"Now, Genevieve dear, be still for just one more second," her mother coaxed, pulling Genevieve's long frizzy black hair with a thick brush. The girl sitting at her mother's vanity had a sharp look of contempt as her mother pulled and pulled on her hair with that devil brush.
"You have my hair, you know," her mother stated with a meek smile. Her mother always seemed meek now a days. "As thick as horse hair, but don't worry, it gets easier to manage the older you get."
"I wish I was older already," Genevieve sighed, wincing as her mother began to twist the long black mop into a ponytail, "Ouch! Momma!"
"I know, I know." Her mother looked at her daughter's reflection apologetically before finally putting the finishing touch, a thick navy blue bow at the base of her hair. "Nervous?" her mother questioned excitedly, a kind smile stretching across her lips.
"Maybe a little," Genevieve offered a small smile in return, "I guess I'm more nervous about which house I'll be sorted into... Canopus is in Gryffindor and Berlioz is in Slytherin."
House pride was very important to Genevieve's father, Ervan Shield Flick, who had been a Ravenclaw back in his day when he had attended Hogwarts. Sophia, Genevieve's mother, had been sorted into Ravenclaw as well. The man was furious, more so at Canopus than at Berlioz, for being sorted into a house full of, "Second rate wizards, show offs. Ridiculous how courage and bravery are mounted as things to be proud of instead of intelligence, wit, and creativity. Shame on you Canopus." Yes, that had been a particularly awful day. Genevieve always felt terrible for all the harsh words that Canopus suffered from their father. Canopus was a Flick, however, and Flicks were strong, durable people, so her father claimed. She was still worried for her brother. Her father's discipline could be quite the toll, and she saw first-hand when Canopus snapped back at Ervan, or did something to purposefully displease him what her father was capable of.
"You look darling," her mother whispered, the biggest smile spreading across her lips. Genevieve hated it when people played with her hair, but she would only let her mother have permission to it, since it appeared she was so fond of it. Genevieve's mother was really the only person she felt exceptionally close to in their family. She did have Canopus and Berlioz to watch out after her, but they were her big brothers. She doubted they enjoyed spending time with her; they had different interests after all.
Berlioz was infatuated with potions and was always absorbed in his books. Genevieve would often find the middle child of the family locked away in his bedroom, absorbed in one of his text books.
Canopus loved Quidditch and strove to join his house's Quidditch team last year. However, he seemed downtrodden ever since that Harry Potter bloke managed to acquire the Seeker position... and only in his first year! Oh yes, Canopus was devastated. But this was a brand new school year and Canopus was eager to go to the try-outs for this term. Aside from being engulfed in sports, he seemed to have a peculiar knack for Defense Against the Dark Arts. He did always have an "Outstanding" on all his marks for that class.
Genevieve's pleasures, however, remained simple. The girl had an aptitude for Herbology, much to her mother's delight. Her mother's side of the family, the Gills, always had a fascination with Herbology. The family's estate, which belonged to Genevieve's uncle Artemis, was covered from head to toe in luxurious and exotic plants of all types, some imports and others grown in the wonderful damp weather that England was known for. It was her favorite place to go, because she never truly felt alone when she was at her uncle's house. The plants kept her company. She figured they had more of a heart than most humans.
"I was nervous on my first day," Sophia confessed, putting her hands on her knees as she took a seat in front of the vanity next to Genevieve. "But then again, I didn't know I would be making life-long friends either. I was on the train to Hogwarts, I just got done saying goodbye to my parents and was just as sad as could be. But just as I thought the train ride would be bleak I met a very special person."
Intrigued by her mother's story Genevieve inquired, "Who was this person?"
Her mother paused for a moment, for effect, naturally. "Her name was Marietta, my pixie." Her mother chuckled softly, "I called her my pixie because she was incredibly short when I first met her and she didn't seem to get much taller, especially after third year, she just stayed the same height. With big brown eyes, willowy lashes and a fitting pixie-cut."
"She sounds fun, how come I haven't met her?"
"Well, sweetheart, friends come and go," Sophia explained, seeming a little awkward at trying to explain all of this. "But she was my absolute best friend throughout my years at Hogwarts."
"Did you two get into a fight?"
"Listen to you, Ms. Journalist of the Daily Profit," her mother smirked and nudged her daughter playfully away from the vanity. "Now go get your shoes." Her mother clapped her on the bottom, making Genevieve almost leap out of her jumper in surprise. "We'll be late for our lunch with the Malfoys."
The youngest Flick child hated traveling by fireplace. As she and her mother were the last to step out of the Malfoys' grand marble fireplace Genevieve took a moment to observe Malfoy Manor in all of its supposed glory. It looked gloomy and sparse in comparison to their own house, which was cozy and had comfortable furniture everywhere. Her mother kept her close, her father and two brothers were led up some stairs by a rather clumsy house elf. The house-elf, Dobby, from what Genevieve could examine, had bruises and marks along his stick-like arms and legs and seemed very peculiar and fidgety. None of their house-elves were this clumsy and pathetic looking.
Genevieve didn't mind the Malfoys terribly. They were among the few wizarding families that she and her siblings had been raised with. She knew the Malfoy's only son as well as her own brothers, regrettably.
The house elf led them down a dimly lit corridor, which had pictures and portraits of past Malfoys hanging on either wall. It wasn't long before the elf led them to the parlor. Lucius Malfoy seemed to be talking to two other men, while enjoying a glass that had dark red liquid inside of it; while Narcissa seemed overly enthused at the sight of the newly arrived guests.
"Sophia and Ervan!" Narcissa Malfoy clapped her hands together pleasantly, reaching out to give Genevieve's mother a brisk hug. "You both look well, and I hear this will be somebodies first year at school." The woman's icy blue gaze landed on Genevieve, who worked extra hard at swallowing a lump that had stuck itself in her throat. Narcissa Malfoy was a gorgeous woman, somebody that her own mother adored and flocked to. Narcissa looked vibrant and chipper in a rather voluptuous green dress suit that clung to her curves. She was a fashion icon in comparison to her own mother, who's style was sleek but plain. Sophia did pale in comparison to Narcissa with her own grey and blue dress robes.
Canopus and Berlioz both scattered as soon as their father went and shook hands with Mr. Malfoy. From what the youngest examined all the men ever talked about was politics and how depressing the Ministry was.
When Genevieve managed to wriggle herself out of her mother's grip while she greeted Narcissa, she noticed Bolinda Crabbe and Victoria Goyle, mothers to Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe, were sitting in the parlor at opposing chairs holding their cups of teas on their laps.
"Sophia, it's about time you got here, dear."
"Yes, Bolinda was determined to start the gossip without you," Victoria quipped and she pulled her cup of tea toward her lips.
"Nonsense, Victoria." Bolinda turned to her companion, seeming rather offended.
Sophia smiled gently at the two women, accepting a tall glass of wine handed to her by Narcissa. "Well, let's hear it then."
While lunch was being prepared, Genevieve stood in the parlor awkwardly, not really knowing what to do with herself. She was about to sit down by her mother's chair, when Narcissa suddenly quipped in her direction, "Dear! Draco and the other boys are in his room, I am sure they wouldn't mind you tagging along."
Yes they would. But she wasn't about to address this information to Mrs. Malfoy. "Thank you, Mrs. Malfoy." She turned tail out of the parlor and began to make her way toward Draco's room. She knew she was just Berlioz's kid sister to them. She wasn't a fellow playmate. Every time this happened they would pretend to play hide and seek, have her hide some place, and forget to go find her. Hiding someplace, left to her own devices, was certainly better than being stuck in a room with the lot of them. She didn't mind Berlioz, he was her brother after all, but she often got the vibe that he was ashamed or embarrassed whenever his friends and her were within a close proximity to one another. Berlioz was always the odd-man-out in his group of friends. Crabbe and Goyle weren't smart or clever; they went along willingly with whatever Malfoy chose to do. Berlioz was smart for his age, and extremely clever, the only reason he and Malfoy never butted heads was because Berlioz valued his friendship with the Malfoy boy too much. They were his only friends, the lot of them, and friendship was a luxury when your father was as strict as theirs.
She held up her fist, about to give Draco's bedroom door a tap before she heard a "Psssttt, Genna!"
She looked over her shoulder and saw Canopus peeking behind the corner, waving her over. She happily obliged and walked toward him. "What?"
"Let's be honest with one another," Canopus knelt on one knee in front of her and teasingly ruffled her bangs, "did you really want to socialize yourself with that lot?"
"Not particularly." Genevieve shook her head, thankful for her older brother's kindness.
"Then I say you and me take a tour of the gardens." He stood up, offering his hand to his sister, which she gladly took.
The inside of Malfoy Manor was nothing to sneeze at, but the gardens were gorgeous, in Genevieve's opinion. Canopus knew his younger sister was bound to appreciate the garden's beauty in comparison to Malfoy's company. As it turned out, she did, very much.
"I don't know why I've never seen these garden's before," she stated in amazement, admiring the tall green hedges and the beautiful planted flowers beneath them.
"Maybe it was because you were too busy pretending to play hide and seek?" Canopus guessed, giving her a small smirk.
"Why didn't you say anything?!" Genevieve asked, seeming quite perturbed.
"Well, it seemed you were having so much fun, pretending by yourself that is."
"How did you come to find these gardens? As many times as we've been here I didn't even think to come and look outside." But she wished she had. She could imagine the days where she spent time hiding in a nook sobbing, she could have spent them out in the beautiful garden's of Malfoy Manor.
"Perhaps you should learn to think outside the box?" Canopus offered, shaking his sister's hand playfully. "Excited about Hogwarts?"
"Not really." Genevieve shook her head, feeling more comfortable presenting her dilemma to her brother instead of her mother. She loved her mother, but Genevieve always feared her true thoughts and feelings would disappoint her. "Father has been so firm with you, and I think it is just because you're in Gryffindor. What if I'm in Gryffindor?"
"Something tells me you could be sorted into Hufflepuff and Dad would still treat you fairly well." Canopus looked down at his sister, giving her an encouraging smirk. "I'm the oldest, so he has to be a little course with me now and again."
"I think there is a fair line between being firm and being abusive... I admire you for taking it, his discipline that is, the way you do, Canopus." Genevieve leaned her head against her brother's arm. "I don't know what it is like, but I wish Father would be firm with me once in a while, maybe to give your spirit a break."
"That's why I put up with it so willingly." Canopus looked down at his sister adoringly. "I don't want you or Berlioz to know his wrath like I do."
"Thank you." But really she wanted to say more. She never fully recognized Canopus' self-sacrifice like she did just now. She felt silly, thanking him like this. Almost as if he was helping her with some mundane task, like tying her shoe laces. He accepted her thanks just as plainly, which astounded her even more.
"You're welcome."
Pop. Dobby, the house-elf from before appeared in front of them, clasping his hands together. "Dobby wishes to inform Mister Canopus and Miss Genevieve that lunch is served."
"Thank you, Dobby," Canopus offered the house-elf a small smile before turning around to tug Genevieve back toward the manor. Dobby, all the while followed them, being abnormally quiet. From what Genevieve always remember, Dobby liked to ramble about his chores, something he enjoyed doing when he wasn't be beaten by Lucius. Genevieve pitied the house-elf. Their house-elves were never treated with such malice and hostility. Or at least, not that she was aware of.
When they did walk into the dining room at last, they were the last ones to arrive. Narcissa gave the both of them weary glances before she continued to enjoy her soup.
"Where did the two of you run off to?" Sophia questioned as Canopus pulled out Genevieve's chair, and, once she sat down, scooted her seat in. Her older brother was nothing if not a gentleman.
"Canopus took me to see the gardens outside of the manor," Genevieve explained and cleared her throat before she took her soup spoon. "You have beautiful gardens, Mrs. Malfoy."
"Thank you, sweetheart." Narcissa looked up from her bowl. "Your mother tells me you have an inspiring fondness for Herbology." At this bit of news the lot of the table snickered, even her own father thought this piece of news was amusing! The only ones who didn't laugh, snicker or make some snide comment were Sophia, Canopus, and Berlioz. Sophia bit her tongue of whatever she had felt the urge to say. Knowing her mother as well as she did, Sophia would have probably given a retort of some kind, in a very soft-spoken tone, Yes, well Herbology is quite a delightful subject. Quite delightful! Canopus was just seething, while Berlioz picked and prodded at his food in silence.
"I have to say, I'm sure there are plenty of adequate careers in the field of Herbology," Narcissa stated with a highly amused smirk on her face.
Genevieve looked a little downtrodden at this point. She never felt so embarrassed in her entire life. Her cheeks began to heat up as she quickly began to devour her soup.
"Yes, well I think it's brilliant," Canopus spoke up, causing Narcissa to stifle her laughter. "Herbs and plants might have to be one of the most reliable sources of knowledge there is. I think it's fascinating how a person can tell what certain plants do just by looking at them. Because they certainly look all the same to me."
"Knowledge is fine and dandy, dear boy," Narcissa spoke to Canopus as if she were speaking to a wounded animal, "the point I'm making is there isn't an outstanding career for somebody who only likes Herbology. You don't see herbologists running the Ministry of Magic."
"But at least she would be happy, and doing what she loved." Canopus's steely gray eyes narrowed at Narcissa. "Because honestly, what's the point in doing anything at all if you don't love it?"
"That's enough, Canopus," Ervan spoke up, his dark eyes narrowing on the head of his eldest son.
"Nothing is worth doing if you don't have passion for it, and Genevieve is nothing but passionate about Herbology-" Canopus would have continued, but was cut off by the loud clash of his father's hand colliding with the dinning room table. "That is enough, you will see me outside, now."
Canopus got up fearlessly and stared his father in the eye, continuing to stare until he passed him. Ervan threw his napkin down on his bowl, and got up after excusing himself.
Both her brother and father had been gone for a considerably long time. When they returned Sophia took one look at Canopus's bloody lip and had enough. She thanked the Malfoys for the lunch and then did her best to hurry her family out of Malfoy Manor. When they walked outside, a sleek black car was awaiting them, no doubt there to take the lot of them to Kings Cross Station. Genevieve, Berlioz and Canopus got into the car first, Sophia and Ervan followed.
"A fine mess you created, Canopus. Thank you, for yet again spoiling, another delightful afternoon with the Malfoys."
"Don't mention it," Canopus snapped back, taking a handkerchief from his mother to place over his bleeding lip.
Ervan's stare was harsh and the look on his face was so contorted with anger that Genevieve couldn't look at her father's face for the entire ride to the station. When they did arrive at the station the chauffeur opened the door to the back of the car, helping Sophia and Genvieve out of their seats and went to get the group's luggage out of the trunk. The trunk of the vehicle was enchanted, how else would you be able to fit three trunks, two owl cages in varying size and a cat carrier in there comfortably? Not easily, mind you, not easily. Their belongings were all loaded onto luggage carts, and without a word Ervan and Sophia led their three children into the station. Getting onto the platform wasn't too difficult for Genevieve, especially since her mother had been there to help guide her.
The platform was bustling with young witches and wizards with their own families. Genevieve saw the Crabbes, Goyles and many other pure blood families that were shipping their children off. "Mother," Genevieve wrapped a hand around one of the straps to her jumper, clutching it as if it were her lifeline, "I don't think I can do this." The strange new people, the train, the rushed atmosphere, it was something Genevieve had never experienced before, and she was panicking. She grabbed onto her mother's sleeve with her other hand, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. The sudden thought of leaving her mother entirely alone with their father terrified her. She had always been there to keep her mother company while Canopus and Berlioz went to school, now who would their mother turn to? Who would she have afternoon tea with? Whose hair would she brush endearingly? She latched onto her mother's waist suddenly, nearly making Sophia stumble.
"Darling, there there, it's alright." Sophia knelt down and cupped her daughter's cheeks.
"She's going to be late for the train, Sophia," Ervan snapped, looking at his wife down his pointed nose.
"Ervan, please, she's shaking..."
"Fine!" Loud and violent outbursts were Ervan's specialty. He kicked his daughter's trunk, making the cat carrier tip over, the feline inside hissing furiously. "She doesn't get to go to Hogwarts then! How about that!" Ervan grabbed hold of the luggage cart and flipped it sideways. Once he had done a rather sufficient job at being the center of attention, Ervan left the platform, leaving his sons to pick up the mess he had made and his wife to comfort their daughter.
"Don't you mind him, look at me." Sophia turned her daughter's face so their matching green eyes locked. "I love you so much, and I will love you no matter which house you get sorted into."
"Promise?" Genevieve sniffled.
"I promise." Sophia leaned forward, kissed her daughter's nose and instinctively began to fix her hair and jumper.
"Now, Canopus, you need to look after both Berlioz and Genevieve, alright?" She pulled her eldest son close to her and kissed his temple, running her fingertips through his hair to make sure he was presentable. "Keep them safe, and try to be patient with both of them."
Canopus nodded and leaned his head closer to his mother to allow her to groom him more easily. "Yes, Mother."
"Berlioz, stay out of trouble, and be good for your brother." as Sophia groomed and kissed her second son, he pulled away, seeming miserable when she groomed him. "All right, all right! Enough with the kissing and stuff!"
"Alright, off you go-Genna! Don't forget your cat!"
Stifling her sobs, Genevieve grabbed her cat carrier as her trunk and other luggage was loaded onto the train. She kept seeking out that one last hug and that one last kiss before she went, knowing her mother wouldn't refuse her several last good bye hugs and kisses. Finally Canopus had to drag her onto the train before it took off without them. Pressing her face against the glass of the compartment, she waved sorrowfully at her mother as the train departed.
"It's alright Genna, we'll see her again on holiday," Canopus coaxed.
Her brother's coaxing helped. With some friendly pats and reassurances from Canopus she placed her head on her brother's lap and was lulled into a light sleep.
Author's Note: A special thanks MasterSpy for giving some great and much needed advice! Alright, this is a little fanfiction inspired by a roleplay that has been going on for quite a long while with me and my friend Sophie. Not positive how long each update will take, because I have school and what not... but I will try to be kind and post news and deadlines on when an update should be due.
SO. What do you think? Do you love it, hate it? Either way, comment! I would love to hear thoughts and opinions from fellow Harry Potter fans!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the Harry Potter characters, plots & twists were created by me and my Canadian Sophie as well as the OCs. It's rated M for later chapters and blah blah, blah. I don't own the Harry Potter series. OO DE LALLY OO DE LALLY.