Somewhere Only We Know - Part 2 - Sirius Black x OC

Chapter 3: Try

Gemma sat patiently in the Great Hall as she waited for her name to be called. They had been back at school for a week, and they were now learning how to apparate.

Gemma was excited and nervous. It was well known that while apparating was the fastest and most efficient form of travel – and a particularly useful skill for an Auror to have – it was also dangerous. Mr Twycross, the elderly Ministry of Magic Apparition instructor, had just shared some rather horrifying stories of witches and wizards splinching; it had done nothing to calm Gemma's nerves.

Given the importance of apparition, each student was required to sign a declaration that they wouldn't misuse their new found ability, and after the twelve week course, they would be rewarded with an apparition license.

"Miss Arwin." Professor McGonagall called Gemma up and directed her to stand on the central spot. All other seventh years were talking amongst themselves while they awaited their turn, but Gemma knew a few would be watching. Merlin she didn't want to mess this up.

Gemma handed her signed declaration over to Mr Twycross who reviewed it and then stamped it. Then he stood in front of her. His wiry blond hair stuck out at all angles and his sharp nose made him look like he permanently disapproved of her. Maybe he did. Gemma suspected he wasn't a fan of students in general.

"Please recall the three D's Miss Arwin."

Gemma took a steadying breath. "Destination, Determination and Deliberation."

"Very good." Mr Twycross turned and took five deliberate steps away from Gemma. Then he turned. "Now, apparate to here Miss Arwin." He pointed to the spot next to his feet.

Gemma took another deep breath and thought back to the start of their lesson where Mr Twycross had shown them the hand movement. She then focused on those three D's. She was determined; she was going to reach her destination and Merlin she would do it deliberately.

Gemma focused on the spot next to Mr Twycross. Suddenly, everything went black and she felt like she was being pressed hard in every direction. But almost as quickly as the darkness and compression had arrived, it disappeared and Gemma found herself standing back in the Great Hall.

She wavered slightly on her feet, then registered a few things. Mr Twycross was now standing next to her, not in front of her; a handful of students were clapping and cheering; and she felt... intact.

Gemma did an immediate sweep of her body and was relieved to see she still had all her limbs, skin and hair. Then she turned to her friends and saw them all standing up smiling at her. Merlin's Beard; she had done it.

"Very good, Miss Arwin." Mr Twycross said, pulling her attention back to him. "In a moment we'll work on a slightly further distance. But first, you should sit back down. You might feel queasy for a while."

Gemma nodded and moved back to her seat, suddenly registering that she did indeed feel quite sick. As she took her seat, Alice handed her a glass of water. "Well done, Gemma. I don't envy you being one of the first up."

Gemma smiled as she took a healthy gulp of water. "Thanks. The joys of having a surname beginning with A."

Lily and Mary both came over, followed by the guys, to ask her about the experience. As she explained the strange feeling of being compressed, Sirius was called up. Gemma kept talking to Lily and Mary, but kept one eye on Sirius. She really hoped everyone was able to do it without injury.

As the day slowly rolled on, each student made two attempts to apparate. First over a distance of five steps, then a second time over a distance of ten steps. No one in their year was severely injured, but some did splinch parts of their arms, legs and skin; all repairable though.