#5th year

“Lord Canis had me buy this for you.” I take it having a fairly good idea of what it is in mind. I untie the ribbon in one smooth motion, and place it in my pocket. My focus moves to the little velvety box. It pops open with a crisp snap. A grin spreads across my face the moment I see the contents. It's an ornate little silver charm in the shape of a unicorn. I kneel down and embrace Tarte feeling tears thick in the back of my throat

“Thank you,” I whisper, pulling away from the hug. I look down to admire the charm. Suddenly my eyes snap up in recognition “You remembered my wand core,” my heart melts realizing the connection. Tarte nods his head blushing nearly the same shade as his suit. “I could never forget Madame Bella. I was present the day you received it.”

“If Papa forgets to pay you send an owl and i’ll send one to Gringotts. Papa transferred the family vault and my funds too.” I remind him sternly knowing he would never ask otherwise. He nods, “I best be off Madame, I wish you luck” With a jaunty little bow and a jarring sound he's gone.

“Madame It's just you and the cat now” Amie, my personal house elf says tugging on my sleeve. I look down startled “Oh my how did I let it get so late? Have Pluie grab Bonbon while I fasten this and we’ll be off” She scurries off to get Pluie while I fasten my charm to my bracelet. I have three others already. My first initial, a clementine, and the Eiffel tower.

Pluie comes down the stairs with Bonbon, my Persian cat. She's practically spilling out of the small elf’s arms. The feline leaps down and bounds over to me. I pick her up and bury my face in her fur. I'm sure she's covering my black robes in hair but I'm too content to mind. I would definitely miss the Beauxbatons uniforms, along with other things, but this was going to be just fine. Hogwarts was going to be just fine, I remind myself.

Amie smiles up at me offering her hand. I take it clutching Bonbon close to my chest. No matter how many times I rode along with the elves I could never quite prepare myself for the pulling and twisting sensation of apparating. After a few moments of the most genuinely disorienting experience,we’re standing on platform 9 ¾. There are only a few stragglers left saying their final goodbyes. “Be careful Ellas we need you back in one piece” Amie warns me as she hugs my leg. That was goodbye.

I make it onto the train just in time, I'm last to board. Once Amie is out of site I begin peeking into train cars but they're all full four to a bench. Well there's one with space but the students inside glare at me when they see my face in the window. Green ties, Slytherin. I'm about to give up hope when I find one that has a seat to the far left.

I move Bonbon to one arm and open the door. The occupants looked startled. “Pardon me, I'm sorry to bother you when you're already full but the only other car with an empty seat is filled with very unhappy Slytherins.” My accent is even thicker than usual because of my nerves. “Of course! Come on in we have an extra seat.” A redheaded girl waves me in.

I smile, finally relaxing a bit. The boy at the window seat slides over and closes his book. “You’re welcome to the seat but be warned the other two are whinging terribly because our dear friend is finally showing some independence,” he feigns disdain at the two dark-haired boys to his right. “It's not independence Moony, it's betrayal!” Exclaims a beautiful black-haired boy as he lays back dramatically on the more serious boy.

I giggle and sit down while the two boys bicker. “I'm Lily Evans” the redhead introduces herself.”I'm Arabella Canis I have more nicknames than I can keep up with so I respond to anything.” Lily laughs. “I'll introduce you to the guys,” she starts. “The boy currently fighting for his life is Remus Lupin and the drama queen torturing him is Sirius Black. The one that looks like someone kicked his Puppy is James Potter. The poor soul they're all fussing over is Peter Pettigrew. He's a sweetheart, he's just sitting with his girlfriend.”

“This is not a “just” situation Evans, my mate is slipping away!” the boy exclaims running his hands through his already wild curls. The model-like girl next to Lily rolls her eyes twirling her braids between her Fingers. “I'm Dorcus Meadows, the girl in the window seat beaming at you like a Maniac is Mary McDonald. We swear she's sweet, we just need to work on her socialization.” she jokes with a wicked twinkle in her eye. “Oh shush Dorie!” the girl says in a strong Yorkshire accent. “Did you come from Beauxbatons Arabella? I don’t recognize you, and your accent is lovely!”

“Thank you! I am, my father had to transfer for work so I did too.” “Ooh pretty and French Sirius doesn't stand a chance once he's done sulking. I'm Marlene Mckinnon, pleased to meet you” the sandy-haired girl greets me. Remus’s face twists into a vicious scowl but only for a moment, I almost think I imagine it. “Same to you but I'm sure I’ll scare him off quite easily.” I'm usually so much more reserved around strangers but their mirth is contagious.

“I am both offended and intrigued by this conversation ladies but I'm sad to announce I am celibate. no snogging, not even hand-holding. The female population of Hogwarts must carry on without me.” Sirius gave the speech like it was a eulogy. It was followed by multiple snorts and “Sirius are you joking?” “Nope it's real and I'm doing it,” Sirius states firmly.

Dorcus pulls a small box with an open slit on the top and a drawer on the front. “Alright, who's betting on when he caves? 1 galleon minimum. Everyone, even James who was sulking, began searching their pockets and scribbling on paper. “You write your bet on the paper and fold it and Sign your name on the front. Slide it in with your coin and when the bets over the drawer opens with the prize and the winning bet. It's some complicated charmwork Lily and Dorcus cooked up to stop cheating.” Mary explains kindly.

I pull out two galleons and a small piece of parchment, Mary loans me her quill to use and I give the boy two weeks since it seems everyone else has such little faith in him. It takes a bit of maneuvering to get everything together without disturbing Bonbon who was napping in the crook of my elbow. Remus is looking at me with an expression I can’t decipher, which is unusual I’m usually quite good at reading people.

The clink of the coins hitting the bottom of the box is satisfying. “ 10 galleons James you're nuttier than a pecan fudge,” Lily exclaims as she deposits her galleon along with a couple of sickles. “Evans I'm mad for you but otherwise very sane,” James says smirking. Lily blushes a shade that rivals her hair and gestures angrily in James’s direction while everyone else giggles.

Remus checks his watch “Lily we better go meet the other Prefects it's about time,” he remarks. “Oh! yes, just one moment.” Lily pulls her robes over her uniform revealing the shiny pin attached to the chest. Remus removes his badge from his pocket and pins it on his shirt. “See you all at the feast!” Lily calls out, exiting the compartment with Remus a bit behind her.

It's only a moment but Remus looks in my eyes and I feel a shiver go down my spine. Not the bad kind, the one you got when you're so excited you can't stay still. He waves goodbye to everyone but his eyes linger on Sirius in a familiar but peculiar way I can't quite place. When he closes the door I realize what must’ve been only a moment had felt like an hour. Everyone else seemed relatively open but despite running with the rest of the group Remus seemed like a lone wolf.

I've always had frustrations with people who are hard to read.. I have a selfish and unrealistic desire to know people’s souls inside and out. I guess it's because I'll tell anyone anything if they ask, but it would be rude if Iasked some of the questions I had. Like Where did you get your scars? Did someone hurt you? Why are you so good at masking your emotions? Do you dislike me or are you like this all the time?

I’m brought out from my internal monologue by someone’s voice. “Arabella, Bella, Chaton écoutez-moi” Sirius repeats. My head snaps up blushing. It wasn’t the romantic version but still a pet name. “Je m’excuse” I apologize. “It’s time to get off” Sirius informs me, gesturing toward the station. “Oh! thankyou,” I say embarrassed that he had to tell me.

“The girls and James are waiting in the carriage” Sirius states as I stand up with Bonbon in hand. I follow him to the exit, and he steps off the train before me. He offers his hand to steady me when I step down. I can't help the fuzzy feeling it gives me despite the fact that I'm sure it's an automatic reaction. Most likely from years of etiquette that pure-blood children go through.

“Oh!” I run ahead towards the carriage the others are in. The black-winged beasts drawing it receive my affection gladly nuzzling my shoulders. I look up, James, Marlene,and Mary look shocked but Sirius and Dorcus just look a bit sad. “Is something wrong,” I ask turning back to Sirius who seems very interested in his combat boots. “No it's just,” he pauses. “You can only see thestrals if you've seen someone die,” Dorcas finishes.

“Oh, I thought that was a myth,” I whisper. I give each of the thestrals a peck on the nose and hurry into the carriage. When I step up Sirius steadies me with a hand on the small of my back. It gives me butterflies.

Merlin! Why did he have to be so pretty? All of them were gorgeous and hilarious. I spend the rest of the ride in fits of laughter.

I'm happy to observe that just about everyone is physically affectionate. It was something I could get used to. It would be nice to hug people who are taller than the house elves. James already has his arm around my shoulder. He's warm, charming, and witty. just what I imagined a brother would be like.