First day jitters- September 7th, 1971
I've been having a hard time adjusting
I had the shiniest wheels, now they're rusting
It was a sunny, bright day in London. At least that’s what everyone wished, alas it was England so all that resided was shit weather, much to Remus’ disappointment. Why was he even being sent to some shitty boarding school, did they even want him? His father didn’t, he doubted anyone would after his-
Remus was broken out of his thoughts as Lyall Lupin gave him a pat on the back, shoving him forwards and towards the train; the only words he spoke being, “Stay out of trouble, I don’t want nor need any letters from Albus. We clear?”
The 11 year old bit back a growl as he rolled his eyes, nodding at his fathers words and stomping over to the train sulkily, his large and heavy leather trunk weighing his left arm down slightly, causing him to walk rather lopsided.
The sandy haired boy wandered down the narrow yet inviting isle of The Hogwarts Express. After looking through many compartment windows he finally settled on one in the center of the train.
Pushing the door open rather nervously, he set his trunk down one the black, wired rack above the seats. Remus sat down on the red and blue checkered seat, staring down the two boys in front of him.
One gave him a lopsided grin, showing dimples on his dark skin. He ran a slender hand through his thick head of curly, dark hair before sticking it out for Remus to shake.
“James potter.” He spoke in a rather thick accent, before jerking his head to the blonde, pale boy beside him. “And that’s my mate, Peter.”
James heart leapt with relief when the tan, wavy haired boy shook his hand and responded with a mumble in a gruff, thick welsh accent.
Remus Lupin, the boy had introduced himself as, had a long scar running down his face that was a little lighter than the rest of him. James thought it was the coolest thing he’d seen in ages. This boy was definitely going to become one of his friends.
Just as he was about to speak up again, the compartment doors flung open dramatically and in walked a boy with jet black hair and the greyest eyes James had ever seen.
“Sirius Black.” The mystery boy introduced himself as, sitting down on the same bench as Remus.
Sirius grinned at the three boys, who all graced him with their names, two rather warily but the curly haired one was more than enthusiastic; James, was it? Did his family’s reputation really make people hate him that much?
If only Reggie was here. But no, he just had to go sit with those Rosier kids. Why would he pick them over his brother? Sirius was obviously the better choice than some little crotch goblins, but of course Regulus refused to hear him out. So in a fit of bitterness and annoyance, Sirius left to find his own compartment and make his own friends. These three lads wouldn’t be too bad, or so he hoped.
Just then a small voice spoke up, shattering Sirius’ thoughts. The little blonde next to the door, Peter, was asking something Sirius couldn't quite catch.
Thankfully James replied chirpily, giving Sirius and idea of what was happening. “I’m gonna be Gryffindor, just like my dad! He’s an Auror you know?”
“Nah, chat? Same, ‘fink they know eachother?” The sandy haired boy replied, Sirius couldn’t even understand what he was saying. But he had a really cool scar on his face so it must have been something interesting.
“I’m going to be Gryffindor, break the family standards and stuff.” Sirius bragged, then looked over at the short blonde in front of him with a questioning gaze.
It took Peter a minute to realise Sirius expected a reply, no one usually wanted one. Eventually he stammered out, “I- definitely Gryffindor, the coolest wizards are all from there.”
That received a smirk from the black haired boy, who nodded in an approving manner.
After enough talking for a week, Peter drifted off to sleep, resting on James’ shoulder as the other three boys conversed quietly
————
Lily bid her her family goodbye, pecking her mother and father on the cheek before hesitantly looking at Petunina.
“Tuni?” She questioned hesitantly. The hope in her green eyes shattered as Lily's elder sister scowled, hate and furry intruding her face.
Her sister hated that Lily was special, that Lily got powers, but it wasn't as if the redhead had chosen this.
Taking a deep breath, the muggleborn witch walked away, suitcase in hand and a determined look on her face. She entered the train, certain bits of the carpeted floor squeaking as many witches and wizards of all ages trampled over it to find an unoccupied cabin.
Suddenly, a cold and slender hand clutched onto her shoulder, causing her to jump slightly before spinning around. Her face visibly relaxed as she was met with Severus Snape.
“Snape.” She greeted with a smile, pulling her friend into a hug.
“Lily. How have you been?” The dark haired boy queried with a soft smile.
“Great, you?”
“Lovely. Come with me?”
He took her hand and led here down the train and into a carriage. It was sleek with mahogany walls and leather seats, but what captured Lily’s attention were the two boys on one side of the compartment.
One had soft, pale skin with blue eyes and blond hair. But his sharp smirk caused her to remain slightly wary.
Beside him sat a darker boy with a head of brown curly hair, he was at least a head taller than all of them and had a cold stone face, it was as if Lily was staring at a statue.
Snape finally spoke up, sitting down and pulling her beside him.
“Lily, these are some friends of mine.”
He gestured to the two boys and the blonde beside the window tilted his head a little, speaking in a rather condescending tone.
“Adrian Mulciber… and you?”
“Lily, Evan’s. It’s a pleasure.” She replied with a short smile before looking over at the brunette.
“maxwell avery.” He spoke in a bored tone, glaring at her with his chin raised as if he was superior to her somehow.
“He’s a year above us, he’ll help us around.” Severus whispered into her ear, but something about the duo unsettled her.
The group drifted off into some smalltalk, although it was only Severus and Mulciber speaking, with Lily occasionally giving her input. Avery stayed silent the whole time, deep in thought.
——————
Marlene practically ran towards the train, racing her two brothers. They’d bid goodbye to her mother and the eldest two. Mathew and Mitchell laughed as the 11year olds blonde hair was attacked by the wind. Panting for breath, the trio of younger siblings walked through the train and into the first compartment they’d seen.
As they shoved their trunks into the metal slots and sat down, Marlene’s eyes wandered to the curly haired girl beside her. She hadn’t even realised someone else was in the compartment.
She offered the witch, who was applying some lipgloss, a sly grin. “Hi-“
“Your a first year, init?” Mitchell questioned, oblivious to cutting his sister off as his brows furrowed in thought.
“Obviously dipshit, we’ve never seen her before and we’re 6th years!” Matthew drawled mockingly, as if it were obvious, which it was.
Marlene rolled her eyes at the twins, her attention focusing back on the girl as she stuck her hand out. “I’m Marlene, McKinnon. Those two are irrelevant.”
The blonde jerked her head towards her brothers, smile widening as the girl shook her hand with a small laugh.
“Mary MacDonald. You a first year too?” She queried, putting the lip product back into her pocket as Marlene nodded.
“Your hairs neat.” Marlene commented after a few seconds of silence, causing Mary to smile as she muttered a thanks.
The two girls continued chatting until the trolley came by, in which Marlene’s brothers bought the group something.
Mary gave them a smile and nod before asking,
“Thank you. What are these?”
Mary gestured to the brown frog, a… card behind it?
“Chocolate! Silly.” Mathew commented with a smile.
“Cards! You collect them.” Mitchell chimed in, causing small giggles from both boys and a shake of the head from Marlene.
Mary nodded, that much was obvious, but why in gods name was it moving?
The doe eyed girls brows furrowed a little, these boys were awfully giggly for 16.
Her and Marlene continued chatting for the rest of the painfully long ride, talking about houses and how fun Hogwarts would be with the random input of the two sixth years.
——————
Regulus rolled his eyes, still thinking about sirius’ stupid temper tantrum. You’d think he was 5, not 11.
Why was his twin brother so upset about hanging out with the Rosiers? They were family friends and were never horrid to him.
They were good company, that was one of the main things their mother reminded them to keep.
“If I find out anything to do with you two interacting with any blood traitors or mudbloods anymore than necessary I will glue your mouths shut for a month.” Regulus’ mother had hissed as she was fixing Sirius’ shirt. That had been enough to strike the fear of Merlin into him, he doubted it really affected Sirius though.
Sirius had probably found a new compartment by now, it wouldn’t be practical for Regulus to chase after him. He’d just have to check up on his brother once they were at Hogwarts.
The laughter of Pandora Rosier brought him back to reality. Evan continued with his story, something to do with a stick and…fire?Whatever it was, the blonde boy looked proud of himself.
“Black? You ok?” Evan questioned, eyes hinting a little… concern? Maybe these guys wouldn’t be such bad friends.
“Perfect.” Regulus assured, and the rest of the train ride was spent in a calm spell of silence.