Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or anything affiliated with it. Any characters, items, places, etc. that you recognize belong to J.K. Rowling. Everything else is a figment of my own whacky imagination.
Come What May: A Story of Realizing the Inevitable
Chapter Two: Gossiping Girls and Ambiguous Insight
Holly spent her first night at Hogwarts rather comfortably. Her room was cozy and her roommates (Lily, Rosaline, Elaina, Megan Proctor, and Catherine Fischer) were all sociable. Holly especially liked Lily and Rosaline; they reminded her of friends she'd roomed with while at Beauxbatons.
Lily was studious and intelligent, and Holly respected that. She was somewhat of a bookworm herself and studied hard to earn her marks. Holly could see the two of them spending a large amount of time together in the library and common room working in the future.
Rosaline on the other hand was athletically driven. She was a Chaser on the House Quidditch team--the only girl who'd managed to remain on the team since her first year--and co-captain with Seeker James Potter. She moved with speed and grace, whether walking or flying, and seemed to have a competitive attitude which didn't allow her to back down from anything. As a child Holly had learned to play Quidditch and had developed quite a talent for catching the Snitch but she had never played for a school team, instead occupying herself with her studies.
The five Hogwarts veterans had many questions for Holly concerning her school, her former home, her father's job, and of course, French boys. She answered them enthusiastically, speaking as lovingly of Beauxbatons as her new friends did of Hogwarts. The school had become a home to them all.
"Beauxbatons is such a beautiful place. You can just feel the magic pulsing through every stone. The instructors are extremely qualified and I'd say they're all a good deal younger than the professors I've seen here so far. Hogwarts seems nice though." Holly said fondly.
"It is, it's marvelous, really. I'd always thought magic was just made up. It all sounded like something from a fairy tale. But when I came here I could just feel it was right. I had to be a part of it. It all seemed like a dream that I didn't want to wake up from." Lily sighed. "My parents were proud, but my sister…oh she hated it. I wasn't 'Normal.'" She laughed.
"I know how that feels. I was used to magic; my parents were Aurors. Then there was the attack on the Ministry when we were all about eight…" Elaina trailed off sadly.
Holly looked around at the other girls' faces. They were all solemn. Holly knew the Wizarding World was under the threat of a brewing war, but she hadn't had any experiences with anyone closely tied to the war. The attacks had taken place mostly in England while she had been safely living in France.
Elaina continued, "They were both killed and I went into the foster care system."
She smiled glumly at Holly and went on to explain how when she'd received her Hogwarts letter her Muggle foster parents had become afraid of her. Unable to accept their foster child's magical heritage, the couple sent Elaina to school and moved away while she was gone. Since then Elaina had moved in with Megan but still regarded Hogwarts as her true home.
"Some day I'd really love to be a professor here. I'd love to stay for years and years until I'm a grumpy old witch who can't even hear her students anymore!" she laughed and the other girls joined.
Catherine pulled a pillow into her lap and grinned slyly at Holly, "So tell us about these French lads at Beauxbatons…"
Her memory jarred, Holly skillfully changed topics. "No, I've done enough story-telling." She turned and smiled at Lily. "Tell me about Sirius Black."
Megan and Elaina giggled loudly at the mention of the name; Catherine hugged the pillow tighter and Rosaline smiled.
Holly looked up at Lily, who had risen from her seat on the bed across the room. Holly patted the spot next to her, "Come on now, you told me later and I think," she glanced at the clock, "11:45 is later."
Lily shook her head, "I think 11:45 is time for bed. Good night girls." And with that she climbed into her four-poster and drew the curtains around her.
"Spoil sport."
Megan leaned close, her eyes glimmering naughtily, "I can tell you about Sirius Black."
Holly shrugged, "That's fine. I spoke with him a bit earlier and he seemed intriguing. Lily just refuses to speak of him."
"Well that's just because the only boy she's ever got on her mind is James Potter," Rosaline interjected, saying the last two words more loudly than the others.
A snort of indignation came from the curtained bed. The other girls laughed and Megan continued.
"Okay, so you want to know about Sirius? Well he's your typical tall-dark-and-handsome type. Probably dated most of the girls in our year in all four Houses."
"And some a year or two below us." Catherine added knowingly, her face animated.
"That's right. So let me guess, he's after you already? Sounds about his style," questioned Megan.
Holly reddened, "Perhaps. He gave me the impression that he was trying to flirt, and he made Remus pretty upset…"
"Oh Remus is a doll. He's probably already in the know of what Sirius is up to."
Elaina nodded and grinned dreamily, "He's a sweetheart. I think he's better looking than Sirius and James both."
Holly wrinkled her nose and Rosaline giggled, "Well that's because you've never seen either of them change clothes."
Four pairs of wide eyes turned to Rosaline.
"You can't possibly mean you have. How'd you manage that?!"
"Well there is only one locker room for Quidditch…it's kind of supposed to be common courtesy to avert your eyes. I just don't believe in those sort of social graces." Her eyes twinkled.
"Lucky."
A fit of giggles.
Holly tilted her head to the side, "So James and Sirius both play Quidditch?"
"Yeah," Rosaline said, "James is the best Seeker I've ever seen, and Sirius is a ruthless Beater. We haven't lost the Cup yet since those two made the team. Hardly a Bludger has ever come close to James with Sirius constantly hovering around. And all those long practices swinging a club around really works his arms and shoulders!"
Another spell of laughter.
"Girls, that's enough gossiping. First day of class tomorrow, time for--" but the rest of Lily's words were caught in a yawn.
Megan nodded, "We can talk more at breakfast. Lily's right, good night girls."
The girls crawled off Holly's bed and retreated to their own. Holly drew the curtains around her and curled into a ball under the covers. As she drifted off to sleep her imagination wandered to a certain individual in his boxers. Holly giggled to herself and finally managed to push the thought from her mind.
---
The Marauders bounded down the stairs towards the Great Hall for breakfast, James in the lead. Peter trailed behind his longer-legged friends as usual, calling for the others to wait up. Remus slowed a bit but Sirius and James continued to race each other. The first helping of pancakes depended on who was the fastest.
Sirius slid across the marble floor at the entrance of the Great Hall, barely nudging ahead of James. Seeing his chance, James slung Sirius by the neck of his robes into a group of Ravenclaw third-years. Potter flopped down onto the bench at the Gryffindor table and piled his plate high with hot pancakes.
"Victory!" he shouted as he dumped syrup on the flapjacks.
Remus sat across from him and Peter slumped into the seat next to Remus.
"Where's Sirius?" Peter asked as James lifted the first bite to his mouth.
"Right here!" the forkful of breakfast food was snatched from James' grasp and quickly shoveled into Sirius' mouth.
James narrowed his eyes and was rewarded with a smack on the back of the head. Sirius dropped the fork onto James' lap.
"Don't pull any dirty tricks next time, Prongs. You can't cheat a fellow Marauder without getting your just desserts." Sirius grinned in a self-satisfied manner and shoved James a little in order to sit down.
"You're a prat."
"And don't you forget it."
Remus chuckled and spooned a helping of eggs onto his plate. Sirius pulled out a roll of parchment and spread it on the table in front of him.
"Let's see what we've got here…alright, first is Divination."
"What did you take a useless class like that for? It's nothing but a bunch of mushy tea leaves and stinking incense." Remus said contemptuously.
"I dunno," Sirius shrugged, "None of the other choices sounded interesting. What'd you take, Arithmancy?"
"Ancient Runes."
"That's right, you've already taken advanced Arithmancy. What about you James?"
James checked his own schedule. "I've got Transfiguration first."
"Me too," Peter added.
Sirius nodded, "Second is double Potions with Slytherin--
"Bloody hell, that never fails!" James said around a mouthful of food, spraying bits of mush at Remus and Peter. Peter wrinkled his nose and brushed the crumbs off his robes. "Oh here, I got it. Scourgify."
Peter's robes erupted in foam and bubbles at James' command. The poor boy tried to swat the bubbles away but only succeeded in spattering Remus and his eggs with them. James laughed and nearly choked on his food. Sirius ignored his friends and continued to look over his schedule.
A roar of laughter drew the boys' attention to the far end of the table. Gryffindor's seventh year girls sat huddled together talking excitedly. Sirius smiled and began to rise but James hauled him back into his seat.
"Not now, Padfoot, you'll only make an ass of yourself."
Sirius wrenched his arm from James' grasp, picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder.
"I was just getting ready to head to class, that's all." He turned on his heel and bumped into Jason Huels, a seventh year Slytherin. Jason was accompanied by Darell Knott and Severus Snape. Snape sneered at Sirius who returned the greeting.
"Watch where you're going, Black." drawled Huels. "You've got a nasty habit of getting in people's ways."
James growled from his seat but Sirius raised a hand to stop him from retorting.
He smiled at Jason, "Don't you have some first years to bully? Some Christmas money to steal maybe?"
Huels didn't pause, "Your cousin Bella tells me that you've run off from home. Daddy's rage get to be a bit much for the little rebel?" His eyes flashed. "What a shame. Just when the stories were getting interesting."
Without hesitation Sirius' wand found it's way to Jason's face. The other didn't flinch, but instead smiled viciously.
"Touchy subject?"
"Sirius!" A pair of small, delicate hands seized Sirius by the arm. "What's going on?"
He looked down at Holly who was peering up at him worriedly. She, like many surrounding students, had noticed the argument brewing, and had come to investigate.
Snape turned his nose up at the tiny girl at Sirius' side, "Filthy half-blood…"
"What?" Holly's attention turned to the greasy-haired boy. She felt Sirius tense further. By now James and Remus both were on their feet. Professors were starting to notice the small dispute and head for the group of boys. "What did you call me?" Holly asked Snape dubiously.
Huels interjected, "Learn your place and don't speak to your superiors." He turned and walked briskly away, Knott following at his heels. Holly stared after them and Snape lingered for one last crack at the puzzled girl.
"Your family is full of garbage like you. Half-breeds and monsters," his eyes shifted to Remus who fixed him with a fierce stare.
Sirius lunged forward and with his free hand landed and clean blow on Snape's jaw. The Slytherin's head jerked sideways and spittle flew from his mouth. He staggered backwards a few steps. When he regained his balance he instinctually brought his wand to shoulder height. The professors were closing in as James latched onto Sirius to restrain him. Remus clambered over the table, scattering food and dishes in the process. He placed himself between the quarreling boys but Snape shot a hex over his shoulder.
"Sectumsempra!"
Peter shouted shrilly, "Look out!"
Remus conjured a shield quickly enough to keep his friends from being slashed, but the force of the blow sent James and Sirius reeling. They both flew backwards onto the floor, knocking Holly sideways onto a gathering group of spectators. Professor McGonagall had reached the group, closely followed by the Ravenclaw head of House, Professor Quigley. Remus helped Holly to her feet as James and Sirius picked themselves up off the floor. Quigley placed a hand on Snape's shoulder but Snape pulled away, wiping a prick of blood from his lip with his sleeve. McGonagall's face reddened with vehemence.
"One day into the school year and you boys are already fighting?!" she bellowed. "Come with me." She grabbed Snape and Sirius both by the sleeve and lead them away.
James readjusted his glasses and looked to Remus, "He gets more sadistic every year. I really think he meant to hurt Sirius with that."
"No," Remus shook his head, "He wouldn't be that reckless."
"Wouldn't he?" Suspicious.
Remus paused thoughtfully, "Only if…something's changed…" he trailed off meaningfully.
Holly watched the boys debate back and forth, finally butting in, "Would someone mind telling me who that was and how he knew about my mother and your…condition."
James frowned, looking over Holly's head to the doorway as if he expected Sirius to return, penalty-free. "That was Severus Snape. He's from one of the oldest and most prestigious, pure-blooded families in the Wizarding World. People like that make it their business to know about everyone. He takes special pleasure in snubbing people who aren't as 'pure' as he is."
"Or anyone, for that matter." Peter added. Remus nodded.
"He and Sirius have always had an exceptional dislike for each other."
"Not that any of us like him much better," muttered James.
Holly's brow crinkled as Professor Quigley waved his arms, shooing students off to class.
"Alright, show's over. Move along, you'll be late."
Lily appeared at Holly's shoulder, "Come one, we'd better get going. You've got Divination first so I'll walk you part way there, but then I've got to get to Charms class." Lily rushed her friend out of the Great Hall.
"Good luck, Holly." Remus called after his cousin.
Holly waved and smiled as Remus, James, and Peter faded into the mass of students hurrying to class.
---
Finally reaching the top of the silver ladder, Holly heaved herself through the trapdoor and into a stuffy room that reminded her of the attic in her grandparents' home in Dunkerque. She walked through a small space between bookshelves that lead her to an opening in which a number of small, low tables were crowded. Large pillows sat on the floor to serve as seats. Glancing around Holly could see an assortment of tea cups arranged in a glass cabinet, about twenty crystal balls stacked in a pyramid in the corner of the room, and a number of tall candelabras with stubs of candles in their ornamental holders. Everything was coated with a thin layer of dust. Even the purring tabby in the corner armchair was flecked with gray that enabled it to blend with its surroundings. Holly took a deep breath of the stale air and closed her eyes. This place helped her summon up memories of her early childhood when her mother would practice Divining rituals, drawing the thick curtains in their parlor and burning incense while trying to discern Ouija.
She seated herself at one of the tables closer to the empty fireplace, sinking into the purple cushion as other students filed into the room. Their professor was nowhere to be seen and the students sat around talking in hushed voices. One by one the tables filled until only the emerald cushion opposite Holly was left vacant. Holly shrugged to herself, accepting the fact that she would at least be temporarily without a companion.
"Maybe the cat will cozy up to me…" she sighed as a bag was slammed onto the floor on the other side of the table. Someone landed heavily on the green cushion, folded their arms on the table, and laid their head down with an agitated groan.
Holly bit her lip, then ventured to question the newcomer.
"Uhm, hello?" She offered.
Her 'partner' raised his head to reveal clear blue eyes that shone under the curtain of ebony hair. He sat up quickly, a surprised look playing about his features.
"Holly? I didn't know you would be taking this class. Remus told us you were already an expert Diviner."
Holly grinned weakly, "Well I'm no expert. I just kind of have a knack for it I guess. My mother did too."
Her eyes locked with Sirius' and he smiled genuinely. His expression was infectious and Holly found herself smiling back willingly. A POOF! from the fireplace startled both of them as a fire crackled suddenly, lending light to the entire classroom. A figure who no one had noticed before stepped from the shadows in the back of the room, startling a group of girls at the far table.
She wore deep blue robes with silver moons patterned on them. Her hair was black with fine streaks of gray scattered throughout and her skin was the color of alabaster. Almond-shaped eyes glinted with the firelight and perfectly straight teeth shone in a wide smile.
"Welcome to Divination class. My name is Professor DuBois and I will be your instructor this year." She paused and surveyed the room, taking a few steps forward in order to center herself in the crowd of students. "Divination is a difficult art--yes, it is an art, not just a subject to be studied--but I will guide you in the use of your Inner Eye."
Her eyes fell on Holly and her expression changed to one of approval. She moved closer to Holly and Sirius' table.
"You have a strong aura about you, dear girl. Might you be our new student?"
Holly raised her eyebrows, "Yes, did you recognize me from the Sorting?"
"No, no," DuBois replied, smiling again, "I noticed your accent when you spoke to your friend here. I'll expect great things from you in this class."
Holly blinked up at her.
DuBois strolled away and seated herself in an armchair near the fire. The cat leapt from its previous perch and settled on it's master's lap. She stroked the feline and continued.
"In the first half of this year we will study a few of the simpler arts such as Graphology, Numerology, Oneiromancy--the study of dreams, Scrying, and Cartomancy. By our second semester we will begin more difficult arts like Ailuromancy using my cat here, Palmistry, and Pyroscopy."
Holly spared a momentary look to Sirius and had to stifle a giggle when she saw his jaw hanging slack. Obviously he hadn't known what he was getting into when he chose the class.
"This is gonna be a rough year…" Holly heard him mutter and couldn't help but grin.
DuBois produced a wand for seemingly nowhere and summoned a multitude of decks of cards, "I thought we'd start the year off with a bit of fun." She sent a deck of cards to each table and instructed the students to shuffle them. "Today we'll all try our hands at Tarot reading. Get out your textbooks and deal the cards for your partner."
Sirius heaved a sigh and pulled out a thick, purple-bound tome and dropped it onto the table with a thud. Holly smiled and handed him the deck of Tarot cards.
"Here, you go first."
Sirius accepted the cards and smiled sarcastically, "Oh thank you, I'm dying to try this."
Holly giggled girlishly which seemed to ease Sirius. "It's not that hard. Just shuffle first--there you go--then let me cut the deck. Okay, now deal four cards, don't turn them around, it depends on which way they face. Now arrange them in a diamond. Good."
Sirius laughed, "Why are you taking this class? I'll wager you already know how to do everything Professor DuBois listed."
"A lot of it, but some things I've only read about."
"Ah, so you're a bookworm like Remus?" he smiled. "Alright, Professor Lupin, let's see what your future holds…" He surveyed the cards, matching each to it's section in the textbook. "Let's see, you've got a Magician here…and it's right side up, so that means you have a strong ability to see beyond the ordinary physical world. No kidding…uhm, here's a High Priestess which means you'll be enlightened through mistakes. That one's Temperance meaning you're out of balance…but at harmony?"
"Not quite," Holly laughed, "You started out well but I think you confused yourself along the way."
"Happens to the best of us." He crossed his arms behind his head and grinning lopsidedly. He scratched his head, then picked up the cards and held them out to Holly. "Here. Enlighten me."
Holly reached out to take the cards from her cousin's friend. Her fingers brushed his and with the contact her mind exploded with images and voices.
Blue flash.
Searing pain as ribs shattered.
Eyes glowed crimson in close proximity to her face.
Holly jumped, startled. Sirius was looking at her with concern.
"Are you alright?"
She swallowed hard, replying shakily, "I-I think so."
"Sure?"
She managed a feeble smile, "Yeah. Here, it's my turn."
"Okay." Sirius' eyes didn't leave her face as she shuffled the deck, cut the cards, and dealt the spread.
"First is the Emperor. In this position he means you have wisdom and power. It also means you value the female partner of your choice."
A Ravenclaw girl at the next table laughed sardonically. Sirius rolled his eyes and sighed, Holly continued, biting back a smile.
"This one," she tapped a card depicting a woman with a sword in one hand and a scale in the other, "is Justice. She says that you're being judged, but that you balance passion with honor, so you will pass the judgment and be successful." Sirius puffed up proudly as Holly moved onto the next card. "He's the hanged man, which symbolizes self-sacrifice. And here," her eyes shifted to the fourth card for the first time and she inhaled sharply.
Sirius glanced down, finally taking his eyes off Holly, "Death."
Holly put a finger to the card and her mind jolted away from the present again.
A child was screaming, "Leave us alone!"
High-pitched laughter--a woman.
"Your cousin's told me all about you…" a smooth voice.
She struggled to keep a calm voice, her vision still swimming with images, "It's a warning. You have to pay careful attention to your life, especially those close to you." She couldn't see Sirius but she felt his firm grip on her arms.
White flash.
Sirius stood in what looked like a cavernous hospital room facing away from an occupied bed, his head hanging sadly. The right sleeve of his robes torn almost completely off. Holly stood between Sirius and the bed. She reached out to touch his shoulder, the back of which was bleeding badly.
"That can be healed, Sirius."
Sirius whirled around, tears in his eyes, "Leave it!"
"You're going to lose someone. Someone you were once close with…" she slumped, exhausted from her visions. When her head cleared she could still feel Sirius holding onto her arms, and she heard him calling her name.
"Holly! Snap out of it! Come back to me, Holly. Come on!" he shook her gently.
She looked around bewildered and saw Professor DuBois was standing over her, watching her calmly. Holly shook her head to rid herself of the disturbing images she'd seen and DuBois smiled.
"See something, dear? Your aura, which was already particularly strong, flared to incredible brightness for a few moments."
Sirius looked from Holly to DuBois, "What does that mean?"
"It means," DuBois studied Holly prudently, "that she was looking into the shrouded mystery of the future. Very advanced for one so young."
Students were whispering to each other. Holly realized she was twisting her hair--a nervous habit--and quickly tore her hand away.
DuBois looked to the class, raising a long-fingered hand to her temple, "You should begin packing your things, class is over. I look forward to seeing you all again. For your homework you should keep a detailed diary of your dreams for the next two weeks. We will be using this diary not only for Oneiromancy but in analyzing handwriting using Graphology as well. Until next class, farewell." A POOF! from the fireplace, a cloud of smoke, and DuBois had disappeared.
"She sure is showy, isn't she?" a Hufflepuff boy said.
The students rose and began exiting the classroom but Holly stayed firmly seated on her cushion, staring at the table and holding her head. Sirius stood and picked up both his and Holly's schoolbags, slinging them over one shoulder. He offered her his hand.
"Come on, I'll show you to Potions."
She looked up and he smiled ineffectively. She sighed and took his hand, allowing him to pull her to her feet.
"Not too fast now, don't want you to get dizzy." He tilted his head to the side and she held her hand out for her bag. "No, I've got it."
Holly's hands went immediately to her hips and she fixed him with a harsh gaze that plainly said 'I can handle it!' He smiled down at her (the top of her head barely cleared his shoulders) and winked, then turned and walked away with both bags in tow. Holly's frown melted into a look of contentment and she sighed again and followed Sirius to the trapdoor.
-----
Author's Note: A little bit longer than the last chapter. My computer pulled a nice trick called 'blue-screen-of-death' and I lost the files I had saved. A dear friend of mine helped me to recover everything and I've tried to comb over this and replace all the paragraphs and italics that got erased or changed. If anyone finds any mistakes please notify me. Thanks for reading and look forward to CWM3 in the coming weeks.