Chasing The Stars | Marauders | Sirius Black

1.2 ~ Dumbledore.

Ok so here's the dealio: I was doing some editing of chapter 1 and then I thought back to when a few of my friends said they got bored so I decided to split the chapter into 3. However, upon doing so, I realised that I'd have to renumber every chapter after it and I have like 75 chapters at this point so here I am, being a lazy arse, and doing part 2 &3. yw.

Eloise had immediately taken a liking to the funny 11 year old boys that had stumbled to her compartment. They spoke about many things on the long trip to the highlands of Scotland where Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was situated. Eloise spoke with James about occasional visits from their shared grandparents, 

"Oh yeah the good old Quinns, came over once I think when I was 6 to give me a birthday card and haven't heard from them since." He laughed and Eloise raised an eyebrow, 

"At least they came to see you in person, I got a 7th birthday card with 'Happy Birthday' inscribed without so much as my own name, they probably don't know what it is." she joked earning a laugh from the boys opposite her. She spoke to Sirius about the pains of being in a pure-blood obsessed family which quickly brought on the topic of Hogwarts houses, "My brother and father are convinced I will be a Slytherin, I mean why wouldn't I be? I am a Malfoy after all." Eloise sighed and she looked to James to see a look of displeasure on his face 

"Ugh Slytherin." he made a noise of disgust, "No offence, Eloise." he turned to Sirius, "but I think I'd leave wouldn't you?" Sirius didn't return James' lopsided grin, only looked to his hands, 

"My whole family's been in Slytherin." Eloise already knew this and thought James would've done too. 

"Blimey!" he exclaimed throwing his hands into the air before letting them slap back down onto his thighs, "and I thought you seemed alright!"

The three First Years noticed that they shared the same humour as they all chuckled heartily at James' little show. They spoke once more about their impending nerves as the the Hogsmeade stop loomed ever closer until finally, when the three had been discussing Quidditch (Eloise was a keen follower of the sport and her father had brought her a broom along with Lucius) they trained pulled to a stop. A prefect had come by half an hour earlier to ensure that they were in their robes and Eloise, James and Sirius grabbed their trunks and made their way out to the platform.

"Firs' Years! Firs' Years come over t'me." A very, very large man was stood in a bearskin coat holding up a lantern, Eloise thought he must be at least twice the size of her father but only appeared to be in his late twenties. The three eleven year olds gawped up at the sight of this abnormally big man but followed him nevertheless to many boats. They got into a boat with only one other boy in. The boy had light brown hair and scratches on his cheeks and nose. He smiled at them and James shook his hand, 

"I'm James, James Potter." he smiled and pointed to the other two, "That's Sirius Black and Eloise Malfoy." they both smiled at him and lifted their hands in a wave, "Remus Lupin." he replied and returned their smiles.

They spoke to Remus on the way towards the castle, sailing in the small boats across a large lake. Eloise learnt that Remus was quiet and a bookworm rather like herself but she had noticed a gleam in his eye when he joked with the boys that Eloise couldn't quite explain. They were once again on the topic of houses when Eloise tapped Sirius on the shoulder her mouth open in awe. The three boys followed her gaze and caught their first sight of the fantastic castle ahead of them. Eloise felt a sudden warmth spread through her chest, she had never really felt at home in Malfoy Manor, but something about this magnificent castle; with the hundreds of windows glowing with orange light, and it managing to look alight even in the night felt more familiar and comfortable to her than that grand mansion that she grew up in ever did. Eloise counted at least 30 turrets and they pulled up to the docks. The First Years walked through the magnificent doors and up a stone staircase where they were met by a tall woman in emerald green robes. Her brown hair was pulled into a neat plait and her eyes were kind but she held a look of authority. There was no doubting that she was a very pretty woman but Eloise knew that she was not a teacher to cross.

"First Years, your attention please" she called, a scottish accent weaving its way through the words, "My name is Professor McGonagall and soon you will make your way through the doors and you will be sorted into your house. Your house will be your family for the seven years that you attend this school and you will reside in your common rooms and dormitories in you spare time." she sent a look over the squirming students heads as they all listened with rapt attention, "The houses are: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and" she paused, "Slytherin" Eloise caught Sirius' eye and he winked at her, easing her nerves. Professor McGonagall nodded to show she was finished and turned swiftly opening the door with her wand. The First Years all walked in a line behind the Professor and watched her enchant a scroll to float above her face. Most of the students were too busy watching McGonagall that they didn't even notice the wooden stool with an old, frayed wizard's hat perched on top, that is until a rip near the brim opened and the hat began to sing.

"New students have arrived once more and it's time for me to sing,

A story that you all know well,

At the four founders do I begin,

They all had distinct qualities which reside in all of you,

The one that stands out most to me will help you on your way,

And tell me where to place you all and they tell me what to do:

In Gryffindor lay the brave folk,

The ones that have no fear,

In Ravenclaw, those with brains and wit,

You smart ones will be here,

In Hufflepuff will be the loyal ones,

Those who are kind and fair,

In Slytherin, the purest wizards,

They are cunning, so all. Beware!

So allow me to sit on thy head,

And peer inside your minds,

Will you be with these new friends you made?

Or will you leave them all behind?"

Applause erupted from five tables, two on the left side of the hall: the one closest to the left-most wall held students all clad in ties of green and on their sides students in blue. The other two tables were on the right side, the one closest to the First Years had yellow ties and the table closest to the right-most wall had red. The fifth and final table was behind the stool with the hat and directly in front of Eloise and her friends. There were professors sat smiling and applauding with the students and directly in the middle of the table, in a throne-like chair sat a wizard. A wizard with shining grey hair to his elbows and a matching, and even longer beard. He had half-moon glasses in front of his electric blue eyes, twinkling from the light of the floating candles. He was clapping loudest of all and he had a warm smile on his face, his blue eyes crinkled; crows feet blending in with the many other lines on his face, 

"Dumbledore." Eloise whispered but of course no one heard her.