Disclaimer: Anything you recognise belongs to JK Rowling and Warner Bros.
A/N: Now I want to start off by saying a few things. First off, Howdy! I will be posting a new chapter every Saturday so updates will be regular. Secondly, this is just my own take on The Next Generation, it is very AU, and if you don't like it , I apologise but I think you may be reading the wrong story . Also important to note is that in my version, Sirius never died (it was too horrifying I couldn't) . SO, enough from me , on to the story. I hope you enjoy , and if you do , don't forget that I love having new reviews to read! - Elf
Also, I have started a tumblr page for this story, it will have character profiles from when I was writing my original notes for the story, info on story updates etc :
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Chapter One – Coming Home
"But the people who mattered were the people you chose instead of the people who were yours by an accident of birth. Real family was heart as much as, if not more than, blood."
- Martina Boone
Song that inspired the chapter title: Take Me Home – Jess Glynne
"Okay Mum, I have to get going now" I said, trying – and failing – to sound firm.
"That's Right, leave me here all on my own just like your useless bastard of a father!" she slurred, I could smell the gin from my spot on the other side of the sitting room. Her once beautiful face was now twisted into an ugly expression filled with hurt and despair, her blonde hair so similar to mines lay dull and greasy around her shoulders. She gripped the square bottle with her tiny hands, fingernails bitten down to the quick, clinging onto it like it was her only lifeline. My heart ached to look at her. She had once been so vivacious. So happy and full of life, so proud to be a mother. As I looked at the skeletal woman before me, pyjamas covered in sweat stains and cigarette burns, It was hard to believe that she was the same woman. I spent most of my life grieving the person she once was, I guess I was still clinging to that faint glimmer of hope that one day she would come back to me, otherwise, why did I stay?
"Mum, please, don't do this" I pleaded with her , " You know I have to go! It's school, you're being unfair." I felt tears prick my eyes, Why today of all days? How was I supposed to leave her here like this? Behind the malice, I could see a deep sadness behind my mother's eyes, could see her silently begging me not to leave her all alone. This happened every time; the screaming, the crying, the inevitable gut-wrenching guilt I would feel the second I walked out of the door. It was our routine.
"Well , bugger off then! It's what you're best at! " she wailed , sending her glass bottle careering towards me, spraying the foul-smelling liquid inside everywhere, before it missed, colliding with the wall beside me. I felt a sharp sting on my left cheek as a small shard of stray glass managed to find me . I wanted to scream. Why couldn't she understand? Why couldn't she just put on a brave face for one stupid day , protect me for a change, like a normal mother?
I bit my lip as I instantly regretted my angry thoughts, and felt so grateful today wasn't the day I finally snapped and expressed them all out loud. I gave the woman in from of me , who I loved and resented in equal measure, one last helpless look before turning around and walking out the door.
"Bye mum, I love you" I whispered quietly as a silent tear rolled down my cheek, causing my fresh gash to sting and burn. I hardly noticed, feeling numb as I finally shut the door behind me.
As I stepped through the barrier at King's Cross and caught my first glance at the beautiful scarlet steam engine my heart fluttered a little, performing a little happy dance. I was really here . After nine decidedly draining weeks , I was finally going home.
" Merlin , Brynn what happened to your face?!" gasped Ginny Potter , who spotted me as I was scanning the platform for Rose.
Damn. In all my brooding self-pity I had forgotten about my cheek, what must it look like? So stupid.
"What, this? Oh its nothing, just a scratch" I laughed nervously, quickly pulling a tissue from my pocket, trying to wipe the worst of the blood off. I had always been a terrible liar.
Ginny's only response was the fiery look in her eyes and the tightening of her lips, her mouth set into a grim line as she set to work on healing and cleaning the cut. We both knew where the cut had come from, this wasn't the first time she had had to mop me up after one of Mum's episodes. Ginny had always been so kind to me, in reality I was only her niece's best friend, but she had always treated me like family, taken me in when my mum locked me out of the house for the millionth time. She had given me a place where I could feel safe and welcome, without judgement, without question, she had always just understood . She was one of the kindest people I had ever met, and on much darker days than today , I wished that she were my mother instead.
Although, that would make me related to James Potter. I shuddered visibly at the thought.
"Brynn! Oh my God you're here! I've missed you too much" A flying mess of red curls came hurtling towards me at top speed, slamming into me with so much force I almost fell over, taking the flying hairball with me. However, the attack wasn't finished yet, once I had just begun to regain my balance I was enveloped in a bone crushing hug, so tight I could feel my star shaped pendant digging into my chest painfully.
"God Rose, I only seen you a fortnight ago! " I laughed , returning the hug enthusiastically before finally breaking free from this madwoman's clutches.
"A week is far too long without my soul mate!" she exclaimed, clutching her heart melodramatically, laughter in her eyes.
I guffawed loudly at her antics. My mood instantly lifted and even Ginny's eyes crinkled with humour, forgetting her concern from two minutes previous.
Rose Weasley is my best friend. And as already mentioned, she is also my soul mate. In a completely platonic way, I am in love with this girl . Rose is my other half. The yin to my yang, the John Lennon to my Paul McCartney, the Romeo to my- well you get the gist.
Whenever I get all anxious and weird over all my emotional bullshit , she is right there, armed with a bucketload of mint chocolate chip ice cream and an endless supply of distasteful jokes about the boys in our year. When she is becoming insufferable with her pre-exams madness, I'm there to slap her out of it (literally) and force her to get drunk off her ass on Firewhiskey with me until she is sufficiently relaxed. We just fit. I don't think I could love another human being more than I love Rose, She is the sister I never had .
Yes I am aware that it might seem over the top to the rest of the world , but there it is. I hope I never get married, because that poor guy will have to get comfortable in that second place spot in my heart . Rose always says that we're never getting married anyways , we'll just become cranky 100 year old virgin spinsters together and then one day we'll just up and decide to blow this crazy joint once and for all and go out in a blaze of glory and hell-fire like Thelma and Louise.
If I hadn't mentioned, Rose is also completely bonkers.
"You bitches why didn't you write? I was stuck with my idiot brother and his dumbass friends with no sane human contact for two whole weeks! You guys are super shitty friends, I might have to trade you in for a new lot" came a deadpan voice from my left.
Ah Leanne, pleasant as ever . She likes to pretend to be super bitchy and cynical about everything. It's her bit.
I know the truth though, I saw her cry when we watched Marley & Me at Rose's house two summers ago. And, I just so happen to know that she still has her childhood teddy bear Mr. Rumpus tucked away in her trunk; he's a yellow fluffy rabbit in a tartan waistcoat and bow-tie and she adores him. She told me this one drunken night over the summer , and threatened me with pain of death if I ever told anyone.
I just know that there's a soft and squishy centre buried deep down somewhere underneath all that heavy eyeliner and purple lipstick. Pia says I'm setting myself up for is disappointment; all I'll find there is a large black hole where her heart should be. I say she's getting Leanne mixed up with herself.
She must be at least a little bit nice, her parents are Neville and Hannah Longbottom for Merlin's sake!
"I'm sorry Lee, I had stuff going on" I responded earnestly, feeling awful. Just another thing to feel guilty for, eh?
"Ah forget it, I don't need you abandoners anyways, I made my own fun in the end. Now, lets get our asses on this train so we can get a good compartment before they're all swarming with first years"
We grabbed a compartment towards the end of the carriage, and we had barely loaded our trunks before Rose was rushing out for the Prefect's meeting, leaving me and Leanne alone for a little while , while we waited on the rest of the gang to join us.
It was fun, she told me all the crazy stuff her brother Frank and his friends got up to over the summer, and I regaled her with the crazy tales of my week spent at the Weasley house, and we eventually circled round to Leanne's laughter inducing, boy-filled adventures, and of these there were many. Not all of them were pretty, I'll tell you. We were both in stitches by the time Charlotte found us.
"What's so funny guys?" she asked innocently, staring at the two if us expectantly. Charlotte was the sweetest person on the planet.
No, seriously. The girl didn't have a cruel bone in her entire body. I sometimes wonder if she was entirely human. She was like sunshine personified, always so happy and peaceful. Just being around her could send you into a place of total Zen. It was weird. What was even weirder – her best friend was Leanne! That's right, the Queen of Darkness herself. Oh well, they do say opposites attract I suppose.
"Oh , nothing Charlie, trust us you wouldn't want to know" I informed her, wiping the tears from my eyes .
"Yeah, wouldn't want to offend a Hufflepuff''s delicate sensibilities would we? Leanne mocked.
"Your stories would offend even my ears Leanne" came another voice from the compartment door "and that's saying something".
"Ugh. What do you want Potter, didn't get enough of me over the summer?" she bantered back. (James was one of the aforementioned dumbass friends of Frank).
"Oh I got more than enough to last a lifetime thanks. I'm here to speak to the other pain in my arse" he laughed.
"Present!" I quipped, "What do you want, Jamie?"
He narrowed his eyes at the much hated childhood nickname and actually growled.
I laughed in his face at that . Loudly.
In return he flicked me in the nose. It bloody hurt!
I turned his precious hair pink. He cried
Just business as usual for us really.
Once I had finished turning his hair back to its usual inky black, I gestured for him to take the seat across from mines. So of course he picked the one next to me. Bloody Potter. Always has to do the opposite of what you say. He's lucky I like his mum too much to murder her first born.
"So, what can I do you for, Jamsey-boy?" I asked him teasingly. He let it slide this time, knowing he was fighting a losing battle.
"Well, I wanted to talk to you about the first Hogsmeade visit actually"
"Aw, I'm sorry potter, but I think I'm washing my hair that day" I responded, trying to look genuinely apologetic, "I hear that the Giant Squid is looking, maybe she will go with you?"
"I'm not asking you out idiot" he responded, smacking me upside the head
"I prefer my dates to have an actual brain, rather that the fluff you keep in between your ears!"
Leanne laughed, I elbowed her in the ribs. Hard. Some friend she is.
" My mum wanted to know if you'll meet her for lunch, she wants to talk to you about something?" he continued, looking smug at having won this round. I scowled in response.
"Talk to me about what?" I asked warily, although I was pretty sure I knew what it was about.
"Damned if I know" he shrugged before helping himself to one of my chocolate frogs. I sent a dirty look his way. Stealing my damn chocolate, the greedy swine!
"Oh yeah! And she said don't forget to write or she'll send you a howler telling everyone about that one time when you sleep walked into her bedroom and-"
"Okay! That's enough , I get the point! ... now for the love of Merlin leave before I strangle you." I grumbled
James shot me another smug look , before nicking another frog from the pile and ducking out of the compartment before I had a chance to retaliate.
Bloody Potters.
The rest of the train ride was mercifully uneventful , although I did notice that Pia hadn't bothered to come and find us all journey. That didn't worry me too much though, she didn't always like to be surrounded by people , she was strange that way. Being alone is just about the worst thing I could imagine, but Pia relishes the peace and quiet . She says its important for her to "be alone with her thoughts" . I wouldn't be surprised if she was just off enjoying her last bit of serenity before she was once again forced to share a room with four other Ravenclaw girls for the next ten months.
I met up with Rose again as the train was pulling into Hogsmeade and we headed off with Leanne and Charlie to grab a carriage. They were filling up quickly, so we ended up stuck in next to a couple of second years, who were twittering annoyingly about one thing or another, while Rose ranted on about something Scorpius Malfoy apparently did.
"I mean, how he even became a prefect I don't even – Brynn , are you listening to me?!" Rose snapped at me , pulling me from my daydream.
"Yes Rose, Malfoy's a massive arse , he's the spawn of Satan , not fit to wear a Prefect's badge , I know! "
Rose harrumphed at that, clearly upset that she doesn't get to lecture me on the importance of paying attention when your best friend is ranting. I sniggered behind my hand.
Now, to be honest I wasn't really listening to a word Rose was saying, but by 6th year I have the Malfoy speech down pat. Rose has bitched and moaned about Scorpius bleeding Malfoy for six years, without fail. It does stick with you.
The worst part is, Scorp isn't even really a bad guy. I think Rose just can't forgive that he beat her to top student in first year, or the fact that they've been back and forth for the title their whole school career.
Rose really hates losing.
Point is, ever since then they have been at each others throats. They bring out the worst parts of each other. When they come to blows, anyone in the near vicinity better take cover. Last time, Louis Weasley ended up in the hospital wing with tentacles where his ears should have been. It wasn't pretty.
"You know, I bet if you two would just find a broom cupboard somewhere and get it over with already , I bet you would feel loads better" said Leanne slyly, knowing exactly how Rose would react, and anticipating the red faced rage that would follow.
Except it never came. Instead, Rose …. she blushed! AND stuttered.
I have never, in the ten years I've known her, seen Rose lost for words. This was big.
"Oh. My. God" I breathed, a slow look of realisation taking over my features. There was a party, over the summer. And Rose ….she disappeared , and... Oh God. I stared at her, slack – jawed.
Rose shot me look that was simultaneously panicked and deadly, clearly intended to say " Shut Up. Now"
So I did, out of fear for my very life.
But I returned her look with one of my own. It said "this isn't over, Red" . Either that or I just looked constipated. Any which way, I think she got the point.
Rose' almost imperceptible nod of her head told me that she did.
We arrived at the welcoming feast, and were surprised to see Pia already sitting there at the Ravenclaw table, seemingly the first student there. I skipped over to my other best friend happily, and plopped down next to her before engulfing her in a warm hug, which she returned with just as much enthusiasm.
Cassiopeia Carolina Black. Quiet, graceful and reserved on the outside, looking every inch the pureblood lady she was. Behind her cool exterior though, hid an extremely sharp mind, a quick wit and a wicked sense of humour. I suppose it shouldn't be surprising, she was the daughter of Sirius Black after all. Pia also has a very warm hart, once you crack away the hard surface .
Our relationship is different than the one I have with Rose. Pia and I are each others' confidant, no one understands the stuff I go through more than she does, and we can talk to each other without fear of judgement, complete freedom to vent. She always jokes that it's not friendship that we've found in each other – its therapy.
"Hiya P! We missed you on the train, where did you go?" I asked cheerily , happy to be home and reunited with all of my favourite people.
"I didn't take the train, I took the Floo " she responded, smirking smugly.
"Hey! No Fair! How come you didn't have to sit through the painfully boring train ride here!" Leanne pouted.
"Jeez Lee, nice to know that you enjoy our company so much. You were an absolute joy yourself" I quipped, used to her antics.
"You'll see" was the only response Pia gave. Well, that and and eyebrow raise that I can only assume was supposed to be mysterious.
Lee and Charlotte started to protest and push for more information. I just stayed silent, turning away with a laugh and a shake of my head, knowing that this is exactly the reaction she had wanted. I could she the mischief glittering behind her eyes, as she tried to maintain the bored expression plastered across he features.
I turned around to Rose, to see her reaction to Pia's announcement, but instead found her scanning the crowd filing into the Great Hall, expression unreadable.
"Rose" I whispered in her ear, causing her to jump. I giggled softly.
"What is it Brynn" she snapped , looking flustered and annoyed.
"Don't get snippy with me Madam, it's not my fault your new toy boy hasn't arrived yet. I was going to say, before I was rudely interrupted, that if you don't want anyone else making the connection that I did, you should try actually engaging in the conversation at hand instead of making googly eyes at the door"
"I was not making googly eyes" Rose huffed, but promptly turned back around to face the rest of us .
"Sure you weren't" I chuckled.
God it was good to be home.
Turns out, the reason that Pia didn't have to take the train this year is that her dad is the new DADA professor!
This was big news. Big, exciting news. We all loved Sirius (Sorry, Professor Black now right?) . The weekend we spend at Pia's every summer is always highly anticipated. He always has the most amazing stories, not to mention the fact that he is absolutely gorgeous.
I , of course, smacked Pia in the arm immediately for withholding this information. She only smiled in return. This year was going to be a good one, I could feel it!
After the feast, our bellies full, and sufficiently sleepy, we all trekked up to our respective dormitories; Pia, Rose and I to Ravenclaw, Charlie and Lee to Hufflepuff. I squealed and dove head first into my insanely comfortable four poster bed with blue and bronze hangings. No bed on earth had ever been as comfortable as my one as Hogwarts. I wrapped myself up in a cocoon , fully clothed, just breathing in the fresh comforting scent.
Rose laughed at my behaviour, and immediately jumped in next to me grabbing her own section of my duvet. This was a regular occurrence with Rose and I, we loved our sleepovers. Even if Rose was a duvet hog.
" Seriously, will you two just get on with it! Just admit how much you love each other and let the rest of us get on with our lives in peace!" came a snarky voice from the doorway.
Ah, our other dorm mate; Romona Malfoy. Blonde, leggy, sarcastic and brilliant.
Romy is hilarious, and I personally enjoy her company. Pia – not so much.
"No one asked you Malfoy" hissed Pia , eyes narrowing.
Now, I have no idea where the hatred came from. Apparently , things have been this way since they were just toddlers. But whatever the reason, Romy cannot do anything without getting under Pia's skin. It can sometimes make life pretty difficult for us all if she decides to respond to Pia's attacks.
Luckily, today was not one of those days.
"oh, pipe down Black, they know I'm kidding" Romy waved her away. "So how was your summer Brynn, Rose?" she waggled her eyebrows suggestively. Rose's face slowly turned the colour of her hair as it filled with heat.
Damn, I forgot how close she was to her brother.
"My summer was great thanks, yours?" I responded quickly, trying to direct her attention away from Rose.
"Oh, fine I guess" she responded lazily, as she took off her leather ankle boots. " The parents took us to visit the château in Nice. It was gorgeous but with only my parents and the four boys for company, it got pretty dull fast."
"Sounds lonely" I agreed, secretly hating her a little for her charmed life and lovely normal family.
Rose and I waited until everyone else had nodded off , and then I pulled the curtains shut, grabbed my secret stash of chocolate and Butterbeer and climbed in beside her.
"Okay, all done, now spill" I whispered excitedly , unable to wait any longer.
"Alright, but you can't judge me, you promise?" she grumbled, nervously nibbling on a piece of chocolate.
"Of course I won't, I promise!" I reassured her, a little hurt that she even had to ask, but ignoring it because she was obviously really nervous.
She took a deep breath, bracing herself, and began.
"Okay, so as you know, Dylan McCleod had a massive party while his parents were away to that African Safari. " I nodded my assent.
"Right. Well, obviously you guys had been teasing me all night about how I was so perfect and boring and never did anything fun, Rose the Perfect Prefect , I think it was?"
I felt a little guilty then, I don't usually drink Firewhiskey, and I had been a little worse for wear, and Rose had been lecturing me. So I had snapped the nickname in a moment of drunken anger. It wasn't even true, Rose was the most fun person I knew. But once it was out there, it caught on, and everyone started joining in.
Rose must have registered the guilt on my face because she continued;
"Oh, don't look so down , I'm over it darling. I know I'm fabulous. ANYWAYS, I was pretty pissed, and you know what that looks like. So I started doing shots with Miles Kirke. Surprisingly nice guy by the way! After that, I still felt annoyed so I went out onto the veranda to try to clear my head. Scorpius was already there so I - "
"Scorpius is it now?" I asked teasingly. She glared in return.
"Well that's his name isn't it?" she said sharply "And if you want to hear the rest of my story you'll stay silent until the end or so help me God , I will go back to my own bed!"
I apologised and urged her to continue, vowing to be silent.
"So I turned to leave, and he-he asked me not to. Normally I would have just laughed in his face and walked away, but I was tipsy and he looked sad. I stayed. Oh Brynn, it was amazing! We stayed up talking all night, we laughed and argued and drank Firewhisky and just talked. For hours. I even tried a cigarette! Not as bad as you would think actually"
She was getting giddy as she explained all of this. Her eyes were shining and she was lost in the memory. I loved seeing my best friend happy. But I'm ashamed to admit I felt just a twinge of jealousy at that moment, like she was leaving me behind. I pushed the feeling away quickly, wanting to hear the rest of her tale.
"It started to get light out, and we watched the sun go up together. That's when he kissed me. It just felt wonderful. I was drunk, and feeling bold, and so I asked him to come upstairs with me. We …."
She hesitated , looking worriedly at me.
"We slept together, and it was just... it was bliss. Everyone says that your first time is awful , but it wasn't , it was just" She sighed happily.
" Brynn, we've been meeting up all summer. The week he was in France was the worst. I really like him." she blushed then, suddenly nervous.
I swallowed the strange feeling in my throat, and decided to be a good friend.
"Well , that's so great Rosie, I'm so happy for you. But, why are you pretending that you still hate him?".
My voice sounded hollow, even to me. I didn't know how she didn't notice it.
"My dad would go spare! He hates the Malfoys. Not to mention my 5000 cousins who scare off any boy who so much as looks at me." She huffed angrily.
I understood. I had seen many a poor sap face the wrath of the Wotters. It wasn't pretty
"Will you help me keep it a secret Brynn. Just for a while? I really need this"
She looked up at me pleadingly.
I sighed " Of course I will, what're sisters for?"
She smiled up at me greatfully before engulfing me in a massive Rose-hug.
I was wrong, this year wasn't going to be a great one. The word I was looking for was eventful.
A/N: Wooo! First chapter over! Let me know what you think! Thanks for reading guys.