going brat.” The boy practically spat at her. Samantha couldn’t help but look at the boy with a look of disgust. Never, had she ever been spoken to that. And it would have been one thing if she deserved it, but it had been a bloody accident!
“Well, I was about to apologize actually, before you so rudely interrupted! Now I guess I’ll just take it BACK.” Samantha snapped at the boy. His eyes only narrowed as he looked at the girl whose head didn’t even reach his chest.
“What’s your name?” he demanded.
“Like it’s any of your business.” She replied quickly. The boy looked as though he was about to growl at her. It was only then that she noticed he was flanked by a dark haired girl, who was his age, maybe slightly younger, and a burly boy with a hideous scowl on his face. They all wore the school robes that Samantha had purchased but they all had on matching green ties and a green patch on the front with a snake. “I’m not going to ask you again.” The boy said simply. Samantha snorted and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Good, I would hate to disappoint you twice.” She responded sarcastically, and right as the boy was about to say something he was distracted, his eyes traveling to something behind her. Samantha would have looked as well, except that she had always learned not to turn her back on an enemy, and this boy was quickly becoming that.
“Black, here to join in the fun?” The blonde boy asked whoever was behind him. Samantha recognized the name of the boy she had met at the bookstore, Sirius, but did not turn around to confirm that it was the same one. Instead she kept a hard glare on the boy in front of her.
“Actually Malfoy, thought I would come to say hello to my friend. If you don’t mind, I think we’ll leave.” A boy’s voice responded coldly, anger and hatred obvious in his voice. Samantha thought it did in fact sound like Sirius, except that when she had met him he most certainly did not sound like that.
“Leave? Why Sirius, we were just getting started.” The boy name Malfoy responded, a frightening smirk growing on his face. Suddenly she felt someone grab on to her wrist, and it was at that time that she looked up and behind her to see Sirius Black, a cold and frightening look on his face as he looked up at Malfoy. He held tightly to her wrist and then, without any warning at all he spoke.
“Run.” He said quickly, and before Samantha could argue or think to fight against him he was dragging her down the hall, going so quickly that Samantha had a very difficult time keeping up, and if he didn’t have a firm grip on her, she probably wouldn’t have been able to.
They were doing well, and Samantha was almost positive that the boy name Malfoy had not bothered to follow them, but before she could even ask to stop or take a breath Sirius had suddenly slammed into someone, causing all three of them to go crashing to the floor, a mess of limbs in the small hallway and groans of pain coming from someone.
“Bugger Black, are you trying to kill me?” Samantha groaned as she sat herself up. Sirius only looked at her quickly, a smirk rising on his face and then both their attention was brought to the young boy they had crashed in to.
“What the hell?” He voiced, irritation and confusion obvious in his tone.
“Sorry about that mate.” Sirius apologized. The sandy haired boy, who looked rather pale and thin only shook his head before looking at the two children, also sprawled out on the ground. He didn’t look angry at all, just slightly perplexed at how the situation had happened in the first place.
“It’s alright…you guys ok?” the sandy haired boy asked, looking at Sirius and Samantha. They both nodded and then all three of them pulled themselves up to their feet. “Well that’s an interesting way to meet people.” The boy said nervously and attempted to smile. Samantha, always eager to make a friend stuck out her hand at the boy.
“Sorry again mate. This prat over here, the one who crashed in to you is Sirius Black, and I’m Samantha Hart.” The boy hesitantly shook her hand, not really sure as to how to deal with that much enthusiasm. Unknown to the boy, he was about to be smack dab in the middle of a lot more than that.
“Remus Lupin.” He replied, shaking her hand.
“I’m not a prat.” Sirius suddenly defending himself, unsure of anything else to say. Samantha brought her eyes to Sirius, glaring playfully at him.
“You are too. If you hadn’t gone sprinting down the hallway we never would have crashed into poor Remus. Now what exactly did he do to you to deserve such awful treatment?” Samantha asked sarcastically.
“Oh nice Hart, I help you out, save you from a seventh year, and all you can do is criticize me? It was an accident and I apologized to Remus, didn’t I?” Sirius said as he looked over to Remus who was looking between the two humorously.
“Right. I’m fine.” He said. Samantha gave Remus a pointed stare before bringing her gaze back to Sirius.
“Well I had the situation under control mate. I didn’t need your help.” Sirius only snorted at her comment, causing Samantha to put her hands on her hips in a very typical female manner.
“Right, you were outnumbered by a punch of pureblood lunatics. I’m sure you had it completely under control.” He responded sarcastically. Samantha, deciding that there was no way to argue that decided to bite her tongue, but before Sirius could gloat they were once again interrupted.
“Oi! There you both are! I’ve been looking for you!” Sirius, Samantha and Remus all looked to see James and Marlene, walking down the hall towards them, broad smiles on each other their faces. Samantha quickly perked up again, excited to see Marlene waving at her.
“Hullo there!” Samantha said cheerfully to the two. The hall was quickly becoming more crowded as all five children stood there.
“Sami, I thought you were going to find us a compartment?” James asked.
“Uh, well I had a bit of a run in, but I’m sure we can find one somewhere…” Samantha trailed off as she looked to see that the halls had emptied out significantly and the platform was basically empty. The train would most likely be moving any minute now.
“Well, I have a compartment.” Remus piped up quietly, becoming suddenly noticed by James and Marlene.
“Brilliant! Can we sit with you?” Marlene asked eagerly. Remus nodded and brought them, not far down the hall, to an empty compartment where there was indeed a coat that seemed to be his size. Immediately the five children settled themselves in, separating on either sides, boys and girls. Samantha and Marlene giggled amongst themselves while the boys kept giving them weird looks.
“Wait! What’s your name?” Marlene asked loudly and suddenly, causing Remus to jump slightly.
“Oh, I’m Remus Lupin.” He said shyly. Samantha couldn’t help to notice that boy seemed strangely…nervous, but not so much from meeting new people, just being around people in general. It was difficult for her to explain.
“Marlene McKinnon. Pleasure to meet you.” She smiled brilliantly at him as he returned it as best he could.
“And I’m James Potter.” James added in. Finally as all the children had officially known each other, they settled in for a long train ride to their new home.
*
“So you’re telling me, that’s not really a frog? It’s a chocolate frog. Made of chocolate. But it moves and acts like a frog?” Samantha asked incredulously as she stared at the package in her hand. All the other children nodded their heads.
“Yes, that’s what we’ve been trying to explain to you.” Sirius said, a smirk on his face. He found this all thoroughly entertaining. He had never met anyone who knew nothing about the wizarding world. “Just try it.” He suggested.
Hesitantly Samantha opened the package only to let out a squeal as something hopped out.
“Catch it! Quick!” James said, laughter already becoming evident in his voice. Samantha hopped up from her seat, attempting to catch her snack while the rest of the children roared with laughter. Unfortunately, they had left their compartment door open so the frog escaped quickly, leaving a pouting Samantha at the door, unsure of which direction it had gone.
“Bugger.” Samantha muttered and went back to her seat. When everyone else had settled down Marlene handed Samantha another one.
“Here, not all of them hop away like that, only some.” And with Samantha’s immense joy, she opened the second package and this time the piece of chocolate remained stationary, allowing her to take a big bite. She smiled as she chewed.
“Delicious!” They all shook their heads, still amazed that Samantha knew so little.
“Hey Sirius, did you know that boy from earlier?” Samantha blurted out as she continued to munch on her frog. Sirius’ body tensed visibly, even though he tried not to show it. James looked between the two of them, completely unaware of what was going on.
“What boy?” James asked, as Sirius still had not answered.
“Lucius Malfoy.” Sirius seemed to grit his teeth at the name. “He’s my cousin.” Sirius spat. James and Marlene nodded, no doubt already aware that the two were related. After all, they were both notorious dark wizarding families.
“Wait, when did you see him?” Marlene asked, turning towards Samantha.
“When I was looking for a compartment. I accidentally bumped in to him and he started being all rude and what not. So I gave it to him right back, he clearly didn’t like that much. Then Sirius showed up, dragged me out of there, literally, where when then bumped in to Remus. Now here we all are.” Samantha said, as if the story was a happy one as opposed to what it really was.
“She just stood there, as if he wouldn’t have cursed her into oblivion.” Sirius looked at Samantha as if he wasn’t sure if she was the bravest or stupidest girl he had ever met. Probably a combination of the two.
“He was being rude. For no particular reason.” Samantha said stubbornly. Sirius rolled his.
“I guess we should be happy you didn’t tell him your name. He probably would have jinxed you right there.” Sirius said darkly.
“What do you mean?” She asked, slightly nervous that Sirius knew who she really was. After all, why else would Malfoy want to attack her?
“Well…” Sirius started hesitantly, “You’re muggle born, and that’s not exactly something my family finds to be a redeeming quality in someone.” It made sense to Samantha now. She had remembered what Marlene and James had said last week. About the Black family being one that was pureblood, and thought that anyone who wasn’t was basically just a waste of air.
“Do you have a problem with muggle borns?” Marlene asked Sirius accusingly. It felt like the entire compartment held their breath as they waited for Sirius’ answer. It had been bothering Marlene (and even James, even though he’d never admit) for the last week. It seemed as though Sirius didn’t have any problem with them, but if he did Marlene certainly wouldn’t have spent another second in his presence. She may have been a pureblood, but she was very adamant about treating everyone equally.
“No. Not in the least. It’s purebloods I seem to have my issues with.” And just like that it seemed as though Sirius was done with the conversation. But his answer had been enough to set everyone’s thoughts at ease, including Marlene’s.
“Oi, so did you hear about the match the Canon’s played last week?! I heard that-“ and just as James made a quick subject change to quidditch Samantha turned to Marlene, drowning out their conversations. Yes, Samantha had found quidditch to be mildly entertaining, but she still didn’t understand it, nor did she understand anything about famous teams.
While Marlene and Samantha talked avidly about classes and what they thought school would be like a bright red head of hair, suddenly passing their compartment made Samantha leap to her feet.
“Evans!” Samantha called out and ran to the hall, where the red headed girl had suddenly turned around, beaming at her Samantha.
“Sami! I’ve been looking for you! I’ve been sitting with my friend Severus,” and with that she gestured to the boy standing slightly behind her. He was lanky, had greasy black hair, pale skin and looked to be barely taller than Lily herself. Samantha only gave the boy a quick glance before she returned her gaze to Lily, “but we decided a little while ago to come looking for you! Is Marlene with you?” Lily asked eagerly, and then suddenly Marlene poked her head out of the compartment, smiling cheerfully at her friend.
“I knew you’d miss me Evans! How was your week?” Marlene asked. Lily shrugged.
“It was alright. I spent most of it reading up on the class books, so I would know what they were talking about when lessons started. I finished most of them, except for our Defense Against the Dark Arts one, but hopefully they won’t ask any questions about the end of the book on the first day.” Lily responded, leaving Samantha with her mouth opened wide in shock.
“You, you finished them? I haven’t even started them! I didn’t know we were supposed to read! Bloody hell! Marls, did you read?!” Samantha was in a panic now, terrified that she was behind on schoolwork and it hadn’t even really started yet. Marlene just let out a snort in reply.
“Hell no, my letter said nothing about reading so why would I bother. Lily is just a nerd.” Marlene said jokingly causing Lily to blush slightly but laugh none the less.
“Lily?!” A voice could be heard from inside the compartment. Suddenly, James Potter was standing in the hall, smiling brightly at the girl he had met last week. She only grimaced when she saw him. “Hello! It’s wonderful to see you again!” James greeted her.
“I can’t say I feel the same way.” Lily muttered, and backed away, frightened that she would be attacked by more dung bombs. James only let out a laugh at Lily’s comment, causing the young girl to glare at him. “Well, I’ll see you at the feast ladies. A prefect had just come by out compartment telling us to change, so I’m sure you’ll need to as well.” And not before giving James a quick glare, Lily was gone, walking with her friend Severus towards their own compartment to get ready for their arrival at Hogwarts.
“So…it seems as though I made an awful first impression with Evans.” James said matter-of-factly.
“Dreadful.” Samantha dead panned, causing Marlene to snort in humor and James to glare at her.
“You should be encouraging me, not hurting me.” James frowned at Samantha as she only laughed.
“Hey you said it first. Now let’s get dressed, I’d hate for us to be late.” Samantha said sarcastically as they all shuffled back into their compartment, informing the rest of their group that they would be arriving shortly.
****************************************************
A/N- Hey guys, so this is my newest story. Sorry the last chapter was so ridiculously long (it was nearly 8000 words). I just really wanted Sirius to be introduced in to the story haha. But the chapters should be closer to the size of the first one, I think that's about how long this one is. I know the story isn't very exciting right now, but I just want to show a bit of their first year and then we're probably going to fast forward through time...who knows. I guess you'll just have to wait and see :)
Thanks again for reading! I really appreciate it!
Printer Friendly Version
