Starman

January 9th 1972

The train whistle pierced the chilly morning air, a sharp warning for anyone still lingering on the platform.
“Go on, go, quickly now, before the train leaves!” Amalia’s mother urged, giving her daughters a warm smile as she released them.

The two girls nodded, grabbed their trunks, and dashed towards the nearest train door.
“All right, I’ll see you later, Dimples!” Brandy called, pulling her younger sister into a quick but tight hug before they split off to find their friends.

“Bye!” Amalia replied with a wide grin, waving over her shoulder as she disappeared down the corridor.

Brandy veered off in the opposite direction, leaving Amalia to wander past compartments, peering curiously through each window. Her eyes darted back and forth as she searched for a familiar face.

Finally, about ten compartments down, she spotted Sirius Black sitting alone, staring out of the window.

She hesitated. She and Sirius weren’t especially close. They usually had James, Remus, or Peter around to fill the silences. The idea of sitting alone with him made her stomach flutter nervously. After a deep breath, she slid the door open.

“Hi!” she said brightly, stepping inside with a slightly awkward smile.

Sirius glanced at her, his grey eyes narrowing briefly before a faint smile twitched across his lips. “Oh, hi,” he said, shifting slightly in his seat.

Amalia perched on the sofa opposite him, setting her pet carrier down beside her.

She fiddled with the latch for a moment before speaking.

“How was your break?” she asked, her tone cheerful but tentative.

Sirius shrugged. “It was all right, I s’pose.” He glanced briefly out of the window before returning his gaze to her. “What about yours?”

Amalia’s face lit up. “It was brilliant! I stayed with the Potters for Christmas—” She motioned to the carrier beside her, her grin widening. “And I got a kitten!”

“A kitten?” Sirius asked, his eyebrows raising in surprise. His eyes flicked to the carrier, as though noticing it for the first time. “What’s its name?”

“Ruby,” Amalia said, her excitement bubbling over. “Do you want to see her?”

“Er… yeah, all right,” Sirius replied, leaning forward slightly. He sounded more curious than reluctant.

Unzipping the carrier, Amalia reached inside and carefully lifted out the tiny tortoiseshell kitten. Ruby blinked sleepily, her paws stretching out before she nestled comfortably into Amalia’s arms.

“She’s cute,” Sirius said, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he leaned in for a closer look.

“Do you want to hold her?” Amalia asked eagerly.

Sirius hesitated, leaning back a little. “I’ve never held a cat before,” he admitted, his voice laced with a mixture of embarrassment and intrigue.

“Never?” Amalia gaped at him in disbelief. “How can you have never held a cat before?”

Sirius shrugged. “My parents aren’t animal people. I don’t think I’ve even stroked one.”

Amalia stared at him, as if he’d just claimed he’d never eaten chocolate. “Wow... I didn’t know that was possible.” She glanced down at Ruby, who was blinking up at her with wide, sleepy eyes. “Well, here—she won’t hurt you. She’s really cuddly.”

Before Sirius could protest, Amalia crossed the compartment in a stride and carefully placed Ruby into his arms. He held her gingerly, as though she were made of glass and might shatter at any moment.

“You can stroke her,” Amalia said with a giggle, noting his cautious expression.
“Like this—see?” She reached over and tickled Ruby behind the ears. The kitten purred instantly, her eyes closing in bliss.

Sirius hesitated, his fingers hovering above Ruby’s fur, before mimicking Amalia’s movement. His hand brushed over the kitten’s soft fur, and his expression shifted as Ruby nuzzled against him.

“She likes you,” Amalia said warmly, settling back into her seat.

“I like her,” Sirius replied, glancing up at Amalia. Their eyes met for a moment, and they both smiled.

The compartment door slid open with a bang, shattering the quiet moment.

“There you are!” Peter’s voice called. He and Remus stood in the doorway, with James grinning front and centre.

“I tried to get Lily to come with us,” James said as he flopped down onto the seat beside Sirius. “But she’s too busy hanging out with Snivellus.” He pulled a face, as though the thought physically pained him.
“What’ve you two been up to?”

“I was showing Sirius Ruby,” Amalia explained, gesturing to the kitten now curled up comfortably in Sirius’s lap. “He’s never stroked a cat before—can you believe that?”

“How’s that even possible?” Remus asked, his tone teasing as he perched beside Amalia.

“Exactly!” Amalia said with a laugh.

James reached over to scratch Ruby under her chin, earning himself a soft purr. “Well, at least he’s getting a good introduction.” he said with a grin.

The rest of the journey flew by in a whirlwind of chatter and laughter. They swapped Christmas stories, Remus mentioning, “It was all right at the home this year. The food wasn’t half bad.”

“Glad you liked the chocolate,” James said, his face lighting up. “That reminds me—” He rummaged in his bag and pulled out a Tupperware container. “Pumpkin pasties. Told you I’d bring you some if Mum made them.”

He handed the box to Sirius, whose eyes softened as he opened it to see the neatly packed treats.

“You remembered,” Sirius said quietly, his voice tinged with something like gratitude.

“’Course I did,” James replied with a grin.

Sirius bit into one of the pasties and groaned. “That’s amazing,” he mumbled through a mouthful. “Thanks, mate.”

The compartment erupted into laughter, their voices mingling with the rhythmic clatter of the train as it carried them back to Hogwarts.

•••

Instead of heading to the boats, the first-years were directed towards carriages that appeared to be drawn by nothing.

Amalia climbed into one with Lily, Marlene, and Mary. The carriage rattled up the winding hill towards the castle as they chattered, their excitement for the new term growing with every turn of the wheels.

Inside the Great Hall, the tables groaned under the weight of the feast. Plates magically filled themselves with roast chicken, mashed potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, and steaming heaps of vegetables. The four girls tucked in eagerly, their stomachs growling in anticipation. By the end of the meal, they were thoroughly stuffed, the table littered with empty platters and bowls.

When they finally made it to their dormitory, the girls collapsed onto the floor in a circle, too full to even think about unpacking their trunks.

“Right,” Marlene said, tucking her legs beneath her as she leaned against her trunk. “Spill. How were your holidays?”

“I went to my grandparents’ house,” Lily said, tucking her hair behind her ears. “Spent most of the time dodging awkward questions about school from Aunt Rosemary—she doesn’t know I’m a witch.”

“That’s still better than my aunt,” Marlene said with a dramatic eye roll. “She spent all of Christmas bragging about how her cat, Mr Tibbles, is training to be a magical familiar. He’s not even magical—he just knocks things over and stares at her like she’s daft.”

“Mr Tibbles?” Mary repeated with a laugh. “Your aunt sounds hilarious.”

“She’s… something,” Marlene replied with a wry grin, sending the room into a fit of giggles.

“What about you, Amalia?” Lily asked, her gaze warm and curious.

Amalia smiled, leaning down to unclip Ruby’s carrier. The tiny tortoiseshell kitten padded out, blinking sleepily at her new surroundings.

“I spent Christmas at the Potters’,” Amalia said, scooping Ruby into her arms. She cradled the kitten as she added, “It was brilliant—Mrs Potter makes the most amazing mince pies. And I got Ruby!”

The girls let out collective squeals of delight, leaning in to coo over the kitten as Amalia recounted how she’d been surprised with her. Ruby purred contentedly as she was passed from one pair of hands to the next.

“She’s so tiny!” Mary marvelled, stroking Ruby’s velvety fur.

“And absolutely adorable,” Lily added, a fond smile on her face.

“She’s got good taste in owners,” Marlene teased, handing Ruby back to Amalia with a wink.

“Now,” Lily said suddenly, her tone mock-serious. “To more pressing matters.”

“What’s that?” Amalia asked.

“Presents!” Lily broke into a wide grin, and the girls cheered, diving for their trunks to retrieve the carefully wrapped gifts they’d saved for one another.

“I’ll go first,” Lily declared, handing out parcels wrapped in neat green paper tied with red ribbon.

Amalia unwrapped hers to find a beautiful diary and pen set.

“You mentioned wanting to keep a diary,” Lily explained eagerly. “The pens are enchanted—they never run out. One’s black, the other’s red. And the diary has a charm so only you can read it. If anyone else tries, the writing will insult them!”

Amalia laughed. “I love it. Thank you, Lily,” she said, leaning over to pull her into a hug.

Marlene unwrapped three pins, each enchanted to play one of her favourite songs.

“I thought you could add them to your collection.” Lily said.

“They’re perfect!” Marlene exclaimed, immediately pressing one. Cosmic Dancer began to play softly, and her face lit up.

Mary’s gift was a set of delicate flower clips that bloomed whenever she laughed. She slid one into her dark curls and turned to the others.

“How do I look?”

“Beautiful as always,” Lily said warmly.

Mary beamed. “Thank you, Lily—I love them,” she said, reaching out to squeeze her hand.

The gift-giving continued, with Amalia receiving a pair of silver earrings with red stones from Mary and enchanted gloves from Marlene that adjusted their warmth depending on the temperature.

Finally, it was Amalia’s turn. She handed each girl a small box.

“Is it a ring? Because while I am flattered, Ams, don’t you think we’re a bit young to get married?” Marlene joked, her grin mischievous as she took her box.

Amalia giggled. “Just open them already!”
The girls tore into the wrappings and gasped in delight.

“Oh, it’s gorgeous!” Mary exclaimed, holding up the delicate necklace inside.

Each necklace featured a fine chain and a small gemstone pendant, each in a different colour: Marlene’s was black, Lily’s green, and Mary’s blue. Amalia pulled out her own necklace, which bore a red stone.

“They’re enchanted,” Amalia explained. “If we miss each other, just tap your stone and say your name. The others will glow a different colour to show who’s thinking of you.”

The room erupted in squeals as the girls pounced on Amalia, wrapping her in a big group hug. They collapsed back onto the floor in a tangle of arms and laughter, their new necklaces glinting in the firelight.

“Thanks, Ams,” Lily said, reaching over to squeeze Amalia’s hand.

Mary took the other, and the four girls lay there in companionable silence, Ruby curling up on Amalia’s chest with a soft purr.

One by one, they eventually climbed into their beds, drawing the curtains around them. Amalia snuggled under her duvet, Ruby warm and content at her feet. She let out a happy sigh.

It was good to be back at Hogwarts.