Chapter Text
September 1st, 1978
"You better not get into too much trouble without me."
I stifled a laugh looking at my older sister, "I would never, I'm Head Girl, remember?"
Marlene rolled her eyes at me, grabbing me by the shoulders.
"I'm serious, keep to yourself this year, I don't want any of those snakes messing with my little sister."
Now it was my turn to roll my eyes.
"Don't worry about me," I replied, "I can fend for myself, I learned from the best."
Marlene grinned, "You sure as hell did."
The platform was getting crowded as more families showed up to send their kids off to Hogwarts. Some of the younger students were trying to get away from their parents, who were trying to cling onto their children.
"You know mum and dad would be here if they weren't working."
I nodded, "I know, I'll write to them later tonight."
"Alright, well we better get you on that train," Marlene teased, "I can't believe my baby sister is going into her final year at Hogwarts!"
"I'm only a year younger than you, dumbass," I responded, trying not to smile. "You better get going, Dorcas is probably waiting for you."
My sister blushed slightly.
"You better write to me if anyone gives you trouble, I'll pummel them with bludgers."
I smirked, "I'm sure you will."
Marlene wrapped her arms tightly around me, pulling me into a bone crushing hug. I hugged her back despite barely being able to move my arms.
The train whistle sounded, signalling the upcoming departure.
I pulled away from the hug and gave Marlene a kiss on the cheek.
"I'll see you at Christmas," I said.
Marlene blew me a kiss as I started to walk backwards, "See you at Christmas, Meredith!"
I grabbed my trunk and boarded the train, searching for my friends, who happened to be in our usual compartment.
Maggie and Emmeline both smiled when they saw me.
"Mer, we thought you were gonna miss the train," Emmeline teased.
I grinned, "Marlene kept me."
"Come in, sit down," Maggie said, gesturing to the empty seat next to her.
I frowned, "I wish I could, but I can't."
"Why not?" They both asked.
"I have to go to the Prefects carriage, give instructions, you know, Head Girl stuff," I joked.
Emmeline clapped, "You're Head Girl?"
I nodded.
"Wait-, so happy for you," Maggie started, "But who's Head Boy?"
I shook my head, "No idea, I hope it's someone nice."
The train whistled once more and started lurching forward.
"I have to go now, but I'll see you both at dinner," I groaned.
Both girls said goodbye to me and I left, venturing to the back of the train.
The Prefects carriage was open, with benches and tables everywhere, instead of separate compartments.
It seemed as if all of the Prefects were already there, talking amongst each other in their respective groups.
"Meredith!"
I turned my head to see Pandora Volant, a Ravenclaw Prefect from my year, waving me over with a smile. Pandora is one of the sweetest people I've ever met, and she's gorgeous. Bright blue eyes and pale blonde hair. She was sitting next to Thomas Mackey, one of my friends and my favorite patrol partner.
"Hey Pandora," I smiled, "How was your summer?"
She smiled back, "Oh it was great, Xenophilius and I got engaged!"
"Congratulations! When's the wedding?" I asked, sitting down next to her.
"This summer," She explained, "And you will be invited, of course."
Bertram Aubrey cleared his throat. "Sorry to interrupt, but where's Black?"
"Black?" I questioned.
"Regulus," Bertram replied, "I heard that he's Head Boy. I overheard him and Rosier talking about it in Diagon Alley."
Fucking hell.
"Oh-," I replied, "I guess that makes sense."
I looked around the carriage to see that he was right. Everyone was here except for Regulus Black.
"I would go look for him, but he kind of scares me," Bertram admitted.
I got up from my seat, smoothing out my pants. "I guess I can go find him so we can go over the patrolling information, he's probably with Rosier, Crouch, and Nott."
A few people looked up from their conversations as I shut the carriage door behind me, heading towards the 'Slytherin' carriage.
There's no designated carriages, except for the Prefects one, but everyone ends up segregated anyways. Especially within the last year with everything that's been going on.
I walked through the carriage, looking into the compartments through the glass doors, looking for Regulus, or at least one of his sidekicks.
In the last compartment, I found Evan Rosier, Tiberus Nott, and Barty Crouch Jr. talking in hushed voices.
I slid open the door, stepping into the compartment slightly, making both boys look up.
"Where's Black? He's late."
Barty looked me up and down in a way that made me want to adjust every single piece of clothing that I was wearing.
"Nice pants, McKinnon, why don't you turn around and give us a look?" Barty said, staring at me.
Tiberus Nott raised an eyebrow at Barty before returning his attention to his journal.
I tugged my cropped shirt down, "Oh I wish I could, but I don't want to. Where's Black?"
Evan Rosier stifled a laugh.
"Okay, if none of you are going to help, I'll go find him myself."
Evan stood up, rolling his eyes. "Come on, I'll show you," He said, pushing past me to get out of the compartment.
I followed him hesitantly, trying to ignore Barty Crouch's eyes on my backside.
"Are you taking me somewhere to kill me?" I asked, following Evan towards the opposite side of the carriage.
Evan scoffed, "If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't do it somewhere this public."
"Wow, thanks for the reassurance," I replied dryly.
He stopped abruptly in front of a wooden door that I recognized as the restroom.
"I'm not going in there," I stated, crossing my arms in front of me.
Evan grabbed the handle, "Fine, I'll go with you, he's probably just fixing his stupid hair."
He grabbed my arm and dragged me with him as he opened the door.
"Rosier, get the fuck out!"
I looked past where Evan was standing in the doorway to see Regulus Black, except he wasn't alone.
Pressed between him and the wall was Emma Vanity, one of the Slytherin's in our year. Her face was flushed, her skirt riding up to her butt.
I quickly turned around, waiting in the small hallway as Evan and Regulus yelled at each other.
"Sorry, mate," Evan said, "McKinnon came looking for you, said you're late or something."
Regulus groaned and I could practically hear him rolling his eyes as he stepped away from the girl and exited the small restroom.
"Uh-, see you later?" She asked.
He didn't answer, just pushed right past me, heading towards the Prefect's carriage. His face was slightly flushed, and his hair a bit messied.
I started following him before Evan yelled after me.
"You're welcome, McKinnon!"
I didn't respond, just wanting to forget the sight of Regulus Black and some girl pressed against each other, practically snogging the life out of each other, out of my head.
When we got to the carriage, Regulus went and sat in the back corner, giving me a dirty look as he kicked his feet up on the table.
"Should we get started now?" He asked cockily.
I cleared my throat, "Okay, this year Professor Dumbledore wants us to patrol in pairs, which he and McGonagall already picked out."
There were a few groans of annoyance.
"We'll find those out tonight and get them to you guys as soon as possible so we can get a patrol schedule started," Regulus added, not letting me finish.
I glanced over at him to see that he was still staring at me, one eyebrow raised.
This is going to be a long year.