Nightingale

Chapter 2 - Meeting the Marauders

Chapter 2

Lucia sat quietly at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall waiting for the other students to arrive. She glanced up at Dumbledore sitting with the other teachers. Sensing her stare, he looked at her and gave her small, reassuring smile before returning to his conversation with Professor McGonagall. Lucia looked back down at her hands in her lap. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, concentrating on blocking out any sound.

By the time Lucia opened her eyes, all the first-year students had been sorted and Dumbledore was finishing his speech.

"I would like to remind you all that students are not allowed to go into the Forbidden Forest," he said while glaring at a group of four boys. They were all snickering behind their hands. "And finally, I would like to introduce you to our new student who just recently transfered from Beauxbatons Academy, Miss Lucia Aethereia. She will be starting her fifth-year as a Gryffindor."

Lucia blushed as she felt everyone's eyes turn to her. She let her hair fall over her face to shield her from all the stares she was receiving.

"Hello," a red-haired girl that was sitting next to Lucia said. "My name is Lily Evans."

"Hello," Lucia replied. "I'm Lucia Aethereia, but I guess you already knew that."

Lily laughed. "Can I call you Lucy?"

"Um, if you want, I guess," Lucia replied unsurely.

"So, Lucy, what's it like in France?" Lily asked. "I've heard it's quite nice there, although I've never been myself."

"It's wonderful," Lucy said wistfully. "Though, I wouldn't miss school all too much."

"Oh? Why not?" Lily asked.

"Don't get me wrong, I love learning new things, it's just that I, well, I got bullied a lot," she replied.

"That's awful, but I'm sure you'll fit right in at Hogwarts," Lily said with a smile.

Lucy was glad she had found a friend, especially on her first day of school. She was worried that her only company would be her brother.

"Lily-flower, my love!" a voice said. It was James Potter, one of the four boys who had laughed during Professor Dumbledore's speech. He had unruly jet black hair, hazel eyes that sparkled with mischief, and round glasses.

"Go away Potter," Lily said in annoyance.

"How rude," another of the boys said. Sirius Black, Lucy thought. She vaguely remembered seeing him and his family at one of her family's parties when she was younger. He had long black hair and grey eyes. "Aren't you going to introduce us to your new friend?"

"Weren't you listening to Professor Dumbledore's speech?" Lily fired back. "If you were, which I highly doubt, you would know who she is."

"Of course I was listening," he replied with an offended expression.

"No you weren't Padfoot," the other boy said.

"Then what's her name?" Lily challenged.

"Uh, Lulu Atkinson?" he tried.

"Not even close," she said.

"My name is Lucy Aethereia," Lucy said.

"Ha, you weren't even close," James laughed.

"Shut up Prongs," he scowled.

"You shouldn't be saying anything, Potter. You probably weren't paying attention either," Lily said.

"You wound me!" James gasped dramatically.

"Will you guys stop bickering like children?" one of the other boys, Remus Lupin, said. He looked up from his book to glare at them. He had brown hair and a tired face.

"Whatever are you talking about Moony?" Sirius asked with a look of innocence.

"We would never bicker like children, would we Padfoot?" James asked.

"Of course not, Prongs," Sirius said.

"See what I have to deal with?" Lily leaned over and whispered to Lucia.

"Are they always like this?" Lucy asked.

"Worse," Lily replied. "They're usually worse."

Lucy watched the boys in amusement. They may be loud and annoying, but it was better than the cold stares she had received at Beauxbatons. Here, everyone was like a family, something she had never had.

After the Welcoming Feast, the prefects lead the students up to the common rooms. Lucy caught a quick glimpse of her brother's dark brown hair in the crowd of Gryffindors, but it was gone as quick as it came.

Sadly, she wasn't able to walk with Lily since she had prefect duties to attend to. That left her in the company of the four troublemakers, better known as the Marauders.

"So, how do you like Hogwarts so far?" Sirius asked. He had snuck up behind Lucy effectively scaring her.

"Oh! Please don't scare me like that, you almost gave me a heart attack!" Lucy exclaimed. "And I love Hogwarts, much better than Beauxbatons."

"You didn't like Beauxbatons?" he asked.

"No, I like it much better here. And I get to see my brother, well adopted brother, more often," she said.

"Who's your brother?" he asked.

"Eros Veneficia," she replied.

"Eros Veneficia?" he asked in distaste.

"Do you not like him?" she asked.

"He's just so... perfect. It's unnerving," he replied. "Though, he doesn't compare to my handsome looks."

"Keep telling yourself that," Lucy muttered.

The Gryffindor common room was very inviting. Lucy loved the cozy feel of it, something she was able to experience very much. She was definitely enjoying Hogwarts more than Beauxbatons.

"Lucy!" Lily said. She had finished her prefect duties and had come up to the girls' dormitory.

"Hey Lily, how are you?" Lucy replied.

"I'm doing well, thank you," she said. "I was just wondering if Sirius was bothering you. I saw you two talking on the way here."

"No, not too much. He only insulted my brother," Lucy replied.

"You have a brother here?" Lily asked surprised.

"Well, he's my adopted brother," Lucy corrected. "Do you know Eros Veneficia?"

"Every girl at this school knows who Eros Veneficia is," Lily said. "I can't believe he's your brother."

"Yep, he's pretty cool," Lucy said. "I'm glad I decided to come here this year."

"Me too," Lily said. "Goodnight Lucy." 

"Goodnight Lily," Lucy replied.

For once, she fell asleep happy knowing that she had friends who cared about her. It was a nice change.

A/N: Sorry for the super late update! Homework and writer's block do not go good together. I hope I will be able to update more often (sadly that might not happen until summer).

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-Rosalie