Hello my lovely readers :) I'm super sorry it's taking me this long to update - I've been so busy!

Anyway read on and review if you have the time :)

D.V. x

SNOWY WORDS OF STEEL

The four friends sat in the warmth of the roaring fire, sipping bottles of sweet, warming butterbeer. Four wet pairs of shoes sat underneath the table, four pairs of wet feet rested close to the fire in an attempt to scare away the cold.

"Oh, I hate the snow," moaned Hermione, trying in vain to subdue her bushier-than-normal hair.

"Me too," agreed Ron, "Bloody freezing, if you ask me…" Ron was cut off by the sarcastic voice of Madam Rosmerta, just outside the pub.

"Sirius Black in Hogsmeade? And what would bring him here?" Ron's cheeks flushed pink. Hermione grinned.

"Harry Potter," came the hushed reply of Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic. Ron and Hermione threw fearful looks at Harry, Violet just stared into the dancing flames.

"Harry Potter?" exclaimed Rosmerta.

"Shh!" urged Professor McGonagall and Fudge simultaneously. The three made their way inside, Rosmerta ushered by McGonagall and the Minister, cheeks red with chill, cloaks sprinkled with snow. They hurried up a set of creaky stairs.

"Harry!" cried Hermione. Violet turned her head to her left, to find the seat next to hers now empty. The three friends watched in horror as chairs moved out the way, as if an invisible hand was moving them, which, of course, it was.

"Honestly, trust Harry to do the completely idiotic thing," moaned Hermione. Violet smiled, he's just curious, that's all. Just like his dad… Ron took a last swig of butterbeer.

"C'mon," he said, standing up and pushing his chair in. "Umm… I'll go pay and you two… umm… wait outside." He strode off towards the counter, chest puffed out, hands running through his still dripping hair. Hermione smiled after him.

"We'd best leave Ron to it."

The two girls stood up, pushed in their chairs, and reluctantly retrieved their damp shoes. As Hermione pushed open the door, Violet couldn't help but shiver as a gust of freezing air came flooding in, stinging her skin like needles. They sat on a small wooden bench, just outside the door, the warm fire still visible through the dappled glass. Hermione gazed in at the nervous Ron, standing at the counter, shaking.

"Honestly, I really don't understand boys sometimes," said Hermione, a small crease appearing between her brow. Violet smiled meekly.

"Me neither."

At that very moment, a blond-haired, grey-eyed Slytherin just happened to walk down the narrow, bustling street. Draco glanced over at the two girls sitting on the snow covered bench. She could feel Hermione glaring at him from beside her but Draco wasn't looking at Hermione. Just Violet. As she caught his eye he flashed her that crooked smile Violet had lost sleep over. She smiled back, cheeks turning a gentle pink. Hermione nudged her.

"Violet, are you okay? Your cheeks are… glowing…" Violet nodded, a smile creeping on to her face once more.

"Yes, yes," she beamed. "I'm quite alright." He… smiled at me… thought Violet cheerily. Wait… what? No way am I falling for Draco Malfoy. Definitely not. I mean he's so arrogant and selfish and foul and… and alone. Alone. Like me. A moment later Violet's train of thought was interrupted when Ron came out through the door, dripping wet, and bright red in the face.

"What happened?" asked Hermione trying to suppress a laugh. Violet couldn't help it, and burst out laughing, almost sliding off the bench completely.

"I… I was… I went up to pay and… and was talking to Rosmerta, and… and then I turned round and walked into a man carrying a tray full of bottles of butterbeer and, well…" He held out his soaked coat, smelling slightly of butterbeer. "Anyway… any sign of Harry?" Hermione shook her head solemnly.

"No," replied Violet quietly. What would happen if he knew?

That very moment the door burst open, and a trail of footprints began appearing in the snow.

"Ron, look," Hermione pointed to the trail, as Violet got to her feet.

"C'mon!" The trio ran after the footprints, dodging people and muttering apologies for their friend's behaviour.

They finally came to the edge of the forest, the ground thick with snow, the air filled with quiet sobs.

"Harry?" Violet took a step forward, but Hermione held her back. "Let me talk to him…" Violet gazed at her with such a solemn look that Hermione nodded and released her grip.

Violet walked slowly through the dense snow, and knelt down beside a rock, where the sobbing appeared to be coming from. She raised a hand, and gently pulled the Invisibility Cloak off Harry. His cheeks were damp with tears.

"Harry…" she looked up at him with her languid green eyes. "What happened?" He sniffed and looked back at Violet, eyes ablaze with anger. Oh no, thought Violet, her heart becoming heavy. He knows.

"He was their friend," said Harry softly. "And he betrayed them." Harry whipped his head up to look Violet in the eyes. "He was their friend!" His voice rang out, echoing off the nearby trees. "I hope he finds me. Because when he does, I'm gonna to be ready! When he does, I'm gonna kill him!"

"Harry…" Violet's voice trailed off. She laid a gentle hand on his arm. "Harry, I'm sorry…"

Harry stood up hastily. He shook his head, chest heaving with anger. "You don't have to be. It's Black who's gonna pay…"

He strode off, fists clenched, leaving Violet crumpled on the ground, a tear running down her delicately pale face. "Harry…" She got to her feet. "You mustn't do anything dangerous. Promise me…"

"Well, what would you do, Violet, if you came face to face with the man who is the reason your parents are dead?" He took two steps towards her, closing the space between them. "Oh wait, you wouldn't understand…" His voice was laced with malice.

"I do understand, Harry. More than you know." She gave him one last burning glare and marched back off towards Hogsmeade.

Harry's heart fell.

"Oh, and Harry?"

"Yes, sir." Harry turned round to face Professor Lupin.

"I was just wondering if you knew what's wrong with Violet? She seemed a little upset earlier is all."

"No, sir, I'm sorry to say I don't," said Harry, guiltily.

"Well, thank you anyway, Harry. Now, come on, off to bed." A smile appeared on the older man's face, washing away the usual weariness that always seemed to adorn his face.

"Night, sir."

"Yes, Harry, goodnight."

Harry walked into the Gryffindor common room. The outlines of three people were barely visible in the gentle light of the flickering fire. Two of the figures, Ron and Hermione, were seated on the sofa, creating space for Harry when then saw him enter.

"Hey, Harry," started Ron, sleepily. "C'mon and sit down." Harry sat down heavily on the sofa, exhaling loudly.

"How was it? Your lesson with Professor Lupin, I mean?" asked Hermione, critically.

"Good, eh… really good…" Harry wasn't really paying attention, and he switched his attention to the third figure.

Violet sat curled up in a plush armchair, arms wrapped round her slender legs. She was not looking back at Harry, but instead staring into the gentle flames that were licking the air.

"Violet?" asked Harry softly. She broke her gaze and turned to face Harry.

"Yes?" she replied weakly.

"I… I'm sorry about earlier… I…"

"It's okay, Harry," she smiled slightly. "You didn't know."

"Your… your Mum, yeah?" he asked awkwardly.

"Yeah, I was only one," she replied quietly.

"Same as me," added Harry softly. Violet stood up and headed towards the dormitory, pausing for a moment.

"Your parents were good people, Harry," she shot him a gentle smile.

"You… you knew my parents?" he asked, confused.

"No," she shook her head regretfully, "But my parents did. They were quite close actually."

"Why haven't I heard about them then?"

Violet shrugged her shoulders.

"I'm not sure. Your aunt seemed to like my mother. Well, goodnight." Violet headed towards the stairs.

"Night…" mumbled Harry, his mind ablaze.