One
I threw some final things I couldn’t pack until this morning into my trunk and slammed it close.
“Alex, are you ready?” Lupin yelled to me from downstairs.
“Gimme a minute!” I yelled back, grabbing my wand and picking up my ridiculously heavy trunk. I proceeded to stumble down the stairs - miraculously not breaking an ankle - because I couldn’t see the steps.
“Let me grab that,” said Lupin trying to keep from laughing at the funny picture.
I snatched my trunk away,
“I’m a strong, independent woman, I ain’t need no help,” I teased. Lupin gave me an exasperated look,
“Sheesh, kidding about the no help part Remus,” I mumbled, dropping my trunk to the floor so he could carry it with his wand.
“I can’t believe this is my first year at Hogwarts,” I said in disbelief. I was 14 years old and had been homeschooled by private tutors until Lupin had been hired by Dumbledore this year and had finally said that I could go to Hogwarts.
Lupin took care of me since my parents had died in an attack from He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named. Lupin was a father-figure to me and we took care of each other. By that I mean I cooked for my father because he couldn’t cook if his life depended on it. And, he knew because I constantly teased him about it.
“We have to go Alexandra, now,” he said exasperated.
“Gimme a hot minute,” I said and dashed back up the stairs in our small cottage. I quickly examined myself in the full-body mirror I had in my room. I tried to pat down my chin-length, dirty blond hair. I had one blue eye and a green eye, but you couldn’t tell the difference unless you looked closely. She was average height for her age and so thin that you could barely see the outline of her ribs. She wasn’t starved or anything, she was built like a twig. However, she wouldn’t hesitate to get into fights with anyone.
She had been a very aggressive girl, and that had not changed over the years. She also had an ability that came naturally to her while others would have to train very hard to be able to use it; legilmancy. She could look into people’s minds and read their minds. Alex also had another ability that was unheard of. When she looked at a person she could see key moments in their lives through their memories. It could be highly annoying sometimes, but overall it was an amazing gift. My white ribbed tank top and black hoodie were my favorite things to wear. I had on my favorite ripped jeans and combat boots to wear while we were in King’s Cross Station.
“Alexandra Minet Lupin! If you don’t get down here I’m leaving without you!” yelled Remus from downstairs.
“Yeesh, I’m coming,” I muttered and clomped down the stairs.
Lupin had already done some trick with our luggage making it disappear. He would call it back when we got to Platform 9¾.
“We’re going to be late,” he said, slightly annoyed. He held out his arm and I held it, then we apparated. For some reason apparating never had any affect on me which was highly uncommen. But, lot’s of things were.
We landed inside Platform 9 ¾ without trouble. Remus and I started walking toward the train,
“Lupin, what house do you think I’ll be picked for?” I asked, slightly anxious.
“It doesn’t matter, you’ll be in the one that the Sorting Hat chooses for you,” he said, reassuring me.
“I have to go handle our luggage, find a compartment for us,” he said, giving me a smile. I nodded, I had severe anxiety sometimes about going in or places by myself. Remus was the only one who knew that though.
I wondered if I was the only transfer student and suddenly became quite anxious. Was I going to have to go in front of a crowd for the Sorting Hat?! I climbed onto the train and slowly walked down the aisle searching for an empty compartment. I shouldered my small leather bag with a couple of books and my new school robes in it to change when we got closer to Hogwarts.
I finally found an open, empty compartment and slid open the door. I sat on one of the benches as close as I could to the wall. Lupin found me soon after and sat with me.
“I’m going to take a nap,” he told me. He pulled his black overcoat over him and huddled in the corner. I took a book from my bag and resumed it. It was a muggle book, but I enjoyed it. Pride and Prejudice was an amazing love story. Remus had been quite surprised when he caught me reading it considering I thought that ‘true love’ was incredibly stupid just like dating stupid boys. I had better things to do and by the time I was out of Hogwarts if they were still interested then I’d think about it. The sliding door opened up and three people were standing outside.
“Do you mind if we join you? All the other compartments are taken,” asked a boy with brownish hair.
I shrugged, “I don’t own the compartment,” they stood there for a moment,
“That means yes,” I clarified. They shuffled in and the boy who had spoken sat next to Remus. The other two people sat next to me.
“I’m Hermione Granger,” said the girl and shook my hand.
“Ron Weasly,” said the red-head sitting next to me.
The boy across from me introduced himself,
“Harry, Harry Potter,” he said and we shook hands.
“I respect a person who doesn’t rely on his surname,” I said honestly.
“I’m Alexandra Lupin,” I smirked, “Call me Alex,”
“What book is that?” asked Hermionie, gesturing to the book in my hands.
“Pride and prejudice by Jane AUsten,” I said, handing it to her.
“It’s amazing, she was a muggle author in the early 1800’s,” I explained.
Hermionie looked fascinated by it,
“You could borrow it if you want, I’ve read it seven times. I’m a bit of a bookworm,” I admitted. I glanced up at Ron and then Harry. Suddenly I was in one of his key memories.
A wailing baby in a crib. “Give him to me!” screamed a man. “No!” cried a woman. “Avada Kedavra!” he yelled and the woman died. The baby continued to wail and the man disapperated.
I looked at Harry in sympathy. Usually I’d see two or three memories, but this one was the biggest key moment in his life probably so that was the only one I saw for now.
I hadn’t noticed but the train had been moving for some time. I let Hermionie keep the book for now and ended up tuning out the group’s conversation to look out the window at the passing blurs.
“Alex?” asked Harry.
“Hm? Sorry, what did you say?” I asked.
“Is this your first year?” he asked.
“Yes and no. This is my first year at Hogwarts, but I’m being transferred from homeschooling. So I’m going to be a third year,” I explained.
“I don’t think there’s ever been a transfer,” said Hermionie.
“Anything from the trolley dears?” asked a woman with sweets.
Harry got a couple of things but the rest of us didn’t. Harry offered us each some and I refused. I didn’t voice how I’d feel guilty considering we’d just met. I stared out the window a little more when the temperature suddenly dropped and the train stopped. We all looked at each other equally confused.
“Does this usually happen?” I asked, suddenly anxious. They all shook their heads. I bit my lip and took my 9’’ Vine Wood, Thestral Tail Hair wand in my lap. It had a carving of a wolf in the wood - my patronus and animagus. Suddenly something I saw in my nightmares appeared, a dementor. Why were the Dementors here?!
The one appeared at our compartment and peered inside. Then another appeared, the first one started sucking Harry’s soul out, then the second one hovered over to me and I froze. Then, it started to suck my soul out too. The world became cold and blurry around the edges. I started to lean forward as it was sucking my soul when I heard someone shout,
“EXPECTO PATRONUM!” The dementors ran off and I fainted and fell to the ground.