Haven

The morning bloomed; So did a new chapter for many of the children; and adults.

The houses of the magical Britian were already up, earlier than a lion's half of these families were used to. It is the magic of the September 1st that all the young children, the freshly admitted disciples of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry, woke up first, usually; some may not have slept at all.

The atmosphere has turned from full of excitement to full of excitement, anxiety and a tune of sorrow, which was being played on a high volume.
The sadness was partly covered due to the magical families being too busy preparing to send their children to Hogwarts.

Fawleys were not the same. They were all packed a day ahead. The parents, woke up like usual; early birds.

But Amara was earliest of them all. She looked like she had the sleep of her life. She went straight to room after her morning tea and got ready fast. Great, she was already 2 hours ahead of the magical British. And she waited. Amara wore a lilac robe and she was all set to go, she could not wait any further.

Melania Fawley followed her daughter soon to the hall while Silas was still getting ready.

The morning lover and enjoyer Mr. Eilam Fawley was late that Mrs. Fawley had to sent their lovely house elf Holly to get him, turns out he was still sleeping.

Wierdly, he grew a habit of waking late when he reached his 5th year. He was perfectly normal till last Christmas break.

The screaming of his mother did the charm for him. He started his lively morning by screaming back at her.

Here we go again.

Amara did not expect that morning to be filled with screams and tauntings. She was expecting something emotional.

Eilam's excuse for being late was that he was reading all night.

Amara heard the sound of apparition in his room by 10. She found him sleeping by 10:30 when she went to show him their grandmother's necklace, which was passed on to her mother when she went to Hogwarts, now to her.

Several complaints, teas and the breakfast later, the time the children were looking forward to finally arrived.
The family's vehicle of transportation, the ministry of magic's car, arrived in their front yard. A good connection to the ministry can score you that. Trust the Fawleys when they say that.

The following ride to the King's cross was silent as it can be, which was only broken for a split time by Eilam who apologized to his mother for his rude behavior. Melania nodded and the silence continued.

Amara found many familiar faces and one particular face with storms for his eyes was coming straight to her with a polite and warm smile.

"I thought you would be earlier than me."

"Hello there, little prince" Amara greeted with a giggle.

"Merlin! not again! Almost everyone forgot about that, can't you too?"

"But Mr. Black, i find it rather adorable. I'm sure Mrs. Black still calls you that." She sniggered.

"So that's how is it. Ms. Grace Fawley."

"Regulus, be serious."

"Someone called me?" Another black haired Black descendant showed up with a grin plastered on his face. He looked much livelier than he was at the party. Unusual, you rarely see a child being happy to be at school than at a party. Hogwarts magic.

"There he comes, I have been putting up with that pun for all summer!"

"Hello there Sirius. How are you going?"

"Good, great even, feels like singing a bit." he flashed Amara a toothy grin. And he waved at a boy walking past the group. Possibly his friend. Amara looked at the family but failed to recognize them.

"I prefer if you don't, Mr. Black." Eilam joined in.

"Oi what's wrong with my singing, Fal?"

"Nothing, except that it is terrible. I still remember the day before Christmas holidays. I'm still getting nightmares of it. Where is your buddy Mr. Black?"

"Oh James? Haven't arrived yet. Still waiting."

" Do you think the Potters fled England? I hope James did. I'm afraid this is going to turn into a disasterous year for Prefects, sadly, including me."

"Congratulations on your appointment Mr. Fawley. Sadly, I am back." A boy with a messy black hair and honey for skin and eyes interrupted them. He wore glasses. She had a guess who that would be.

"James!" Sirius said exitedly. So this is the infamous James Potter, ofcourse she heard about them, from the expected source ofcourse. Regulus eyed the Potter boy with a bored look.
Eilam had a grin. Merlin, what's that about!

"Beware Hogwarts! James is back in town boys." He roared with laughter. People noticed.

Shameless. Chaotic. Messy. Mischief. Amara wrote those words on the walls of her mind as she met the James Potter. She had a feeling that her mind is right in evaluating Potter.

"Saw Remus and Peter?"

"They're here. Same compartment?"

"Then I might as well as join them, see you guys soon. I should bid farewell to my parents then. Sirius, wanna meet them now? You haven't- " James asked Sirius hopefully.

"Eh...well... I guess another time would do. I shall join you guys soon. Sort out the luggage and stuff. It's quite late. I think you should go find your parents."

"Damn right! See you soon." With that James left.

"So you are not going to be with me, during the ride, Sirius?"

Amara had been expecting to join them too. She knew Eilam could not make it.

"Who said that? Ofcourse you will be with me!"

"With your friends?"

"Yes actually. I was hoping to-"

"I think i will go with Amara." Regulus said.

"Eh what?" She wasn't expecting to get tangled up in that.

"Unless Amara has any problem with me?"

"Oh no no Regulus. Not at all."

"Well then-"

"Why don't you join me Amara?" Sirius asked Amara, she was speechless on the matter.

"That's a good idea, join them, i have prefect duties anyway, so i can't be there." Eilam nodded. It would not be bad to spend time with them, and she wanted to meet Sirius' friend whom he talks about day and night.

"If it is fine with your friends, i shall."

"They are fine. " Sirius confirmed merrily. "Reggie?" He looked at his brother full of hope.

"Fine."

"Very well then, that's settled. We should say our goodbyes to our parents. Its nearly time." Eilam hurried.

The group walked towards their parents who looked like they were having an important discussion on Merlin knows what.
The Hogwarts Express would soon leave. Eilam left for prefect duties with a simple goodbye, nothing more, just a simple dry goodbye.

Melania pulled Amara in for talking which mostly consists of the same subjects they discussed last night.

"Dear, keep an eye on your brother for me. He has been worrying me lately. It will all be fine, after all you're going to be there with him.
Write to us after the sorting. We will await your letter and the good news. Bye. Now hurry off." She kissed her daughter's cheeks and said her goodbyes.

"Make us proud." Silas told his daughter, pulling her into a short hug. There ended their last moment. With that she entered the train.

Amara looked at her parents for the last time. A picture to last forever.

Amara found Regulus standing outside a compartment.

"What took you so long Amara?"

"Sorry, last moments with family right. Were you waiting for me?"

"I was." He took a deep breathe. "Amara,are you fine sitting with them? We can find-"

"Relax Regulus...they're his friends anyway. Well, is there any reason you don't want to meet them?

"Nothing. Let's go in, shall we?"

Amara breathed in.

Minds open. Enjoy.

The compartment was filled with conversations and laughter, it was lively. A brief moment of silence took over the compartment as the duo entered. Then there was lively conversations again.

Amara noticed two new faces among them.

"I knew this was Regulus just from one look. You're just the mini Sirius, you know?" James commented and Regulus just nodded.
"Not exactly a talkative one, eh?" James questioned.

"Just the first day nervousness. He loves to talk. " Sirius assuered.

"And you princess? The little Fawley?" James turned to her.

"She is. Amara, meet my friends."

"I'm Amara Fawley, nice meeting you all."

"Amara? That's a cool name. I'm James."

"I'm aware. Heard a lot about you."

"All good things i assume?"

"Hardly."

"Splendid." He laughed.

"Hey, I'm Peter by the way, Peter Pettigrew. Nice meeting you." The blond plump boy introduced. Amara smiled at him and eyed another one who hasn't spoke yet. He was watching everything with an amusing smile.

"And you are?"

"Remus Lupin. Half blood. Nice meeting you."

Odd.

"Nice meeting you too. Lyall Lupin's son?"

"Obviously. I'm not aware of any other Lupins that I could be a part of." He chanted cheekly.

"Anything from the trolley dears?" James mocked the feminine voice and pointed at the trolley witch with a mischievous grin.

"Save some space for the delicious delights of Hogwarts, James." Sirius warned.

"Plenty of space for food mate." Remus replied, standing up moving towards the witch.

"My treat, in the honor of our new two little friends here. Visited Aunt Marie this holiday." James stopped Remus with a grin.

"Splendid. What a great thing to have rich friends." The eldest heir to the noble house of Black chanted.

"May James' kind big heart grow bigger every year." Remus grinned. Peter snorted at his friends.

"Well...I've got money, I can buy it if-"
Amara offered but was interrupted by Regulus.

"Not rich enough to decline free sweets." Regulus assured and he smiled sweetly at the group. Sirius laughed.
Soon James left with Peter and returned soon with handful of sweets to last a lifetime.

"I told you to leave some space for dinner James." Sirius scolded with a grin.

"We're bigger in number this day mate. And that calls for a blast. Make the day memorable for them, you know?" That made everyone chuckle.

Amara felt awkward, taking food from a guy she just met. She always felt that shy and a wave of pride taking over her everytime she accepted something from someone. Her mother taught her to politely decline offers first, you can have them at the end anyways.

She settled for a treacle tart at last.
But Sirius had another one of his fun ideas.

"Try bertie bott's every flavoured bean. Its fun." Sirius offered.

"No thank you. Nothing i find funny about having vomit flavor in my tongue." Amara declined.

"But it's fun! It's all about that adventure! That's the real fun part, innit?"

"Affirmed. Wait- you've never tried it out, have you?" Remus accused. "Everyone in the magical Britian have tried it! Don't tell me you haven't!"

"Ofcourse i have. Twice. Eilam shared it with me. Bless his soul, he actually picked and gave me the nicer ones even. Oh wait, i remember the grass one, i don't want them in my mouth ever again. I prefer visiting the hospital wing not being the first ever thing i do at Hogwarts."

"Merlin, Fal is so sweet to his little sister!" Remus chuckled.

"But yhat's sucks the complete fun out of it! I remember my dad once picking out the worst flavors and giving it to me on the day after the April fools day. He wanted me to learn to not trust anyone. But i still have fun with it." James added.

"Potter, your dad is so cool! He rocks."
Sirius commented on his best friend's traumatic memory.

"Sounds like something my sister does to me. I never want to feel that ew." Peter added.

"Reggie, wanna try?" Sirius eyed his brother suggesting with chaos taking over. So he did.

"Mmm, apple, this is good." The younger Black proclaimed.

Then Amara took one which turns out to be pepper. And she picked another one. Spinach.

"Third time's the charm." Peter encouraged.

"Chocolate" she giggled. "Thought it would be dirt."

"And you tried it?"

"Third times the charm." She gave the group a sweet smile.

"Amy?" The voice of her brother caught her attention.

"Heya there Fawley, aren't You, like, supposed to be on duty or something?" Potter accused.

"I am, Potter, just checking up on my little sister."

"I'm well. Just trying out Bertie botts."

"That's fun."

"Oh and we were listening to the story of sweet brother Fal who picks out the best flavors for his little sister." Sirius chuckled.

"I refuse to confirm any rumors. Anyways, have fun everyone. I should return."

"Aw leaving so soon? Are you sure you don't want to pick out the nice flavors for your sister again?" Potter sniggered.

"I will be taking one of those chocolate frog for that comment. See you soon in the castle. Thalia might be looking for me now. Bye Amy, See you in the castle. Find me if you need me."

"Oh come on, we are here, if she needs."

"My sister being with you is an enough worry for me, Potter."

"Oi, we're model students. Who else would have been a better companions than us? They're having fun, aren't they?" James looked at Eilam with doe eyes.

"Ofcourse! that's why I left my lovely sister with your gang of precious goody good boys. Bye, i don't have time for this. Have fun." With that he left.

"Seems like my brother and you are close."

"Oh yeah we are. The friendships forged in tragedy stays i guess." James said with a smile.

"Is that the Gryfindoor motto or something? It's like, I'm hearing it from every Gryfindoor I meet." Amara chuckled.

"Good idea. We should, maybe, present a petition to make it the gryfindoor motto." Sirius giggles.

"Of course i might allow it, but pay me grants for the idea." James chuckled.

"Of course we will, though I doubt we would be as generous as your Aunt Marie." Remus chuckled.

"I offer you my firstborn, Master Potter." Peter sniggered.

"I accept your generous offer Mr. Pettigrew but make sure to marry an intelligent woman and let us hope
it gets her brain, i don't want a stupid child."

"Rude." Peter huffed.

"I would love to hear about the great tragedy that started your friendship with my brother."

"In the detention." James said frankly.

"Eilam was in detention?"

"No! We were in one. Eilam was in the potion's classroom at that time, extra credit and all, bloody brainiac. Thank Merlin for him though, he let us out of it." Sirius added suddenly.

"Uh well, we appreciate your brother and all. " Potter added.

Then there was silence.

"You all completed your holiday homework, right?" Remus asked breaking the awkward silence.

"I did! Like within the first month. I had nothing better to do at home anyways." Sirius answered and looked at Regulus. Both of them shifted their eyes from each other.

" mSomeone should help me with my transfiguration essay and it will all be over. Oh and Sirius, please do check my Astrology homework, will you?"

"Of course Pete."

"Thanks. James, what about you? You have completed your works, right?" Peter eyed his friend.

"Of course i have! Eh well, except for History of Magic. Just the last portions i swear!" James confessed, smiling innocently. "It's not like Old dead Binns is gonna read them all! I'll do 'em anyways. I've got you guys."

"You're on your own, James." Remus laughed.

"I know you'll help me out later anyways, Rey my ray of sunshine! Your big brains will come to help, i know!" James grinned.

"Don't you dare get cheesy with me Potter. I don't fall for flattering. Have some class."

"We all know you secretly love it. Can't lie to your mates, Lupin." James grinned.

"That's another lesson for today, lads. Remus is prone to flattering." Peter chuckled.

"Tell us about the teachers." Regulus asked the group. Amara shook her head.

"Well, which subject are you looking forward the most?" Sirius asked. "Let me guess Reg! It's Astronomy, isn't it?"

"Got that right. Well I'm looking forward for Potions too. " Regulus answered.

"You're Sirius' mini version. He loved Astronomy. He's really good at it." Peter added.

"The Blacks knows their stars well."
Sirius laughed.

"Well, you would love Professor Zenith then. Though I thought she is a little wavy in her head when she started bringing mathematics into the subject. Sirius loves her, a little too much." James giggles and continued- "For me? I don't enjoy it much like I used to. Well, i don't think i enjoy anything related to studying."

"I think you're just dense to understand the beauty of the subjects." Sirius added smugly.

"You like Astronomy because you're good at it."

"I don't deny that. I'm siriusly good at it." Sirius laughed at his own pun and a few, namely Peter giggled with him, Amara did too.

Regulus did not hide how stupid he found his brother's pun. "Seriously, If I have to hear that one more time, I would rather jump off this train."

"Imagine putting up with that for the whole semester everyday." Remus sighed.

"Come on Rey, you have to give my puns more credit."

"Anyways" Remus rolled his eyes. "Professor Zenith is a great teacher . She could get her hotheaded sometimes, if only you mess with her." Remus led them back to the intro to Hogwarts subjects and teachers.
"As for Potions...well you're in luck, if you want to get in a good page with Professor Slughorn. Your families will probably instantly put you in the list of extraordinary students that ol' Slughorn cherishes. And you can attend posh meetings of the Slug club." He sniggered.

"Don't get him wrong; they're great if you want to meet new influential people and get your roots firm! It's just that they're...." Peter added but was soon interrupted by Sirius.

"Boring. And honestly, Slug club? Who names their club that? Potter and I made the cut last year. Merlin, the Christmas party was something... they're very fancy, and the food and the celebrities."

"I've heard about those from -" Amara started only to be interrupted again by James.

"Fal, right? Of course, he's Slughorn's one of the most priced pupils. Big brains and big family, such a catch."

"Indeed. That's a lovely nickname you have for him. "

"Well, what do you call him, Ms. Fawley?" James questioned.

"Everyone in my family addresses each other by each others name and often titles. "

"Well, we love nicknames so we just shorted your surname. I call Regulus Reggie sometimes."

"Don't -It's not much flattering, is it?"

"Don't worry my little prince, i would never call you that." Amara chuckled.

"I'm seriously thinking about murdering both of you."

"I wish I had a nickname. It is impossible to have one with my name, oh come on! James Potter?"

"James and arse kinda go off." Sirius sniggered.

"Shut up! You're literally a dog in the sky."

"Guys, guys calm down. Let's act mature, shall we?" Peter calmed his friends down. Remus continued his giggling. "Where were we? I think we should continue telling them about professors."

"What do you like, Amara?" Remus asked.

"Never gave that one a thought honestly. I do wanna do flying. It sounds exciting."

"Oh yes! A flying fan! Welcome to the club, Amy! Are you any good?" James excitedly questioned.

"No, not really. I can fly, but I'm kind of scared and that's exactly i wanna do that. We don't do much flying in our home. We use other methods, but i find them rather intriguing."

"Potter's a champ at flying. Best of our year." Sirius complimented his best friend.

"Proudly carry that title. I might apply
for quidditch this year! Anyone else?"

Sirius nodded. "I love the games."

Quidditch really never piqued Amara's interest much. She loved a good game though.

"Siriu, you should definitely try out." Regulus encouraged.

"You really think so?"

"You're fair flyer. I've seen you fly. And you love the games, why don't you try?"

"Then the game's on. I must hold my brother's words to the upmost value. I'm gonna snatch up the quidditch position!" Sirius grinned.

"That's the spirit mate! Anyone else? Pete?" James grinned.

"I think I should focus on walking properly on Earth first. I'll be there on the stand cheering on you both of course!"

"What about you, Remus? Mate, you wanna try it?"

"Can't bother waking up early for practice." Remus just smiled.

And so on, they were having a good time until the non-merry souls decided to interfere their good time.

"Ofcourse the Black heir is a lost cause. But Ms. Fawley, i thought you would have class. Hanging out with them." The first guy entered, with menace in his mind.

"What are you doing with us, lowering your class, Rosie? Bored of Slytherins?" James glared.

"We were just checking up on our friends. We are quite friendly with Ms. Fawley and young Mr. Black here.
We thought we should lead our young friends in the right path right from the beginning , can't allow any mistakes in our closely knitted community again, can we?" Rosier grinned, staring directly at Sirius upon his last words.

"They're fine. Thank you for checking in, now if you leave us alone... " Sirius tried to tell them off.

"Spare Mrs. Black's poor heart and leave Regulus out, won't you?" Greengrass spat. "And Ms. Fawley, does your brother know about you spending time with the mischief gang? If you want to be with someone familiar, you can come with us." he offered

"My brother does know." Amara interrupted James who had fire in his eyes.
"Infact he checked up on me and returned upon seeing me perfectly fine. He proposed the idea of being with someone familiar on my first day. He is quite busy with his duties, you know? Well who is closer to our family that the noble Black family?! Well, thank you for checking upon me, but I am fine here. I'll definitely see you soon." She smiled sweetly.

"Regulus?" Amara asked with a smile.

"I'm having a good time. I think I'm going to spend the rest of the ride with my brother. Thank you for the offer." He too, gave a smile too sweet.

"Aren't you guys a little embarrassed? They chose our company. You must be quite boring. Sorry. Well, why don't you leave now?" James grinned.

"Shut up Potter. You'll know where to find us if you need us, Regulus, Ms. Fawley. Just remember where you belong. See you this evening at the Slytherin mate." Greengrass sneered.

"Of course, we'll be there." Amara smiled assuringly.

"Good bye for now. Continue having a good time." Rosier smiled in a bored manner. "Let's go, shall we?"

"Goodbye mate! Tell Lestrange that I miss him." James flashed his smile and waved them goodbyes.

There came the laughter.

"That was cool. You guys totally told them off. " James grinned

"That was scary. Merlin, what have I done?" Regulus sighed.

"You stood up for your brother." Remus smiled.

"A bunch of arses, they are.
Always behind us. They were behind Sirius last year for a couple of months until he had told them off. That's why you stand up to the bad, you have to shoo them off or they'll assume we're scared and will keep continue to haunt us." James told the younglings, looking like a wise men passing his wisdom to his disciples.

"Too wise for James Potter." Peter grinned.

"They were just checking up on us. They aren't complete strangers to us." Amara told the gang firmly, a little bit of her mother peeping through her voice.

"Yeah, right." Sirius rolled his eyes. "You know, in the parties, they were trying to isolate me, make me feel less. You were there. "

"Oh my Merlin! Parties! The myth about Pureblood society is true then!" Remus acted shocked.

"Oh very much. They love their parties. Your father was a known ministry official. He must know all about those parties." Sirius chuckled.

"He retired when I was...a little kid. He wasn't really was a party person but I've heard about posh parties from him, of course." Remus answered flatly.

"I thought Gryfindors were party people." Regulus questioned.

"Rumor proven to be true. I mean, look at my parents. We all are big on parties of course! But parties are supposed to be merry. Not all about maintaining relations and such. You both should attend one of our parties! That will show you how fun a party is supposed to be!" James exclaimed.

"I was invited once." Amara chuckled at Sirius.

"Offer still stands. You too, Reggie." Sirius grinned.

"What house you think you both will go into?" Peter asked suddenly, munching a cauldron cake.

"Slytherin probably ." Regulus answered in an instant.

"I'll be where my brother is." Amara agreed with Regulus.

"Damn, not even a moment of hesitation." Peter said, bemused.

"Is that because all your family has been there?" Remus questioned.

"Nah, I just know where I belong." Regulus answered frankly.

"I think I'll be there, well, does hearing our answer change anything ?" Amara asked the group and they looking taken aback for some reason.

"Nothing changes. Just hoping it will be the same for you." Sirius spoke, a warmth creeping up in his voice.

Merlin, why do they all have to say stuff like that. It's like we are gonna be tranced by a creature of dark. Amara wondered.

"Just to say, I hate where our conversation is leading us." Regulus interrupted, uncomfortable.

It didn't take them a lot to travel back to merrier subjects than their differences in preferences.
That was something Amara liked about Sirius' Gryfindoor friends. They were good at fun, they were fun, they knew how to make things fun.

She looked at Regulus, who too looked like he was enjoying his brother's friends' company. The rest of the journey continued merrily.

The atmosphere was filled with magic a lot more magical than the magic itself. Sirius Black was right and Merlin, it was addictive. She already craved more of it; she felt like any kinds of change is worth this, if she get to experience more of this for the rest of her life.

This magic was something to love, secretly.