Silver Spring

who the hell are you?

HONEY BROWN EYES eagerly scoured the train platform, it was bustling with excited students and crying parents. Flora Evans had never seen anything like it. Sure, she'd been to boarding school before but nothing this... lively. Unlike the other kids, clinging to their parents, she anxiously checked her phone, praying that her cousin was on her way. The girl was meant to be escorting her onto the train.

"Flora!" Lily Evans' ecstatic voice ripped through the crowd, causing Flora to whip her head around. She tucked a loose curl behind her ear as she beamed at her cousin. They hadn't seen each other since the beginning of summer when Flora's father held his annual 'American themed' party in July.

Flora Evans stood; shoulders slightly stiff as she waited for her cousin to run to her. As excited as she was, the anxiety of starting a new school was really starting to hit. She plastered a large smile back onto her freckled face while her right eye twitched slightly. The braids she'd pulled her long curly hair into were starting to give her a headache as she nervously played with the hem of her denim skirt; a habit she'd had since she was a kid.

"Lily" she said happily, wrapping her arms around her cousin. The two girls had been exceptionally close, with Lily being 6 months older than her and all. They'd spent many summers together at Grandma Evan's estate during their childhoods and spent many hours on Facetime while away at school.

"You look great!" The red-headed girl spoke once they'd pulled away. Lily had always been beautiful, a compliment from her meant the most to her younger cousin.

"Thank you Lils, I wanted to look cute on my first day," Flora smiled, a pink blush on her anxiety riddled face. "I'm rather nervous, what if no one likes me? Or if I don't get along with my roommate?" She frowned; brows furrowed.

"As if," Lily laughed, her red locks blowing in the wind. "Everyone will love you, and as for your roommate, her name's Marlene and she's one of my best friends. I'm positive she'll adore you."

"If you say so" she replied, tone wary.

"I know so" Lily replied in her famous knowing tone, leaving no room for her cousin to argue.

The two girls shared a look before bursting into laughter, grabbing their luggage and making their way towards the train. Pushing past dozens of crying first years and anxious parents until they finally made it off the bustling platform.

*****

"Oh! Here we are" Lily grinned, stopping Infront of a rather large compartment. Flora could hear loud laughter and what sounded like someone playing guitar, coming from the inside.

"What if they don't like me?" Flora asked once again, sounding only a bit less nervous than before. Her cousin only responded with a roll of her eyes and a soft smile before pushing the compartment door open and walking in. Flora shyly remained in the doorway, unsure of what to do.

"Lily- Flower!" A rather boisterous voice called out, causing many laughs and what sounded like someone being smacked on the head.

"Hello everyone," her cousin grinned, shooting an exasperated look at a large boy with dark hair and glasses. He only beamed in response.

"Who the hell are you?" A boy with silky black hair purred, causing six heads to look behind Lily. All eyeing Flora with different looks.

"Don't be rude," another boy scowled at his friend, adjusting his sweater before smiling at Flora. "You must be Lily's cousin?" he asked politely. "I'm Remus". He spoke once more, running a pale scarred hand through his sandy hair.

"Hello, I'm Flora," She spoke, cheeks flushed from the feeling of everyone's gaze on her. Well, that and the boy staring at her how a dog eyes a steak.

"And I'm Sirius, your future husband hopefully," Oh, so that was the boy's name Flora thought to herself. She waved politely, taking in his leather jacket and star earrings.

"Don't be a twat, Siri," scoffed a girl with a blonde shag. Flora thought she was exceptionally pretty, her dark brows contrasting her light hair and eyes. The girl was dressed in ripped mom jeans and a Joan Jett shirt. "I'm Marlene, your roommate, 's great to finally meet ya," she says in a cool tone, standing up to shake Flora's hand before sitting nearly on top of a dark-skinned girl.

"Hey, love. I'm Dorcas." the girl spoke, she had long black locs that had crystals woven into them. Her long brown skirt and pale green chiffon top were an earthy contrast to Marlene's outfit. The former was now wrapped under Dorcas' arm as they both smiled at Flora.

Flora smiled at them, trying her hardest to remember everyone's names. It did help that all her cousin's friends were gorgeous, she thought it'd be rather hard to mix any of them up. A manicured hand waved at her from the other side of the car, and Flora was met with a bright smile as she made eye contact with a curly-headed girl.

"I'm Mary! Oh, Lily has told me so much about you, I reckon we'll get along great," The girl said energetically. She was dressed similarly to Flora, a soft yellow top and short denim skirt paired with white converse. Her shoulder length curls framed her face, bringing out her brown eyes and rosy cheeks.

A genuine smile covered Floras face when Mary introduced herself. Out of all of Lily's friends, Mary seemed the most eager to meet her.

"Hi!" She responded excitedly. "I love your outfit," Flora giggled glancing down at her own denim skirt, pale pink Converse, and cropped pink sweater. The action caused everyone to smile, especially Lily as she saw her cousin loosen up a bit more.

"Now now, let's not forget about Pete and I," the bespectacled boy from earlier grinned. "Hey Flora, names' James. It's great to finally meet you," Floras eyes met her cousins as the boy spoke, eyebrows raising in recognition.

"Ahh so you're James," Flora laughed, taking in the tan boy's muscular appearance. He was wearing bright red Converse with little drawings on them, along with a pair of black jeans and what looked to be a Rugby shirt. She could see why her cousin thought he was cute; she could also see why her cousin found him annoying. The tanned boy seemed rather rambunctious, a contrast to Lily's cool demeanor. 

A faint "I knew she talked about me," could be heard from behind her as Flora turned to face the final boy.

"You must be Peter," she said, being greeted with bloodshot eyes and a dopey grin. The blond boy was slouched in his seat, looking rather stoned in his baggy jeans and dark blue hoodie.

"'s right, nice to meet ya Ms. Flora," He grinned up at her, Flora couldn't help but smile back. Like Mary, she could tell that the two of them were going to be great friends.