Origin Stories - Marauders Era - ATQ Contingency

Chapter 6: Start of Second Year

As soon as I stepped through the barrier, I was engulfed in a hug.

"Oh, Rose! I missed you!"

I couldn't help but laugh.

"We saw each other last week, Sal."

She rolled her eyes as she stepped away to let Marina and Magnus greet me.

"Is your brother excited?" Magnus asked.

I nodded my head. "Oh yeah."

My brother had barely slept last night and had spent all morning in a state of hyperactivity. He'd practically bounced all the way to King's Cross.

"Speaking of him, I should go see him off." I flicked my head over the area where the first years were departing.

"Okay," Marina agreed. "We'll stay right here and wait for you."

I nodded and headed over to my family.

I got there just before Mum was about to talk to Josh. Lucky for me. If I'd gotten there a minute later I would have been stuck for at least ten minutes before I got a word in. I shoved in after Dad's hug before Mum could start her goodbye.

I ruffled Josh's hair. "You ready, buddy?"

He attempted a scowl but couldn't hold it for more than a few seconds before his face fell into a grin. "Yeah."

I pulled him into a tight hug. My whispered advice was quiet and fast. This was how we always communicated when we didn't want Mum and Dad to hear. I usually used it to tell him advice right before he got in trouble.

"Your nervous aren't you?"

"Yeah."

"It's okay. It will be fine. Just, trust the hat. Don't listen to all the rumours about house rivalry. Remember, you can always come to me. No matter what."

I pulled away from him, punching him lightly on the arm.

"I promise not to embarrass you too much. Have fun on the train, little bro. I'll see you after the Sorting Ceremony. Good luck."

With that I walked over to my group of friends, which had become bigger in the time that I was away. James, Sirius, Remus and Peter had joined my other friends. I grinned at them as I approached.

"Well, what do we have here? A group of no-good trouble makers."

Sirius grinned at me. Remus barked out a laugh. Peter's face twisted into an expression of mild offense. James clapped me on the shoulder.

"Ah, Ellie, ever the goody two shoes,"

I smiled at James wryly. "Thanks cus. And Peter, it was a joke. I didn't mean it."

Peter's expression immediately changed and I smiled at him.

Before anything more could be said, I was tackled from behind. "Rose!"

"Speaking of goody two shoes," Sirius muttered.

I didn't have time to shoot him a glare before I was turning around to hug Lily.

"Hey Lils!"

After greetings were over, we all hopped on the train.

I decided to get a compartment with Sally, Magnus and Marina. Upon entering, Marina froze. Her eyes got a far away look. Her head spun around, taking in all the information.

"What is it?" Sally inquired.

"Yeah. What do you see, Mare?" Magnus chimed in.

Marina smiled mischievously. "The last people in here were seventh years. A Slytherin and a Gryffindor. They had hexed each other before they left."