A New Beginning

Chapter 5: Friends?

Anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you.

Misty Copeland

xXx

September 1st, 1971

"Don't get in too much trouble. We will see you two in Yule, yes?" Adelia asked.

"Mére! I can not believe that you think of us so low. You wounded me, mére." Elisabeth said, fake offended. It was not so loud but got the desired effect, as the whole family chuckled.

"But please, be careful and enjoy your schooling. Don't rush anything yet, dears." Joseph advised gently. He brushed a gentle kiss on each of their foreheads as a goodbye.

Hugged them each goodbye, Elisabeth and Hermione boarded the Hogwarts train Express for the seventh time. Hermione couldn't believe that they were going back today. She has almost expected the familiar redhead family and Harry to board the train with her. But looking around the train now, she could only see her future friend here and there on these strangers' faces. With their trunks already shrunken, the two started to find an empty compartment for themselves.

They didn't make it very far until Hermione heard someone calling her name. Turned around, she was surprised to be faced with a younger Sirius. Compared to the time they saw him in Madam Malkin, he was happier for sure, with his broad smile and all. Hermione couldn't help and returned it.

"Hey, you two, remember me, yeah? From Madam Malkin the other day. Sirius Orion Black the Third at your service, miladies." And of course, as dramatic as always, he bowed down and kissed her and Elisabeth's knuckles.

Hermione couldn't keep herself from chuckle at that. Even at eleven, he is as flirtatious as when he was thirty-six. She did finally managed to introduce herself.

"Hermione Derwent. Nice to meet you again." She said between chuckles.

"Elisabeth Derwent." Elisabeth also said, with an amused expression on her face.

"Derwent? Really? They haven't had daughters in like four generations, ain't it?"

"Yes, seem like you know a lot about our family?" Elisabeth answered, with her eyebrow raised, amused.

"Have to learn, you know? Sure you lot have to learn it too." Sirius answered with an easy smile. It was nice to see how carefree he was, given how Azakaban has or will corrupt him in the future. Hermione just hoped that she could keep such happiness on his face this time around.

"Oi Sirius, introduce me to your new friend, yeah?" A voice that oh so familiar to Hermione echoed somewhere. People always said Harry looks like his father, and it was quite an understatement. They were almost like twins! If it was not for Elisabeth's hand, she might run and hug him right away. She was pulled back into reality when it was not the bright green eyes of her best friend looking at her.

"James Potter, at your service." He did an extravagant bow, which told a lot about why he and Sirius got on immediately. After they introduced themselves again, James invited them to their compartment. They declined, however, needing to find an empty one for discussion. As they were leaving, Sirius called them back, scratching the back of his head as he did so.

"Hey, I have been wanted to thank you both for what you said to me at Madam Malkin. You two don't know how much it means to me." Hermione smiled sadly at hearing that.

"It is nothing. I'm glad it helped you." Elisabeth assured.

"So, see you two at Hogwarts, yeah?" Just like last time, he waved at them both before joining James.