3
Anna wandered down the staircase of the girl's dorms. Frank, Alice, and other fifth-year students were catching up in the common room. Frank and Alice looked over, seeing little Anna on the staircase.
"Annie, what's wrong? You should be asleep by now," Frank got up from the plush couches and went to his little sister.
"I can't sleep, Frankie," Anna whispered, self-conscious of the older students watching.
Frank crouched down, ignoring the stares he was receiving from the other fifth-year students. Alice went over too, immediately understanding Anna's problem.
"I can't go to your room like I can at home, Anna. I know it's weird sleeping in a different place than the estates," Frank tried to comfort.
"I can go with her, Frank," Alice rubbed Frank's shoulder. Anna nodded, sniffling a yawn.
"Goodnight, Annie. I'll see you in the morning," Frank held his arms out, waiting for his little sister to hug him.
Anna gave him a tight squeeze and whispered her farewell for the night. Alice held her hand out for the eleven-year-old witch. Anna took the fifteen-year-old's hand; the witches disappeared up the stairs to the dorms.
Alice tucked Anna in for the night, sitting on the young witch's bed. It felt like a mother would do for her child or an older sibling for their younger counterpart.
"Alice," Anna whispered, mindful of her new dormmates, "Did you struggle with sleeping here too?"
Alice brushed the girl's hair from her face.
"Of course I did. Anna, you are just like I was when I was your age. Frankie and I will do as much as we can to guide you through here while we attend," Alice answered, "Now, get some sleep. Tomorrow's a big day. Everyone's first day of classes. Frankie and I'll wait for you in the morning, alright?"
Anna nodded, a sense of tired relief flooding over her. With Alice there, it felt like a sleepover.
"Good night, Alice."
"Good night, Annie," Alice squeezed the girl's hand and quietly made her way down to the common room, closing the young witches' door.
Alice stifled a yawn, settling back beside Frank.
"She asleep?"
"Hopefully. She was scared. I promised what we already promised your parents," Alice whispered, resting her head on her boyfriend's shoulder, "I also promised we would wait for her, before breakfast. So that she knows what way to go."
"Alright," Frank leaned his head against hers; the young couple basking in the silence of familiarity of Hogwarts.
The was a tinge of curiosity within the cosmic heavens above. Through a small gap in the curtain, the cosmos watched over the sleeping year’s cycle. They knew of her future with them, with their mortal counterpart.
Anna was the first one awake from her room; it was that sweet moment between dawn and twilight. The eleven-year-old dressed in her uniform, carrying her tie as she walked to the common room. It was silent compared to the night before, with just one boy sitting in a corner and reading.
"Excuse me," Anna approached the boy hesitantly, he was already in uniform, "Do you know how to tie ties?"
The boy looked at her, his brunet hair ruffled.
"I'm sorry, I usually wait for one of my friends to come out and tie it. But I could try, it might be easier for us to learn," The boy closed his book and motioned her closer.
Anna held out her red and gold tie and leaned forward.
"My name's Anna, what's your name?" She introduced while he brought the thin fabric to the nape of her neck.
"I'm Remus. You're Frank's little sister, right?" Anna hummed and nodded as Remus tried to remember the next step.
The two students fell into silence as Remus slowly tried to tighten the fabric. Anna watched, noticing that Remus had his tie undone but draped over his neck.
"I don't think that's right," Remus sighed and started to undo the tie for Anna. She ran her fingers across the scar on his face with a feathery touch.
"It's okay, does it hurt?" She asked softly, meeting Remus's gaze.
"No, not anymore. I got it when I was nine," Remus answered.
The young girl in front of him reminded him of Lily, kind and compassionate but younger, with hazel eyes, and no fiery red hair.
The two looked at the staircases as they heard footsteps on the stone. Frank, Sirius Black, and James Potter were coming down the stairs, the younger boys paying little mind to their volume so early in the morning.
"Good morning, Annie," Frank smiled at his sister before looking in one of the mirrors to check his tie.
"Good morning, Frankie. Can you help me with my tie?"
“In-” Frank looked back at his sister through the mirror.
"I can help her, Frankie. You're busy with yours," The boy with ebony hair rushed to Anna and Remus. Anna raised her chin, giving the boy more room to tie the tie for her.
"Thank you," Anna spoke softly. The boy helping her and the boy helping Remus were too loud for Anna's liking but they were helping, so she could learn to tolerate them.
"You're welcome," The ebony-haired boy gave a toothy grin.
The ebony-haired boy reminded her of the one in the boat the prior night; what was his name again? Reg… Reggie? No, it was a star… Regulus! The little king and the heart of Leo. Maybe they were brothers or related somehow?
Anna's thoughts were interrupted by Frank's voice. "Sirius, James, you two better get your ties sorted too. You don't want to be late on the first day."
Sirius, the ebony-haired boy, gave a theatrical sigh but complied, while James, the boy helping Remus, grinned and rolled his eyes. "Yes, Frankie," they chorused, eliciting a chuckle from Anna.
With her tie finally in place, Anna felt a rush of gratitude. "Thank you, Sirius," she said again, this time more confidently.
"Anytime, little lion," Sirius replied, ruffling her hair affectionately.
As the group made their way to the Great Hall, Anna walked between Frank and Alice, feeling a sense of belonging. The nervousness of the previous night was fading, replaced by a budding excitement for the day ahead.
"Ready for your first day of classes?" Alice glanced down at Anna, giving her a reassuring smile.
"Yes, I think so," Anna nodded.
"Remember, Annie, if you need anything, just find me or Alice. We're here for you," Frank squeezed her hand gently.
"Thanks, Frank. I will."
As they entered the bustling Great Hall, Anna looked around, taking in the sight of the enchanted ceiling and the long tables filled with students. The air was filled with chatter and laughter, and Anna felt a thrill of excitement.