Faded: The Time Her Heart Sprang To Life (Marauders Era)

Chapter Two

Dawn was breaking. She sat on the outer side of the windowsill, her legs swinging, as she took a sip of her hot-Nutella-chocolate mug. Her windblown hair, which she wore in a long bob for the day, and her pinked nose were tired of waiting. She sighed deeply, observing the sunlight, finally piercing through the merciless darkness. At last, she sighted the sun; it made the passing clouds blush a heavy shade of lilac.

Liv climbed back to her reading nook and stepped on the faux fur rug on her bedroom floor. She approached her trunk, checking on her organized things. Liv's favorite part of her trunk was the huge pile of books. She was sure that her trip to Diagon Alley with the boys will forever be a memorable time. They had all waited for her as she chose the many required, and non-required books from Flourish and Blotts. She would have stayed longer if she hadn't been kicked out because of the boys' idiotic actions. James was overwhelmed by how she could fit the books in her trunk. Lastly, she gently placed the grey marigold, which she had used a potion on it every five days so it stays as beautiful as Sirius first gave it to her, protected by unbreakable glass. On her beside table was a cage inside which slept a beautiful tawny owl. Johnny, he was named after Hope's favorite member of The Beatles

Two hours later, Liv heard the voice of Hope waking up the lazy boys.

It was nine o'clock when Liv had her white shift dress on her, and a lavender leather backpack on her shoulders. She made a final check on her trunk, hastily added a photo of her and her father, hoping he was by her side on an important day as such, grabbed her spruce wand, took a final look on her room, and closed its door. She threw her trunk with great force into the car's boot, causing Sirius to dramatically jump in surprise. The journey to King's Cross was a blend of nervousness, Liv's feeling of her stomach clenching, and a karaoke of Yesterday by The Beatles. Johnny's cage was on her lap, he was hooting happily while everyone shouted the lyrics together.

They were finally there. The station looked just as everyone described it. And today, Liv was going to go through the barrier. At the thought, something in her already uncomfortable stomach turned over. Amongst the hustle and bustle, the five kids, lead by James, and followed by Hope, made their way between the Muggles who were too busy to notice the five carts with a trunk on each and an owl on one of them.

Time couldn't have passed quicker than it did. Liv swallowed; Peter and Remus were now both on the train, Hope had left after hugging them all because she had work to do (she cried a lot). Now Liv was standing between the platforms nine and ten, frozen in her place. She then felt a warm hand touch her freezing fingers.

"I know you're nervous. It's all gonna be all right, I promise," said the calm voice of Sirius Black. She jerked her head to her right, and saw him staring at the barrier, smiling.

"I really hope you're right. Like really," Liv told him, then tried to change the matter, "Aren't your parents coming to see you off?" She waited for a response she already knew, regretting the bad question.

"Dunno. Not interested either ways, actually," he replied, "there comes James!" He was now indicating James, whose trunk had already been placed in the train along with Sirius's, Remus's, and Peter's. Sirius turned back to Liv and continued, "you're going to enjoy Hogwarts, Liv." After brushing Liv's hair out of her face, he disappeared through the wall.

"Hey!" James called, making Liv, who was still looking at the no-longer-there Sirius, turn her attention to him. "Son of a banshee, I told him to wait for me. Come, Liv, we'll be late."

But still, Liv was unsure, thinking: why didn't I stay there? Why did I come?

"Oh, well, I see," he sighed, realizing how uneasy Liv felt, "last time I did this," James continued, holding Liv's hand, "was when Sirius came back from the Easter holidays. It's a secret!" He added hastily. "Come on, better run. Can't believe someone like you can get nervous."