[h3]ASTRID[/h3]
[indent][indent][indent]She groaned at the end of the feast, her stomach fit to burst from all that food. “I should not have had that third lot of crumble” Astrid said, rubbing small circles on her stomach, trying to soothe herself. She was well ready to climb up into her bed, and was grateful to see that her day started tomorrow with a free=period. That brought an immediate smile to her face as she thought of the line in; she would even sacrifice breakfast in order to sleep a little longer. She knew where the kitchens were and the elves were always on hand to offer extra food. It wasn’t the first time she had snuck down there for a bacon and egg sandwich, and she was sure it wouldn’t be her last. 

Her schedule was looking rather packed, especially as this was her NEWT year and she was going to be sitting the most important exams of her academic career. And as she intended to go on to become a Mediwitch, she had a lot of serious and heavy learning to do.

The houses were dismissed, and Astrid got to her feet, but before a step could be taken she felt a hand circle around the top of her arm and pull her to the side. With a small “Whoa” she was spun in a flutter of golden curls and brought round to face Sirius. She could not ignore the wild excitement she felt inside, from both his touch and their proximity. Her eyes looked to his hand before up to his face, and she couldn’t help but smirk at him. 

“What, did you lose your sense of humour over the summer?” She asked him, peeling his hand off of her arm and readjusting her robes, before wriggling her shoulders a little. “Not the first time I’ve teased you about being the resident heartbreaker is it?” She questioned him. Why had he now decided to take what she had said personally? After years of them playfully taking the mick out of each other, of their usual back and forth, never having any boundaries to what they could say to one another, why now? She watched Remus walk past with the French girl, and that was when she understood why he had gotten offended, because of the new girl. He hadn’t even had the chance to make his move and Astrid had already revealed to her that he was a bit of a playboy about school.

This pissed her off more than it should have, she would have to endure watching him with someone else again. Well, he had given her ample opportunity to get with him, but she just could not risk being heartbroken by him. They were as good as best friends really, though not an official Marauder she was always hanging around with them all. And how many times had she and Sirius almost kissed?  If only Sirius could settle a little, she’d snap him up and be the girl to stop him from straying. If only.

“Lighten up Black, no one likes a killjoy” She said to him before slipping past, but her shoulder brushing past his and her eyes locking with his for a second before meeting up with [url=http://data.whicdn.com/images/35098715/original.gif]Trevor[/url]. And for the first time, she didn’t like the way his hand felt on her hip.

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[h3]REMUS[/h3]
[indent][indent][indent]It was understandable for a new person to be overwhelmed by the castle. It was the oldest school in the world, the first of its kind the world over. It was filled with turrets and dungeons, and passages and levels. But there was also a secret network of concealed passages and walkways, some that led to other parts of the castle and some that lead out! How many times had he and his friends snuck out under James’ cloak and down to Hogsmeade? Just before summer they headed down having used Polyjuice potion and all gotten slaughtered in the three broomsticks. He smirked at the memory, remembering trying to clamber back to the tower without being seen. They had stumbled past Filch who could smell the alcohol but not see them, and it had been amusing to see him look about the place.

He was convinced that no one knew the school like they did, and with the map that was currently buried in his trunk, they were able to create all kinds of mischief and mayhem. Where would they be without that map? Expelled was probably the right answer.

“You learn your way” Remus answered as honestly as he can without revealing their secrets. “After a while you learn their patterns” He added, which was true. Living in a tower up on the highest floor meant you often beat the same old path. In less than a year Remus could tell you which stairwell went where and when they would move. Some weren’t as quick to pick up on it, but usually most got the swing by half way through year two. Once the steps stopped, he jumped off and extended his hand to help her, as no sooner had it stilled than it had taken off again. “Careful for that one, it never stays still” He added as he let go of her hand almost immediately, stuffing his scared hands into his robes and out of sight.

Next to her he looked extremely unkempt and pale, his skin taking a grey hue to it owing to the coming full moon. Once more he would take up residence in the shack and let lose all control; that was until his friends would turn up. James would become a Stag and Sirius a huge black dog, animals large enough to keep him in line. And Peter would become a rat, small enough to render the whomping willow stationary to allow them access in. Remus doubted anyone knew Hogwarts, Hogsmeade and the surrounding mountains and grounds quite like the four of them did, and it was just another fond memory that brought a smile to his face.

“Gryffindor tower is right up the top” He informed Veronica, before going on to explain the other three houses and where each of their dorms was located. He already overheard Lily telling her all the other stuff and about the rules and regulations, so there wasn’t much left for him to explain. And as she was already a little unsettled, he didn’t want to pry or offend. “What lesson layout you got?” He asked. Having already done his sixth year, depending on her chosen career path, he’d be able to advise her, or offer her help, if she wanted it.

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