Chapter 2 - Not So Bad
"Are you a first year too?" Violet asked the black-haired boy lightly, noticing the books in his arms.
"Yes," he replied slowly, taking in her appearance with what Violet guessed to be a look of superiority.
"Cool, looks like we'll be classmates then," she said, ignoring his haughty look.
"Just don't expect us to be anything more," he stated arrogantly.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Violet shot back heatedly.
"You're a Mudblood, aren't you?" he replied as if it were obvious.
Violet's nostrils flared, however, Lily had told her about that word. "If you mean, am I a Muggle-born, then the answer is yes," she said in a strained polite tone.
"Then there is your answer," the boy pointed out simply. "I'm pureblood, and will be in Slytherin, a house in which you will never be."
"You arrogant little -" Violet started, but was cut-off by another black-haired boy, who she noticed looked like a merely older version of the boy she was talking to, albeit with slightly longer hair, coming over.
"Making friends, Reg?" the newcomer asked the boy lightly, slapping a hand on his shoulder.
"Certainly not with this Mudblood," the boy replied, shaking off the older boy's hand. "I'm not a blood-traitor like you," he added haughtily.
The older boy scowled. "Oh go cry to Mum," he retorted. The younger boy rolled his eyes disdainfully, but walked away nonetheless. The older boy turned back to Violet. "Sorry 'bout that, Regulus can be quite a git sometimes."
Violet smirked. "I'm sure my older sister would say the same thing about me," she commented.
He chuckled. "Sirius Black," he introduced himself, holding out his hand.
"Oh, so you're one of the boys my sister complains about," Violet drawled amusedly, recognizing the name.
Sirius raised his eyebrows. "Ah, my reputation precedes me," he smiled brightly.
Violet grinned. "Violet Evans," she introduced herself, shaking his hand.
"Nice to meet you Violet," he replied.
"You too, Sirius."
"Sirius!"
The two looked over toward the voice and saw the older, well-dressed, haughty woman, whose nose was up in the air in a very snobbish manner, with Regulus by her side.
Sirius looked back at Violet. "Well, I gotta go. I'll save you a seat on the train," he offered. "Just in case you don't feel like sitting with your sister," he added lightly.
Violet smiled as he left to join his family.
"Found everything?" Lily asked as she reached her sister. Violet nodded, but Lily noticed the small smile on her younger sister's face. "What's up?" she questioned.
Violet shrugged. "Just thinking. Maybe Hogwarts isn't going to be so bad after all."
Lily beamed, and the two continued on with the rest of their shopping.
-0-
"Tuney," Violet said quietly, after knocking on her sister's bedroom door. Petunia didn't answer though. Violet sighed. "Tuney, I know you're mad at me, and I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm a witch, I'm sorry I'm going to Hogwarts, and I'm sorry you don't get to. But you're still my sister, and no matter what, no matter how much you hate me...I still love you." Violet took a deep breath, and waited, though no reply came. "Look Tuney, Mum said you weren't coming to the station, so I'm saying goodbye now. I'll write you," she promised. "I guess I'll see you at Christmas then," she muttered. "Bye Tuney."
-0-
"You girls have fun, and be good," their mother told them on the platform.
"We will," they promised.
"Good," their father said. "And don't forget to write," he added firmly.
"We won't Dad," Lily assured him. Violet nodded in agreement.
"Come here," he sighed, wrapping an arm around both girls. "I love you two."
"Love you too Dad," they replied.
He sighed as he released them, only for them to be engulfed in another hug by their mother.
-0-
"Why are we doing this again?" Snape asked as he and Lily trolled along the corridor of the train looking for Violet. "Your sister probably just found some other kids to sit with," he reasoned.
Lily sighed. "I know. I just...want to make sure she's okay."
Snape sighed, but continued helping her search without another word.
-0-
"Oh look, it's the Mudblood."
Violet rolled her eyes and turned to face the group, looking at Regulus. "Oh look, it's the arrogant little prick," she retorted in the same manner.
He narrowed his eyes at her, but it was the older blonde girl, with a look as if some foul smell were under her nose, that spoke to Violet.
"Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?" she asked with a look of pure contempt at Violet.
Violet opened her mouth, but before she could retort a voice behind her said, "Do you just love picking on people younger than you because you know you could never take on anyone your own age?"
Violet smirked at the look of outrage on the girl's face, and the almost...embarrassed look on Regulus's face.
"Go mind your own business Sirius, or do I need to write your mother and tell her what kind of people you're hanging out with, even after her warning?" the girl threatened.
"Write her all you want Cissy, it won't change anything," Sirius shrugged. "But I'd appreciate it if you quit trying to brainwash my brother, he gets enough of that at home," he added somberly, though he was trying to keep his tone light.
Regulus didn't say anything, but his mouth twitched as though he was going to.
"Just get out of here Sirius, you're not welcome," the girl told him.
"Gladly," he replied pointedly, turning to leave.
Violet followed him, and as soon as they had exited the compartment, the door slammed shut behind them.
"What were you doing with those gits?" Sirius asked bluntly.
"I was just passing by when your brother decided to make a comment about me being Muggle-born," Violet explained, a little defensively.
"Ah," he nodded understandingly. "Sorry 'bout that, he buys into our family's pure-blood supremacy rubbish."
"But you don't?" Violet questioned.
Sirius looked away for a second before looking back at her with a smile. "Not anymore," he answered lightly.
Violet smiled. "Well, thank you for the interference, but I could've handled them," she remarked.
He let out a bark-like laugh. "I'm sure you could have," Sirius conceded. "But my cousin Narcissa isn't someone you want to mess with," he added seriously. "She may not be as mad as her sister Bellatrix, but the Slytherin goons she hangs out with are. You don't want to get on their bad side unless you're prepared to be looking over you shoulder until they graduate."
Violet nodded. "Fair enough. Thanks," she added sincerely.
Sirius smiled brightly. "Don't mention it. Now come on, I promised I'd save you a seat, didn't I?" he questioned, nodding to the compartment on the end.
Violet chuckled and followed him inside, where three other boys were seated and playing a game Lily had told her about called Exploding Snap.
"Hey guys, this is Violet," Sirius introduced. The boys looked up and all muttered a 'hello'. "Violet, these are my friends, James Potter," he started, pointing to the boy with messy black hair and glasses. "Remus Lupin," Sirius continued, pointing out the almost sickly looking boy with light brown hair. "And Peter Pettigrew," he finished, pointing to the last little pudgy mousy haired boy.
"Wanna play?" Remus offered, motioning to the game.
Violet looked hesitant. "Well, I've never played before," she said slowly.
"That settles it, come on, you're playing," James said with finality.
Violet smiled as she and Sirius sat down and joined in on the game.
-0-
"There you are," Lily sighed when she found Violet.
"Oh, hey sis," Violet replied lightly, looking up from her conversation with James.
"Hey there Evans, I was just explaining to Violet here about the wonderful game of Quidditch," James told Lily cheerfully.
Lily rolled her eyes. "Of course you are," she muttered. "Violet, I warned you about these boys," she said tiredly to her sister.
"They're not that bad, Lil," Violet retorted.
"Yeah," chorused James and Sirius, with Peter not far behind. Remus merely smirked.
"You're bullies," Lily stated pointedly to James and Sirius.
"Are not," they shot back defensively.
Lily raised her eyebrows, but at that moment Snape walked in.
"I see you found her," he said slowly to Lily, not failing to notice who else was in the compartment.
"Hey Severus," Violet greeted. Snape inclined his head in reply.
"Look, it's Snivelly," James teased. "Gonna learn to use shampoo this year?" he asked, sounding totally serious yet lighthearted.
Snape scowled and went for his wand, but James and Sirius went for theirs as well.
Lily grabbed Snape's arm and told him, "They're not worth it." Snape grudgingly nodded, and slid his wand back into his pocket, the other boys following suit slowly. "Come on, let's get out of here," Lily said, throwing a dirty look at James before she turned to follow Snape out of the compartment. But when she realized Violet wasn't following, Lily turned back to her sister. "Aren't you coming?" she questioned confusedly.
Violet shook her head. Lily looked like she wanted to plead with her sister to leave, but seemed to know it was a losing fight and simply walked out behind Snape.
"So Lily's your sister?" Remus asked Violet.
Violet nodded. "One of 'em."
"How many more do you have?" Peter asked worriedly, his small eyes widening.
Violet chuckled. "Don't worry, I only have two sisters. Both older, but the other's not a witch," she assured him.
"So how do you know Snivellus?" James questioned.
"You mean Severus?" Violet replied, her eyebrows raised, giving James a pointed look.
James sighed, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, Snape," he corrected.
"Well, he doesn't live too far from us, and he and Lily have been friends for years," Violet answered with a slight shrug.
"So you have to put up with Snivellus all the time?" Sirius asked incredulously. "Sorry, Snape," he corrected after Violet gave him the same look she'd given James.
"Not really," she told him. "He doesn't come around the family very much because Petunia would have a fit."
"Well, I wouldn't, if you have a choice, he's a slimy git," Sirius said. James and Peter nodded in agreement. Even Remus gave a half-shrug.
Violet chuckled. "Funny, he and Lily said the same thing about you guys," she retorted. "Minus the slimy part."
She smirked, and the boys all looked at each other and back at her before they all burst into fits of laughter.
-0-
"See ya at the feast Violet," Sirius waved as they were parting ways, Violet to the boats and the four boys to the carriages. Remus and Peter waved as well.
"Good luck," James called. "We could use you in Gryffindor!"
Violet laughed, but waved to the boys and made her way over to the enormous man that was calling for all of the first years to get into the boats on the edge of the lake.
As she was waiting to get into a boat, Violet noticed Regulus waiting as well. He saw her looking, but did not turn away, however. On the contrary, he sighed and walked slowly over to where she was standing.
"I suppose it wouldn't kill us to share a boat," he said airily, but his tone was strained.
Violet smirked. "Don't know anyone else your own age either, huh?"
The black-haired boy looked slightly taken aback, but, though he opened and closed his mouth a couple times, he didn't say anything, merely shook his head in confirmation.
"Well then, I guess we'll have to stick together," Violet stated lightly, holding out her hand as a peace offering.
Regulus looked at her hand for a moment, but did not shake it. However, he did give her the slightest of nods before climbing into one of the boats.
Violet half-nodded, shrugging one shoulder, she knew that was probably the best she was going to get from this boy, and proceeded to climb into the boat after the younger Black.
-0-
As the first years filed into the Great Hall, Violet couldn't help but be amazed by the castle, it was more magnificent than Lily had described. She found her sister, and Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter, at one of the long tables, and saw Snape, along with Narcissa and her friends, at another on the other side of the hall. One side-glance at Regulus, and Violet noticed him glancing back and forth between the two tables.
"Good luck," she whispered, so that only he would hear.
"Why would I need luck?" he replied arrogantly.
"Because, despite how badly your family would take it, part of you still wants to be with your brother," Violet whispered simply. Regulus just stared at her. "I have two older sisters who are polar opposites, I get it," she told him honestly.
Regulus swallowed, but gave a slight nod as Professor McGonagall called, "Black, Regulus!"
Regulus walked up and sat on the stool as coolly and calm as could be, but even as Professor McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on his head, Violet noticed him give the slightest glance over at his brother at the Gryffindor table. Violet crossed her fingers discreetly.
After a few moments of deliberation, the hat shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"
Violet sighed as the Slytherins cheered, and Regulus calmly walked over and joined the table, sitting next to his cousin. Violet followed his gaze, however, and saw Sirius at the Gryffindor table, a barely noticeable look of slight disappointment covering his features.
After several other first years were sorted into their respective houses, Professor McGonagall finally called, "Evans, Violet!"
As Violet walked up and sat on the stool, she glanced over at her sister, and Sirius, James, Remus, and Peter, at the Gryffindor table, and then over at Regulus at the Slytherin table. She took a deep breath as she felt Professor McGonagall setting the Sorting Hat on her head.
"Ah...another Evans, I remember sorting your sister last year," the hat said, but Violet realized it was only talking to her, that no one else could hear it. "Well, I know where to put you. But wait...what's this? Loyalty to someone in Slytherin..." Violet swallowed. "Well, I still know where you belong...GRYFFINDOR!"
Violet jumped down from the stool, and went over to join the cheering Gryffindor table, sitting down between her sister and Remus. However, she cast a quick glance over at Regulus at the Slytherin table. He looked back, and she could have sworn she saw his mouth twitch upwards.
"Congratulations," Lily told her sister.
"Thanks, Lil," Violet smiled back.
"Knew you'd be in Gryffindor," James commented confidently. Violet chuckled, but still smiled. "Well, I did," he shrugged.
"Sure," Sirius muttered sarcastically. James gave him a slight shove. "Welcome to Gryffindor," Sirius told her happily.
"Thanks," Violet replied with a grin.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed this little story. I dunno when I'll post the chapter fic, I've started on it, but I may wait until it's finished before I post anything. As always, reviews are greatly appreciated!