Game On

Part 1 - Trains & Tossers

"Jade!!"

Three female voices shout out as I open the train compartment door, out of breath. I give a small smile to my friends and collapse into the empty spot next to Marlene and slowly begin to catch my breath.

Lily, Mary and Marlene all look at each other a mix of concern and humor on their faces.

"We thought you weren't gonna make it." Mary laughs out.

The Hogwarts Express has already pulled out of the station.

"Mum wouldn't go..through the platform..wall," I respond, still panting. "She kept asking...the worker if there was a service elevator...we could use to get to Platform 9 3/4."

The rest of the girls laugh while I continue talking, having mostly recovered by now. "7 years and you'd think she'd be used to it. Eventually I just had to run through when she wasn't looking."

This receives more laughter from the girls.

"That's why I always just say goodbye to my parents at the car." Lily responds.

"I'll have to take that approach next time." I grin. "Anyway, Hi!" I reach across the compartment pulling Mary into a hug, then I hug Lily and Marlene. We exchange greetings and begin discussing our summers.

I tie my red tie as I listen to Mary discuss some muggle boy that she went out with this summer.

I laugh as I begin to feel the familiar feeling of being with my best friends on the train towards my favorite place in the world. I'm so grateful to be back, god I've missed this.

Lily Evans, Mary Macdonald, Marlene McKinnon and I had been best friends since our first year at Hogwarts. Us four Gryffindors had clicked the second we sat next to each other at the feast.

Lily and I had specifically bonded over our Muggle-born blood status. Of course that's not to say Mary and Marlene had ever treated either of us differently despite their pure-blood status, they hadn't. Unlike others...including Lily's former best friend Severus Snape. But that's no matter, we had helped Lily through that mess in 6th year.

"Of course it was just a summer fling though," Mary continues "It was bound to end, simply can't be helped. Or else how would I snog any suitable men this year?" Mary snickers.

"Mary, please tell us you've started working on your kiss list for this year." Marlene jokes.

"You know me so well my dear. And the first boys on my list are two certain red haired t-" Mary stops talking as the door to their compartment slides open.

There James Potter stands, looking down the hallway seemingly distracted. I sigh knowing wherever James goes his entourage of idiots are sure to follow.

The self proclaimed 'Marauders' were quite possibly 4 of the most annoying boys at Hogwarts. Well actually not Remus, he's alright. 3 of the most annoying boys at Hogwarts. Okay, well Peter isn't that annoying but he's a little weird so maybe just 2 of the most annoying boys. Anyway, the Marauders have endlessly annoyed me and my friends. Whether it was dung bombs or letting rifflers loose in our dorm, every one of us had been the victim of one of their pranks at one point or another. Yet, the other girls had managed to stay on decent terms with the boys for the most part. However, to me it was more than that, there was one Marauder in particular that really got under my skin.

And there he appears, standing next to James, leaning into the room with a brash look on his face.

Sirius Black.

I wasn't sure if it was his cocky attitude or his blatant lack of respect towards women but either way I really couldn't stand him. It's not like Sirius had done anything particularly horrific to me. I mean honestly I don't even know the Marauders that well but I know him well enough to know he's a wanker. Not to mention the whole 'Mary and Sirius' melodrama in their 4th year.

Peter and Remus arrive last and stand behind the other two boys in the hallway. Remus uncomfortably leans against the crowded hallway and pulls out a book.

"Alright Evans?" James smiles.

Lily rolls her eyes and begins to respond as Marlene leans over and whispers in my ear, "And so it begins."

I quietly snorts in response. It hadn't even been 30 minutes into 7th year and Potter has already begun his pursuit of Lily. Another reason why I dislike the group. I mean really how many rejections does it take for you to get the message Potter?

"Come on Evans don't be like that." James pleads, supposedly in response to whatever Lily just said.

Much to Lily's relief Mary changes the topic, "You boys have a good summer?"

The boys all respond in agreement and Sirius begins to tell a story about his summer at the Potters.

Sirius had been staying with James' family since he was disowned from the Blacks the summer before 5th year.

I barely listen to the story but instead focus my attention on scanning over the boys.

Peter looks almost the same as in years before; short and blonde.

Remus is further out of my view and is slightly hunched over his book. His tall and lanky body somehow always seems out of place. He's a cute boy though, dirty brown hair and an adorable smile. His scarred face looks up momentarily and we make eye contact and exchange polite smiles. I have to admit I had always somewhat related to and respected Remus' quiet demeanor.

I move my focus to James who goofily smiles at Sirius. I must admit he looks good this year. He ruffles his dark curly hair that's always out of place and pushes up his glasses. He's always been a fairly attractive boy but it seems this summer he's really grown into his athletic build.

The same can be said for Sirius. His long black hair falls elegantly around him and the features of his long and chiseled face look even sharper than in years past. His skin glows a dewy bronze. He definitely looks taller, though still not as tall as Remus of course. Probably the exact same height as James. My eyes scan over his torso. He's more slim than James but still obviously fit. You can tell just by looking at his white button up shirt that he's definitely got-

My eyes flicker back to his face and I realize his dark eyes are locked on my green ones.

Shit. He totally just caught me checking him out. He slickly looks me up and down and smirks. I begin to feel my ears and face burn. I resist the urge to roll my eyes and instead look towards the window, subconsciously, moving my light brown hair over my shoulder.

I must admit. I know I've changed this summer as well. I know it's done me well, my skin is tanner and the freckles across my nose show more. My hair and my legs have grown longer. I felt confident walking to the Hogwarts express this morning but one glare from Sirius and I'm back to my little first year self.

"Anyway, that's why playing Quidditch during a storm probably isn't the best idea." James finishes his story. I remain staring out the window but feel like Sirius' eyes are still on me. "Lily we should probably get going to the prefect meeting." James says flashing his Head Boy badge.

I still have no idea how he managed that. Lily sent me a very angry letter when she found out.

"Oh yeah, I'll be back soon girls." Lily cheerfully replies walking out of the compartment while pinning on her Head Girl badge.

"Bye guys." James eagerly trails behind Lily and Remus and Peter follow.

I turn back to the door to see Sirius' eyes still locked on me.

"See you at the feast ladies." Sirius says, winking at me while he goes.

Dammit. This is gonna be a long year.