The Marauders: Year One (female)

6. Who Are You Calling a Wanker?

The journey to Hogwarts had been a long one, and Remus had enjoyed it thoroughly. The long ride from London to the windy moors of Scotland had been filled with beautiful scenery. They had passed meadows full of golden flowers, and forests full of red and gold leaves bathed in the glowy golden light of the September afternoon.

The Hogwarts Express drove over bridges across shimmering reservoirs, past fields full of horses and cows and sheep, and finally, as night was drawing near, they drove past the barren and yet beautiful moor. The sweet scent of the heather drifted in through the opened windows, as well as the fresh smell of wet, clean earth and grass after a rain that Remus loved so much. She lifted her nose and inhaled.

As much as she was looking forward to being Sorted into her new house who would be like her family for the next seven years, if she managed those years, of course, she was sorry to see the train come to a halt at a station in 'Hogsmeade'. Remus had read about that. It was the only entirely magic settlement in all of Britain. She said as much to Petra, who stared at her in awe, and returned to gaping around like a beached whale.

A giant, hairy man who introduced himself as Hagrid proceeded to usher the first years to the Black Lake, where they would receive the customary boat ride across the lake. The other years were shooed off to carts that were seemingly driven by invisible horses. 'Firs' years!' bellowed Hagrid. 'Firs' years over here!'

Remus watched Severa and Lillian cautiously climb into a boat, both squealing as the boat rocked and splashed both of them. Sirius and Jamie were still messing about, splashing each other as well as Severa and Lillian. 'We're a boat to catch a wild ride!' Sirius joked lamely.

Jamie snorted and shoved her over to a boat, and climbed in. 'Come on, you great wanker,' she sniggered.

Sirius rolled her eyes, before climbing in. 'Who are you calling a wanker?'

Lillian rolled his eyes, and finally climbed in, steadying the boat for Severa. The other first years got in as well.

Remus hopped in with Petra, and trailed her hand in the cool water. Petra looked worried. 'You ought to be careful, you know. There's supposed to be a massive squid in there.'

'I know,' said Remus mildly. 'But it's only supposed to come near us if we fall in. Best not to rock the boat,' she added to Petra, who was trying to get as far away from the sides as she could, making the boat bob up and down wildly as she did so.

'Bet you five chocolate frogs that one's in Ravenclaw,' Sirius said lowly.

Jamie slapped her hand. 'You're on.'

The ride across the lake was mostly uneventful, except for when a girl called Franchesca Longbottom, or 'Frankie', as she preferred, fell in, and was tossed back up by the Great Squid. She seemed to think this was a great achievement, grinning at her boat mate, Alex Prewett. He smiled back and gave her a weak thumbs up.

Hagrid performed a Drying Charm on her with a large pink umbrella that Remus highly suspected wasn't supposed to be used for that purpose, but Hagrid seemed nice enough, so she said nothing. She thought about her parents briefly, with a pang. She missed them already.

They were led up to the castle, where they were greeted by a witch in around her mid thirties, with sharp green eyes, and an exceptionally tight black bun. She took them from Hagrid, who stomped off to the staff table to have a drink, and she led them to the Great Hall to be Sorted.

'Now,' she began, right before they entered. 'You will be Sorted into your houses, who will be like your family. Your gains are their gains, and your losses are their losses. Points will be awarded for good behaviour, and will be taken away for bad behaviour. To win the House Cup, you will need to win as many points as possible.'