Sister (slow updates)

Chapter Two

James didn't tell Mum and Dad. I was grateful for that, at least. I couldn't bear for them to know. He did tell Sirius, which felt strange at first. Sirius had always been James' friend. He'd never really taken any interest in talking to me. I was always James' twin sister to him. Part of me never minded too much that that's all I was to him. He was an infamous Hogwarts Heartbreaker.

It was strange to have James suddenly care so much. He'd always been protective when we were kids, but it had fizzled out when he met his friends. He didn't worry about me because I'd met Charlotte. I didn't want to tell him when Charlotte ditched me. I just kept up my act, pretending everything was fine so he didn't have to worry.

Now that was gone. Any hope of keeping my twin's protective nature at bay had vanished. He was set on his ways, now that he knew one of the secrets I'd kept from him the last few years.

Getting to King's Cross was a strange feeling too. I was apprehensive. I wasn't sure what fifth year would entail for me. Not with the looks I caught from Sirius and the overprotective nature of my brother following me around like a shadow.

James and Sirius had taken off for the train with their trunks, wanting to find the best compartment before they all filled up. I stayed back a little longer, hugging Mum and Dad and, honestly, stalling. "Alright, honey, you'd best get on the train before it leaves without you," Mum said, hugging me one last time and kissing the top of my head. "You be good this year. And make sure James doesn't get into any trouble."

"Don't worry, Mum, we'll be fine." I tried to give a convincing smile. "We always are."

With one last wave, I disappeared into the crowd of parents watching their children board the train. I found an entrance near the back and dropped my heavy trunk, trying to heave it up the steps. The train whistle blew and I sighed in frustration, having used almost all my energy just to get it on the first step. Suddenly, my trunk was dragged up the rest of the steps, and an arm was stretched out to me. I looked up and saw Sirius, with his typical grin and dark eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Let's go, Potter. You're going to miss the train." I grabbed his hand and he pulled me up into the train with ease. "Jeez, you're skin and bone!" he laughed, pulling both me and my trunk down to a compartment near the back of the train. I tried to laugh it off, just as Sirius had, but my laughter fell short and he glanced back at me. He looked around before pausing, the train beginning to pull out of the station. "Jocelyn, don't listen what others are saying," he said in a low voice, usual bright grin dropping to a worried frown. "You're beautiful. You always have been. This isn't healthy, and James has been really worried."

"James is being James," I said simply. "He's always been worried when it comes to me."

Sirius shook his head. "Not like this, he hasn't."

Before either of us could say another word, James came running down the train, a bright smile on his face. Sirius gave me one last knowing look before plastering on his usual grin and letting go of my hand to wave at his friend. "There you are, Jo!" James breathed as he came to a stop next to us. "I was looking for you."

"Sirius found me and helped get my trunk on the train," I said, giving him a small smile. "He was just helping me to a compartment."

"Come sit with us," James said, taking my hand. Sirius grabbed my trunk with both hands and followed James and I as I was led down the train. "You remember Remus and Peter, right? I think you and Remus will get along great, the nerds you both are."

"Please, James, it's really not necessary," I begged. "You have your friends. I wouldn't want to intrude."

"You're not intruding, Jo," James declared, stopping and opening a compartment door.

"It's about time you two-" Remus' words were cut off as James pulled me inside the compartment with him. I didn't look up at anyone.

"I hope you two don't mind, but Jocelyn is going to be hanging around more than usual," James said, plopping down in the seat across from Remus.

"I most certainly am not!" I declared with a small huff, looking at my twin. "I am not intruding on the life you've been so happy with." I turned to look at Sirius. "Thank you for the help, but I've got it from here." I took my trunk from Sirius' hands and began pushing it back out of the compartment.

"Jo, please," James sighed. Sirius' hand moved to my shoulder, stopping me.

"No, James." I spun around to face him. "You're happy with your friends. I'll only ruin that for you. I know you want to help, but there's nothing to be done." I pulled Sirius' hand from my shoulder and pushed my trunk into the hall.

"Why don't you stay?" Remus' voice spoke up suddenly. "I'm sure all the other compartments are full by now, and it'd be a miserable train ride stuck with some first years. It's only a train ride."

I huffed and looked back over my shoulder. James had a worried look on his face. The same look he'd had when finding out I was being bullied. I sighed and nodded. Sirius grabbed my trunk and brought it inside, putting it in the overhead for me. I muttered a soft thank you and plopped in the corner by James, pulling my feet up under me and grabbing my latest read from my small book bag.

I sat silently, reading, while James and his friends joked around. At one point, James, Sirius, and Peter had stalked off to do something they more than likely weren't supposed to be doing. Remus sat across from me, looking out the window and fiddling with his wand.

"What are you reading?" he asked suddenly, pulling me from my trance.

"Oh, a Muggle book I found in a used bookstore in London. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen."

"A true classic," he smiled, "but I've never had the chance to get my hands on a copy, unfortunately. I hear her work is exceptional."

"It is quite good. I could loan it to you after I've finished if you wanted to read it?"

"I'd like that, thank you."