A/N: Sorry guys, been really busy. Relatives and all that nice stuff. Back, for now. This chapter’s longer to make up for it. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, they belong to J.K. Rowling. I am not making money off this. However some of them are mine, you'll know which.
II
Allene woke up the next morning feeling thoroughly rejuvenated. She couldn’t wait to begin her life at Hogwarts. She quickly changed into her robes and meandered down to the common room.
“About time sleepyhead. We just have half an hour to eat breakfast,” greeted Lily, who had been waiting for her.
“Well no one said you had to wait. Come on, let’s go then.”
In the Great Hall they sat down with the rest of the first-year Gryffindors. Apart from James and Sirius, Remus and Peter Pettigrew were there. As for girls, gossipy Serena Walker and mousy little Daniella Lune were at the table munching on some waffles.
“Hey girls, what took you so long? We’re going to be late for our first class!” Serena reprimanded.
“Mm, and what class would that be?” Allene asked, barely looking up from the Daily Prophet horoscopes. Looked like Aries’ were going to have a fantastic day!
“Charms, by Professor Filius Flitwick, with the Ravenclaws. Heard he fancies them, so we’d best keep and eye out.”
Just then, Narcissa Black strutted up to their end of the table. James hid a laugh behind his hand - could she be any more obvious? Of what was left of her Hogwarts uniform, Narcissa made it as revealing as she could.
“Oh there you are Siri darling. Pity you’re in Gryffindor, it must be a Black first. I’ve never seen one of us sink so low,” she sneered. Lily was immediately affronted - just who did this sixth-year girl think she was?
“Ah well, Cousin Narcissa - I happen to believe the Sorting went quite well. Better here with decent humans than with you and your accessory - Malfoy, is it?” Sirius winked conspiringly at James. “It does seem that the Blacks have a tendency to lose their touch with age - doesn’t it? And what would poor Aunt Libby say to that ridiculously torn cloak now? Oh no, don’t go Narci darling, we were just getting started,” he added as Narcissa marched away with as much dignity as possible.
“Ouch,” remarked James, “one point for Siri here.”
“Hey! That’s not nice! Say ‘Siri’ once more and you’re a dead wizard James my friend, and we all know what a shame that would be,” Sirius bit back.
“Ok, ok, that’s enough already. We’re going to be late. Come on, the girls have gone,” Remus interrupted, pointing to Lily and Allene’s retreating backs.
The boys rushed out of the Hall and bounded up the stairs. Pictures were winking at them from all sides, some trying to misdirect them. But thankfully, Remus knew his way around already and led them to the 5th floor and down a bright corridor. They stopped outside a door, with the rest of their Gryffindor friends and the Ravenclaws.
“Excuse me, excuse me, coming through,” charmed a little voice from behind them.
They all paused their chattering and looked. There, an extremely short man was bustling through their crowd, his arm above his head, waving a key. He let them in and they stampeded to their seats. Sirius sat down next to James, and Remus sat to James’ left.
When the class quieted, Professor Flitwick began to take attendance. Needless to say, everyone was there, and the class was ready to begin.
“Alright class, settle down, settle down. If you’d please open your textbooks to page ninety-two, I'd be most obliged. Thank you. We’ll be starting with Levitating today.”
Sirius pulled out his text, knowing already that this was going to be one of the longest classes ever. Looking around, he decided that Charms was way too unorganised for anyone to be listening to anyone else. So, he turned to James.
“Hey, you payin’ attention to this?” he whispered.
“Nah, not really. Don’t think it’s my thing. Why?” James mumbled back.
“Ok, good. Well, what’re we going to do about that Snape guy? I walked past him in the halls and I swear he was trying to bewitch me!”
“Oh calm yourself already. We can’t just go around jinxing people. We have to have a reason you know!” Remus had swung around James to talk to Sirius. “Besides, this is our first day back, we need to make a good impression. Now come on guys, this is serious stuff. Charms is supposed to be one of our most important classes!”
And thus, Sirius and James’ plans to make Severus’ life miserable were thwarted by their cautious friend. Lily and Allene had been watching all this from the other end of the room. In the midst of trying to levitate their feathers, they snuck glances at the other Gryffindors.
“Ooh, look, they’re whispering about something. What do you think it is? I'd love to find out.” Allene was very eager to find out all she could about her fellows. Besides knowing their zodiac signs, she found that actually understanding her peers could help her in making more friends.
“Honestly Allene, I don’t really care. I just want to learn this charm and be done with. For someone who practices being co-operative, you’re not much of a help right now,” Lily said. Despite the fact that Charms was beginning to look like her favourite class (although she hadn’t much experience) she was a little uncomfortable in the atmosphere.
“Wow, fine then. I was just trying to be entertaining. But I'm sorry, we’ll work now. You have to promise me that we’ll have time to talk later. I'm not really into this whole work-the-first-day-you’re-in-school thing. I want to relax and just take it slow.”
Lily just rolled her eyes. What had she got herself into? Between Allene’s frequent outbursts of frustration and Daniella’s snoring, she’d never learn anything!
Out of curiosity, she peered across the classroom. It looked like the boys had settled and were practicing their charms already. She saw James levitate the feather, a smug look on his face. She could just make out him grinning to Sirius. Remus, however, was wrapped up in his own work and was trying to raise his feather higher. Peter Pettigrew sat behind them, egging them on, receiving occasional reproving looks from Professor Flitwick. Flitwick himself was walking along the Ravenclaws issuing exclamations of delight at their ability.
She smiled to herself, comfort or not, she was going to have an interesting year!
After class, the girls gathered and meandered downstairs to enjoy fifteen minutes of freedom before Transfiguration with Professor Minerva McGonagall.
“Hey, did anyone happen to get notes on what happened in class? I sort of fell asleep,” Daniella said guiltily. “I didn’t mean to, it just happened! I know, I know, a great start to the year.”
“Take it easy Dani, I’ve got some you can borrow. Hope you can read my writing,” Allene said as she took the papers out of her bag. “Just give them back in the common room later.”
“Shh, shush!” Lily said. She was pushing her way through a big crowd. “Look, look at the board - flying lessons on Friday! Ooh I can’t wait!”
“Come on Lil, we have to go. The bell’s about to ring for Transfiguration and we haven’t even found the room yet!” Serena reminded her.
So off they rushed, taking directions from the portraits on the way (“They’re fascinating!” Lily shrieked). They were almost there when -
WHAM.
Lily rounded a corner and banged into Severus Snape.
“Hey hey Evans, watch yourself. You don’t know what kind of creatures you can run into in this place. You’re lucky it’s just little wussy Severus here.” Sirius and the others had just turned into the hall.
“Oh don’t be so vindictive. It’s disgusting and you’re not helping anyone! Just get lost,” Allene scolded, as Remus pulled Lily up off the ground.
“That’s enough Miss Tranquile. Into class you go. Come now, all of you.” The bell had just rung and a thin-lipped, black-haired, young teacher was pushing through the group. “Let’s go. Get to class Mr. Snape, no doubt Professor Price is looking for you.”
“Thanks Remus, I'm alright,” Lily said and sidled into a seat next to Allene.
“I can’t believe that Sirius Black! Can you Lil? I dunno, he’s so cruel. Must be the Pisces in him or something,” Allene whispered angrily.
“Or something, yeah. Come on, we’d better get our books out.
At the front of the class (James had insisted), Sirius was pulling out his copy of The Standard Book of Spells.
Ooh he was mad. How dare that girl treat him like that! He’d done nothing wrong. Or maybe he had, he didn’t really know. Either way, he was not apologising. Only if she did. She’d been out of place. Or had she? Maybe she was right. Maybe he’d been too hard on Snape. Nah, couldn’t be. But then again, it wasn’t good to make enemies on the first day. Aside from Snape, of course.
“Something botherin’ ya Sirius? Only I’ve never seen you put thought into work before,” James said, messing up his hair again. He’d just managed to Transfigure his needle into a piece of hay.
“No, no, it’s nothing.”
“Are you sure? Because if you’re feeling guilty - don’t. It’s just Snape.”
“Yeah, ok. I'm alright,” Sirius fibbed.
James had always been able to read his mind, but he was pretty sure James wouldn’t understand this. It confused him, this was the first time he’d ever felt remorseful about anything.
The class went by rather peacefully, apart from Peter managing to shoot his needle into Remus’ arm.
After the hour was up, McGonagall let them go, rather pleased that she’d only had to take ten points from them. Five for Peter’s absentmindedness, and five from Sirius and James for provoking him to do it again.
“Allene!” Hang on a sec, I'd like a word,” Sirius called.
Allene turned, shrugged her shoulders at Lily and walked to Sirius.
“What do you want?” she demanded, “I was about to go to lunch!”
“Whoa, sorry then. I'll be quick. It’s just that I wanted to apologise for what I said. I'm really sorry if you found it offensive. It’s just that Snape’s a git and I can’t help it,” Sirius said, looking thoroughly apologetic.
“Hey, what’s this? The great Sirius Black feeling guilty? And no, I don’t believe it, you apologised? Seems I don’t know you at all anymore,” James had got wind of their conversation and caught up with them.
“Oh butt out James. For once, this isn’t about you! Sirius has a lot of guts, saying what he did - could you do it?” Allene yelled, furious again. But more calmly, “And Sirius, I forgive you. I may have stepped over the line too. But I hope that, as Destiny would have it, we can be friends.”
“Wow, great, thanks. Anyway, let’s go. I'm starved, James,” he shot Allene a handsome grin and strode off.
After lunch, Allene, Lily, Serena and Daniella took a tour of the grounds.
“Why is the Forbidden Forest so forbidden?”
“Apparently Kye says it’s full of dangerous creatures and plants. I wouldn’t fancy going in. Hilary Jord says Flitwick gave them a long speech on why to avoid it,” Serena offered. “Said that some good things are in it too though.”
“Hilary Jord? Who is she?” Daniella asked, she was pretty sure there was no Hilary in Gryffindor.
“She sat next to me in Charms, she’s a Ravenclaw. Good Godric Dani, if you sleep during class - what do you expect? You miss everything!”
Allene intervened before the argument could really take off. “Harmless animals too? Like centaurs? Ooh, it’d be great if I could see one of them. They’re supposed to be really good at stargazing, among other things.”
“Couldn’t you ask your sister Allene? I bet she’d know. It hasn’t been long since she’s been here, has it?” Lily asked.
In just one night at Hogwarts, Lily and Allene had learned all they could about each other. Therefore, Lily knew all about Charlotte.
“Sure, ‘spose I could. Good idea.”
Before they knew it - break had passed and they had Defense Against the Dark Arts with Professor David Diskly.
As they got to the classroom, a kind-looking, middle-aged man opened the door.
“Hello class, come in. Please seat yourselves accordingly. Only, could Gryffindors sit on one side of the class, Hufflepuffs on the other, please? Thank you.”
As expected, James and his gang sat directly behind Lily and hers. Allene was now sitting with Lily on one side, and some Hufflepuff boy with soft brown eyes on the other. Before she could stop herself, Allene blurted out an awkward introduction.
“Hi! M’name’s Allene Tranquile. How’re- I mean, who are you?”
“Oh, hello,” he said, as if he’d only just realized she was there. “I'm Sean - Sean Wood.” And he promptly turned back to his friend, with whom he’d been talking.
Humph, Allene thought to herself, so much for kind and loyal Hufflepuffs. He’s probably a Scorpio anyway.
Defense Against the Dark Arts turned out to be a very fascinating class. Sirius actually took notes! Or at least, he and James copied them off of Remus. The four boys themselves (or three of them rather, it was quite difficult to understand Peter) became very close and by the end of the day were inseparable.
But now, the Gryffindors walked out of the class room. Allene threw a disdainful look in Sean-Sean Wood’s direction, but he didn’t notice. Which, of course, angered her further.
“I don’t know what it is Lily. I used to think being an Aries was all great, but something tells me it’s in the stars for me to have a bad temper.”
“No... really?” Lily laughed, she’d noticed her friend’s fiery moods.
“Honestly! It’s not fair. I keep making a fool out of myself at every turn. And that’s supposed to be your job, anger is. With your red hair and all!”
“Hey, cheap shot!” Lily yelled, she was highly sensitive about her hair’s colour. As far as she was concerned, any colour was better than red.
“Oh forget it, you two. Allene, it’s not your fault. Everyone’s high-strung on their first day. And Lily, you’re hair is lovely. You know it!” Serena said, trying to soothe.
“Yeah... wish I could believe you,” Lily grumbled.
They wandered to the Entrance Hall and through the doors. It was great to be outside now. The sun was at its brightest, perfect for a chilly day. The first-year Gryffindors ran down the lawn to Greenhouse One for their first Herbology lesson.
“Quickly, quickly children. You don’t want to cut our meeting short, do you?” A short, stumpy little woman came out of the Forest behind them. She was carrying what looked to be like a giant vine.
Inside, once the class had settled, the woman began introducing herself and the plant.
“Hello all! As you know, I'm Professor Helga Hoodling. I'll be helping you to understand these magnificent plants we share our world with. To begin with, this is Devil’s Snare. Highly dangerous, it seizes the victim with its tentacles and attempts to strangle it to death. Does anyone already know how to stop it?” She looked around the class, hopefully. “There, you boy, how do you stop it?”
Remus put down his hand, “The Devil’s Snare hates light, it recoils from the sun. So all you do is find something luminous and hold it up to the plant.”
“Excellent! Take ten points.”
The class was great, Allene and Lily took turns poking their part of the Snare, trying to see who’d get caught first. Ok, it wasn’t that practical, but it was fun! James and Sirius on the other hand (who’d so quickly taken to teasing him) kept throwing the plant’s arms on Peter. But with Professor Hoodling on hand, they all got out of class alive.
“Yes! We’ve made it! Three o’clock, day’s end,” Daniella shouted.
“And look, you only fell asleep once,” Serena and the other two were laughing again.
“Yeah, I plan to make it a record. Only one mid-afternoon snooze a day!” she said, giggling herself.
The girls trooped up the lawn to the Great Hall, where a delicious dinner awaited them. The Gryffindor table was loud and lively. Exclamations not unlike Daniella’s were heard up and down the table from other first-years.
As the boys came in, Sirius landed on the bench across the table from Allene.
“’Ello there Alli! Fantastic class, wasn’t it?” he said excitedly. “Preferred Defense Against the Dark Arts myself.”
“It’s Allene; and yes, it was fantastic. Can’t believe we got away with no homework! Not even from McGonagall, and Lotti says that never happens.”
“Lotti?” Sirius asked, puzzled by the mentioning.
“Charlotte, my older sister. She’s eighteen or so, graduated last year.”
“Oh, ok. Cool.”
“Wait, you have an older sister?” James asked, receiving nods. “What does she do now?”
“She’s off in Denmark. Trying to improve communications with mermaids and whatever. Not really sure actually,” Allene responded, a guilty look on her face.
Dinner passed with amazing speed and in moments, the Gryffindors headed up the many weaving staircases to the Fat Lady.
“Asphodel,” Lily said, and the portrait swung open.
Inside, they all bid each other good night and parted.
Laying in bed, Sirius whispered to James, “Hey Jamesie, hope you didn’t mean what you said about you not knowing me anymore.”
James pretended he hadn’t heard that first bit, “Nah, don’t worry about it. I was just confused, that’s all. Never heard the word “sorry” come out of your mouth before. That’s all. Why were you so sorry anyway?”
“Well, you saw that Allene and I were shouting. I just realized later that it wasn’t so right - to be yelling at a Gryffindor. I dunno, couldn’t help feeling remorseful.”
“Ah, ok. Makes sense, I guess.”
“Yeah. ‘Night James.”
“Goodnight Siri.”
Sirius rolled over in bed and smiled his gorgeous smile.