The Other Malfoy {Marauders Era}

Christmas? Sure, Alright

     By the time the train pulled into the station, Sirius, Aquila, and James had planned enough pranks to last until Valentine's day.

     "We're here, blockheads. Come on, grab your stuff, Sirius, stop trying to add another prank, James, act your age and stop making heart-eyes at Lily!" Aquila ordered, shoving her way out of the compartment, Sirius pouting but following her, quickly scooping her suitcase out of her hand and rushing off before she could reprimand him. Aquila quickly did a once over of the compartment before smirking at the small hairbrush left there. Aquila rolled her eyes but smiled, while James stood there pouting.

     "I wasn't making heart-eyes at Evans, Aquila. Godric, do you even know what those look like? Oh wait, of course you do, you make them whenever you look at Sirius." James added as an afterthought, making Aquila glare playfully before running after Sirius, leaving James to go to Lily before she left for break. Sirius had already found the Potters and was waiting patiently for James and Aquila so that they could go to the only home- besides Hogwarts- that Sirius felt he truly belonged. Upon seeing Aquila, he smiled brightly and waved.

     "Look who showed up! I was afraid we were going to have to wake you up again!" He joked, making Aquila roll her eyes but she stood next to him, laying her head on his shoulder.

     "Well if you had been paying attention you would've noticed that you left your hair brush in the compartment," Aquila stated smugly as Sirius looked at her in horror.

     "I didn't- bloody Hell! Is James still on there? James? James!" Sirius called as he frantically looked around. James looked around in surprise before smiling at Sirius and holding up Sirius' most prized possession- next to Aquila of course- his hairbrush. Sirius let out a sigh of relief and rushed to James, quickly picking up the brush and putting it safely away in Aquila's suitcase. "I can't believe I almost left you on the train! Merlin, Aquila, can you imagine the horror of not being able to brush my hair and give the people what they wanted: my beautiful locks? Godric's beard, how did anyone survive without me before?"

     "They didn't," Aquila sarcastically snipped before taking his hand and following James to the muggle world, where Mr. and Mrs. Potter would be waiting. They preferred to do things the muggle way, as it was a nice way to escape the ever-growing threat of Voldemort and his Death Eaters, and it means they had more time to catch up with James and his friends where they couldn't escape before they got to the house. That was also a bonus. As the Potters were waiting at Platform Nine, Lily Evans caught a glimpse of Aquila's near-white hair and smiled brightly before following her through the barrier.

     "Aquila!" The red-head called, and Aquila turned toward the familiar voice, a smile enveloping her face as she caught Lily's gaze.

      "Lils!" She called back as she quickly rushed towards the girl. "Sorry I didn't catch you on the train; I fell back asleep."

     "Why am I not surprised," Lily laughed, "and it's not a problem, I caught you now. As soon as you get home owl me." Aquila nodded and smirked.

     "Yes, ma'am," she said as she hurriedly made her way to the Potters before Lily could say anything. Lily just shook her head and reluctantly made her way to where her own parents were waiting, along with her sister, Petunia.

     "Aquila, darling! How was the train?" Mrs. Potter said as the young witch came into view. Aquila smiled and hugged the couple before answering.

     "Quick. I fell asleep on Sirius. For future reference, he makes a very comfortable pillow." She added as an afterthought, not catching the glance between Mr. and Mrs. Potter. Many people thought Fleamont and Euphemia Potter were crazy for taking in two disowned children. Euphemia, on the other hand, saw children in need of homes, and she was happy to deliver, though she had to say it was a handful, with both Sirius and James, and then Aquila. But she loved them all, and the same goes for Fleamont.

     "Noted. Now, where is James? Did he get lost again?" Fleamont asked with a small smirk. Aquila laughed as she remembered the story- during Christmas break his first year, James got lost at the station and managed to almost board the train back to Hogwarts before Aquila found him and dragged him to his parents by the ear. Good time, Aquila thought.

      "No, Father, I didn't. Though I did find someone who was, and helped them." James said as he appeared. Euphemia raised an eyebrow in question, while James stood there cockily. "I'm sure you all know that first year, what was his name, Longbottom? Well, he got lost, the poor bloke, so I helped him out. And no, before you ask, Aquila, I didn't get him lost even more. Have a little faith." Aquila closed her open mouth and shrugged, while Sirius patted her arm sympathetically.

      "Right, well good job, James. Maybe you'll turn out to be useful yet!" Sirius remarked as he followed Fleamont to their ride back home. Aquila was always fascinated with the way muggles do things, though being a pure-blood, and a Malfoy, she could never voice those thoughts aloud. But now, with the Potters, she was free to act and think like however she wanted, without any fear of repercussions, except those times when she broke one of the few rules the Potters had.

     "Sirius! Bloody Hell, mate, slow down!" James called as he rushed after his friend, leaving Aquila behind, rolling her eyes, as she started walking towards the fighting boys.

     "Aquila, I am so glad you don't act like those boys. I don't know how I would survive with three people fighting every day." Euphemia said as they returned home. Aquila smiled and nodded.

     "Merlin, you haven't seen the Marauders if you think that's bad. Poor Remus, don't know how he deals with them all 24/7," she stated casually, and then added as an afterthought, "I'm not even sure how I deal with them all the time." Euphemia just smiled and looked at Sirius as he talked to James, though he sent glances towards Aquila's way every once in a while.

     "Yes," Euphemia mused, "I wonder how."