Tai: Yup, this was originally under Poseidon's Chickadee but we decided to switch it to a joint name. It as been thoroughly edited so don't worry -grins-
We don't own anything. And we don't think we're better than JK. Never! Sure she killed Sirius and Snape and lots of other stuff, but she let Arthur and Hagrid live so she is forgiven. Not to mention she sails good ship Ron/Hermie. Lol
This entire story is AU and will have a bunch of side ficlets (more than likely) to make with the explainin'. I hope you enjoy it as much as we had fun writing it!
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Chapter 1: Back in Black
'Cause I'm back on the track and I'm beatin' the flack,
Nobody's gonna get me on another rap
So look at me now, I'm just a makin' my pay,
Don't try to push your luck, just get outta my way
She should have taken the Floo. The words went through Summer Black's head like a mantra. She wasn't entirely certain that one could take the Floo network across an ocean but it had to be better than this. She was stuck between a corpulent man with a love of mustard judging from the stains on his shirt and a woman with a squalling toddler. She was also still too young to do spells outside of school. Of course, school was the main issue. She was still completely unsure of why it was that her father decided to uproot her from Franklin, a perfectly respectable institution of magical instruction to send her to Hogwarts in Scotland. For her final year no less. She sighed and put her headphones back on. It had only taken a small charm to make the lithium battery for her iPod to work. She just hoped that someone remembered to meet her at the airport.
Late. She was running really, really late Tonks thought as she pumped her legs to the best of their ability across the muggle parking lot. Though honestly this time it wasn't at all her fault. It was all Kingsley. She loved her partner, she really did. He was like a brother to her. A big, tall, bald, and overly organized brother. There were certain scary times that he reminded her of her mother. Today had been one of those times because her beloved partner had felt the need to go over the Pucey case, detail by agonizing detail. Something Tonks was sure could have waited until the weekend, next Wednesday even; sadly, Kingsley had not seen it fit to agree. For that reason, she was to be late in picking up her cousin at the airport. It wasn't the example she wanted the girl to have of their family and if her mother knew how late she was going to be Andromeda would have chewed her ear off. Luckily, for her parents were on their honeymoon, something they hadn't been able to do because of the wars and other responsibilities. Now though, they had the time. In fact they had had the time since Harry had managed to off Voldemort around last May. Bloody amazing that. Hello Hawaii for her parents. More responsibilities for her.
Sighing heavily the small young woman slid herself into her father's ancient car. She didn't think that her cousin, whose name she didn't even know, had her apparating license and since there were no available Floo networks to only option was for her to drive. Luckily she had her license. How? Tonks was still trying to figure it out for she would be the first person to tell you she was a horrible driver. However, that was no matter. Hopefully if she ran a few red lights she wouldn't be that late.
Late. Whoever was supposed to pick her up was late. Her father would swallow his wand whole if he found this out. And Summer was sure that Marcus Black would learn of it somehow. Her father may be a laid-back man in most instances but tardiness was not one of them. She paced checking twice to make sure her cat wasn't yowling again. She was tired of the strange looks from the other people in the airport.
Tonks visibly cringed when she just about lanced the car next to her. It wasn't notable and easily fixed with a quick spell. Turning off the engine, she quickly chucked off her robes and raced towards the airport only to turn back when she remembered that she forgot to shut and lock the door. Not that anyone would steal that piece of rubbish.
Short of breath when she got to the airport, she mentally called her mother every foul name she could think of. Send her to get her cousin Marcus' girl but she doesn't know what the bloody girl looks like! The most recent picture of her cousin that Tonks has was of the girl at three. Unconscious Auror training kicks in as she scanned the crowd with keen eyes and mentally eliminated who could be this never-seen-before Black cousin.
Just when Summer didn't think her afternoon could get any worse her book bag broke and she ended up chasing her wand across the busy terminal.
A smirk of amusement played across Tonk's lips. Raising a brow and tilting her head, she looked down in interest at the girl that was scurrying after her wand. Well that turned out to be easier than she had hoped.
In a few steps she walked over to the girl, for her wand had managed to stop right in front of Tonk's steel toed boots, and handed it to her, "Here. " It was with a sigh of relief the young woman took in the younger girl. Her cousin was in obvious muggle clothing: the ratty jeans, a t-shirt, and well-worn sneakers; she had her brown hair in braids down her back. Although she couldn't see the girl's face since she was still bent down and had yet to talk to her she knew that this was one Black that would be nothing like her Aunt Narcissa or her son Draco or even her own mother. She seemed to be more in league with Tonks herself, which was good because today was not a day to be dealing with elitist snobs.
"Wotcher, cousin!" she chirped happily, her smirk turning into a wide and friendly smile. "Names Tonks, and I'm your ride. Sorry about being late." Her tone becoming instantly sheepish.
"No big. I'm Summer, by the way."
Huh, not the usual for a Black but then again her father's name was Marcus and it was horribly normal. Tonks couldn't help but think the girl was damned lucky in not receiving an unusual name. Looking over her cousin discreetly-or at least she hoped it was in a discrete manner-she noticed that the girl looked remarkably like Draco. Not in the pasty, ferrety sort of way but she did have his pointed chin, the delicate features, and the grayer version of the Black blue eyes. She was also rather pale but it was more of a peaches and cream complexion like Tonks own mother than the dire need of the sun that her male cousin had. Summer also had Bellatrix's nose she saw, small and dainty. All in all Summer was rather lovely. But then again what Black wasn't? Except for her Aunt B but that was because of years of Azkaban. Oh, yes and herself. Because at twenty-four Tonks had still yet to fully grow into her body.
She let out a rather gusty sigh; today was defiantly not the day for thoughts like that. Mentally shaking them away, she smiled again when she realized that Summer didn't have much of her cousin Sirius in her. Unless it was in temperament and if that was the case she just prayed that the girl did not end up in Gryffindor. There were only so many troublemakers Minerva could handle, Tonks thought of Harry with a fond smile
"Since I'm a seventh year do you think I'm still going to be put in one of those ridiculous houses?" Summer asked her cousin. She figured that anyone with pink streaks in their hair would probably share her general disdain for the status quo.
Tonks blinked at the flippant tone and the clear disdain in her cousin's voice. "Erm, well yes. Of course. I reckon you will. Even though you're a transfer that's the way it's been done. For years!" She couldn't help but add the last two words or the emphasis. Sure, she had to admit that the importance put on houses, and who should talk to whom, was a bit silly but they were there for a reason.
Summer bit back a groan, "We didn't have houses at Franklin."
Tonks raised a curious and interested brow, "Really? I heard that's how many of the American magic schools did it but I never knew how that worked. Everyone's just in one big group? No splitting up or anything?"
"You have a dorm but it's just where you sleep. I think that they choose everything totally randomly because my roommate my first year was a complete idiot."
"Oh." Tonks nodded. "Wow. Well, there probably won't be any preventing of the idiot part no matter what house you get." Her smile returning. "But all the heads of houses are great. Even Snape, if you know how to deal with him."
"He's the potions master, right? Can you jimmy my bag for me? I can't use my wand."
"Yes, uh, he his. Excuse me you want me to what?" An adorably perplexed expression slid onto Tonk's face.
"Fix my bag. I can't repair it because I can't use magic. I'm still under seventeen."
"Oh right." With a careful wave of her wand, Tonks fixed the strap of Summer's book bag.
"Thanks. Do you know who I'm staying with until school starts? Dad was a little vague about that. Okay, he's been a lot vague about a lot of stuff recently," she picked up her bag and her cat carrier.
"Not really but the only logical choice is cousin Sirius. Mum and dad are on their honeymoon and my flat isn't fit for visitors. And no one in their right mind would want to stay with the Malfoys unless they're looking for reasons to lower their self-esteem." Tonks supplied with a slight grin. "Aunt Narcissa's good at that, putting people in their 'place'."
"Malfoys? Sorry, Dad hasn't been exactly forthcoming with the Black family history. All I've heard is something involving some relative telling him that he was no better than a squib and him leaving for America in a fit of anger."
Tonks scrunch her nose up in both distaste and understanding, almost like a cringe. "That could possibly great-aunt Walburga. She had certain notions about what a witch or wizard should and should not be, and apparently, she was often verbal about them. Her portrait still is. You'll see that horrid thing soon enough. And the Malfoys," She added. "are as big of bigots as she is. Uncle Lucius for sure. Aunt Narcissa and Cousin Draco not so much, at least that's what mum says." Tonk's expression became thoughtful for a moment before she shrugged. "No matter, you'll meet them soon enough. Better to form your own opinion than let other's judgments cloud it. Though I will say they'll be the last people you should ever expect to get a warm welcome from." She was going to continue but she stopped; as she had said better for Summer to form her own opinion.
"Why couldn't Dad tell me these things before he shipped me off? Are they gonna hate me on sight for being an American?"
The dark haired-pink streaked Metamorphagus hesitated, "I really don't know. Can't say I know them well enough. I mean I know that Draco WILL say something nasty to you, but I don't know if it's on principle or because he means it. He might snap about how you think your ways are better than his, since in general American wizards are more liberal. I can't say, but do expect comments because whether or not Draco Malfoy has a heart is debatable but one thing I know for sure he will always be a self-important git." This wasn't said at all unkindly. "I don't think he knows any other way. Aunt Narcissa is a whole different matter. I don't think she'll need to know where you come from to find a reason to hate you."
"That's reassuring," Summer muttered.
"Don't worry." She knew she shouldn't have been laughing but Tonks couldn't quite contain her giggle. "That's just two out of the rest of us. And it's not like you'll ever meet Aunt Bellatrix."
"Why is that?"
"The woman's mad. Starking and raving mad, and absolutely evil. Not like we'd ever have her for tea." Though her tone was joking her face is utterly serious . "She was part of You-Kn-erm, V-voldemort's inner circle. No one's seen hide nor hair of her since Harry offed the Dark Loser, but I doubt she'll be coming home any time soon. She's batty, not stupid. Some people think she's dead though. I am reserving judgment."
"So he's really gone? Voldemort that is."
"Harry says he is. And he'd be the one to know the most. Only a select few know what happened between the two seeing as Harry hasn't talked about it. To anyone. I don't think even his best mates know because they weren't there for that part. Daily Prophet's going nuts trying to figure it out and many are right angry that he won't say, but I don't think it's something ya brag about. We, his friends that is, figure when he's ready to talk about it he will. So don't ask anything, okay?" It was a friendly enough request but it was stated a bit sharply.
"Of course I won't. When would I have a chance to anyway?"
"Harry is cousin Sirius' godson. He spends most of his summer at Grimmauld Place or the Black Manor."
"So I'll be living with him?"
Tonks nodded, "With both of them, lest Harry's at the Burrow during break. I'm sure you'll go there too, in fact if Molly, no when Molly has her way, you'll be over there with a plate loaded with food and her clucking over you." She grinned. "Molly has some ..erm, rather interesting opinions about Sirius and his influence on children."
"Who's Molly?"
"Weasley. She's the mum of one of Harry's best mate. And is mother hen extraordinaire. She has seven children, the older six boys." Tonks added the extra information to help her cousin. She wondered why her cousin Marcus had never told his daughter these things. Clearly, he hadn't been around for about seventeen years, but the older things ... Summer didn't know anything at all.
"Are they idiots? The Weasley boys?"
"Uoph." Tonks breathed out a laugh. "Yes and no. They're all bloody genius in their fields, many times in other ways. But they have idiotic bad tempers, can be a bit short sighted, and then there are the twins and Percy. Percy was an idiot for many years because he let pride and ambition get in his way, and he's a whiny prat. Love the boy like a brother, he grows on you like mold but he really is a bit of a snob. And then there are the twins ... " She laughed again not sure how to describe those two hellions. "Some, no MANY say that they walk the fine line between fools and brilliance."
"Why do they say that?"
"Because the twins are trouble makers. Spent a lot of time in detention and reveling in mayhem." Tonks replied as they entered the parking lot. "They ended up leaving before they graduated, leaving a spectacular mess for the then Headmistress, not that she didn't deserve it. They were, are forever getting into scrapes, and yet they always managed to get out of them on top. Not to mention that they invent all they're own pranks, they're like little scientists. Little scientists their own a successful joke shop."
"They sound interesting."
"They're all right." The older female replied with another grin. "Hey," Tonks paused slightly. "You don't happen to know how to drive do you?"
"In America I do. But I can't drive on the wrong side of the street."
Tonks blew out a breath and bit off the curse she was feeling; manners and all kept her from saying it. Giving her newly discovered cousin a wobbly smile she said, "Well, then buckle up!" She exclaimed in what sounded to be cheerfulness and confidence.
If Summer survived this ride she was sure that her cousin would never want to be in any moving object with her again. If she didn't ... well ... Mum was sooo going to kill her.
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Tai: -waves- Hola. It is I again. Any questions? Feel free to ask them. AU stories can be a bit confusing especially when they change history. I hope it wasn't too out there and our attempts to set the scene worked –smiles- Did you enjoy it?
Draco –snorts, and lip curls back in a slight sneer- Of course they enjoyed it. I'm going to be in it.
Tai: What are you doing here?
Draco: I came to see how you blunder and ruin my family name. I also wanted everyone to know I'd be there soon to steal the scene.
Tai: -sighs- Draco, wait your turn. You don't show up until the third chapter. They're not supposed to know.
Draco: -thinks that the stupid writer just told them but wisely keeps his mouth shut- Do you really think they would continue to read this rubbish unless they knew that I was in it? –sniffs, his regal and wonderfully shaped … just like the rest of him … nose- I think not.
Tai: Actually, they're reading it because they know that Snape is going to end up with … -narrows eyes- Are you trying to get me to give the plot away?
Draco: -fails in his attempt to look innocent-
Tai: Who put you up to this? I know you're not smart enough to think of this on your own. –ignores the indignant cry- Was it Theo? No –shakes head when the Slytherin looks up from his homework with a coolly raised brow- Summer? Nah. –notices the American on her ipod-. Tell me who it is, now.
Draco: -crosses his arms and pouts- No.
Tai: Tell me or I'll tell Dawn you've been a bad boy.
Draco: -perks up- Really? You would?
Tai: What is that supposed to mean?
Draco: -shrugs, and smiles with cocky meanness- Dawn and I have a special bond. I like her better than you.
Tai: -plops down on the floor with a grumble- How is that when b I'm /b the one who … oh forget it. Stupid Slytherin. Well I like Harry better!
Draco: -snorts- No you don't.
Tai: Yes, I … Well no I don't but … I … Oh, stop trying distracting me from the good readers … don't say a word pasty one!
Pridwyn: Pasty one? –scribbles down on parchment of Insults to Belittle Her Favorite Ferret-
Draco: -growls-
Tai: Ignore them. Slytherins. Anyways. Please review. Please continue to read. You are correct in guessing that this story will center mostly on Blacks. Narcissa. Tonks. Sirius. Draco ... unfortunately, and of course Summer and her dad if he decides to come over. And also Harry who isn't a Black by blood but Sirius IS his godfather.
Draco: Frickin Hairy Pothead
Tai: -ignores him- It will also be a centered around minor characters and Slytherins, in connection to the Blacks. Because Dawn and I wave the Minor Characters banner, along with the Odd Couples, We Heart Severus, Red Hair and Freckles Rule, and 'OCs Have Feelings Too … As Long As The Aren't Dull Sues' banners. And we wave them proudly. Dawn also has a Neville Pwn'd the Snake button. And I have a I Adore Hufflepuffs one. –shrugs- Yes, we are strange but you'll never be bored!
Draco: –snores as he cuddles with his stuffed toy dragon-
Tai: He doesn't count. –goes to find someone to complain to about Draco-