Standard disclaimer applies. See chapter one for details.

'thoughts' "talk"

Severus and Lily were both getting their wands from Ollivander's Wand Shop, where Raven could swear, Mr. Ollivander keep looking out the cloudy window at her. Shaking her head lightly she turned away and moved to lean lightly against the wall by the door. Tugging up the hem of her pant leg she glared at the light pink stain that had bloomed there, luckily though, the stain had stopped growing. Roughly dropping the hem, she straightened and crossed her arms. Looking through the curtain of her hair, she watched as the many people that were crowding the ally moved along, catching glimpses of children that seemed to be around her own age, and many older ones that seemed like students as well. Tilting her head off to the side and glancing down the road she blinked, her eyes having caught those of another.

Bright silver-gray orbs that glinted with sadness-tainted mischief locked on to her own wary green-blue eyes. The boy, though it was a little difficult to tell, was dressed in a strange – robe? Odd - who seemed to be Raven's own age, with thick wavy black hair that hung to his shoulders. The boy wandered closer, an impish smile tugging the corners of his – surprisingly for his age – full mouth. Raven glanced back at the dirty windows of Ollivander's shop to see that everyone was very much occupied with Lily and Severus' trying of different wands. Pushing away from the wall, she winced slightly at the sharp twinge from her leg. Catching curious silver-gray eyes, she gave a slight nod off to the side to where a small ally opened up to the street. There were, of course less people there. Mostly though, there was a crate that Raven really wanted to sit down on.

"- happen to you?" a young male voice sounded off close behind her. Raven spun around, the silver-eyed boy had gotten quickly behind her without her knowing. "What?"

"You were limping and just now, when you turned, you stumbled. So, what happened to you? Did you hurt your leg or something?" The boy cocked his head, kind of like a puppy. Raven shook her head and carefully lowered herself down to sit, shifting to get comfortable she relaxed her legs, sighing when the leave of tension caused a flare of pain. Leaning against the wall, she tilted her head back to look at him.

"Well?" the boy crossed his arms, a pout forming, as he grew more and more impatient at Ravens slow movements.

"It's nothing. I fell" a dismissive snort met her ears.

"Yeah right." Raven raised her lids and turned her tired greenish-blue eyes to him. He was about her height, when she stood straight (a bit taller than Lily and Severus). His hair was thick falling just past his shoulders in heavy black waves and while. – weedy? gangly? – something like that anyway, he still managed to have an aristocratic attractiveness, along with the arrogance that tends to go along with it. As he aged he would easy become extremely handsome, the desire of many women.

"You don't believe me?" Raven gave a small cough, swallowing back the iron-copper taste at the back of her mouth.

"That's right, I don't." the boys arms were folded across his chest, trying his level best to appear disinterested but was unable to hide the curiosity lighting his eyes. "I mean, I recognized wha-.." his jaw snapped shut as if to bite the words back, teeth clenching to make a barrier. Raven simply stared back

"What's your name?" leaning forward Raven rested her elbows on her knees, letting her hands hang loosely between them. Sitting heavily on the hard wooden crate, she peered up at the boy through her lashes – and the hair that had shifted to cover her down turned face. Lifting her arm to brush it back she clamped her teeth down on the inside of her cheek to make sure her face showed no pain while her shoulder irritably reminded her that it had been twisted only the day before.

"Black, Sir-"

"Sirius Orion Black!"

The boy – Sirius – cringed at the shrill voice before his face smoothed out and adopted an innocent expression. At the mouth of the ally, not three feet away, stood a woman. Not a wholly unattractive one, she was more striking than beautiful and sharing many of the same features as Sirius. Thick black hair twisted up in an elegant up-do, red painted sneering lips, blue-gray eyes narrowed in anger, flush tinting pale cheekbones, think boned and wearing a black and emerald gown of expensive fabrics. There was also a boy with her, half hidden behind her skirts and looked to be about a year younger then Sirius.

"How dare you run off like that you insolent little brat?!" fists balled tightly on her hips, she glared down at the eleven year old.

"I'm sorry Mother. I believed I saw someone interesting and thought it best to introduce myself. Mother may I present Ms..."

"- Raven!"

Raven stood quickly and slipped around the older women. Looking up the street she watched Lily spin in a circle looking excited but worried. Turning back to the family behind her, she spoke softly,

"I have to go. Perhaps we will see each other again. Excuse me." With a short bow to the women, the girl hurried off.

Getting behind Lily Raven caught Severus' eye and singled him to be quite before tapping the fire haired girl on the head. Hearing Lily squeal and tuning out her scolding as the group moved off to collect the rest of the supplies, Raven smirked. Glancing back over her shoulder at the family, she noticed Sirius watching her as he ignored his mothers angry lecturing. Pushing Severus past the apothecary, Raven half smiled at him. Her last sight of him was seeing his own mouth curl up has he grinned back.

With all the shopping finally done and the two families back home at last Raven decided to stick to tradition and walk Severus home. Handing off the bag she was holding to Lily, she looked up at Mrs. Evens.

"May I come to supper Ms Rose?"

Mrs. Evens smiled at the girl, "Of course, dear! You know you're always welcome at our home." Her smile widened at the small content curl on the grim girls mouth and her daughters joyful shout.

"I'll be right back Poppet" Raven tugged gently at some of the small girl's hair before she turned and grabbed a few bags from Mrs. Snape's hands.

"Do you mind Ms Ellen?"

The lovely dark haired women shook her head and turned to lead the way. As they walked in calm silence, Raven stood close to Severus, brushing her shoulder to his at times. In two weeks, it would be September first and Poppet and Sev would be leaving. Glancing at the lank-haired boy Raven nodded to herself and, moving one of the packages to her other and, she threaded their arms together, smirking slightly when he jumped. Her eyes softened as he tightened his hold and pressed his side to hers.

"You're strong Sev. I have faith." Raven murmured.

Severus started and opened his mouth to speak but instead shut it and gave a low hum in response. Taking his arm back, he slipped it around her waist and tightened his hold, keeping them together for the rest of the walk. When the Snape's were home and farewells given, Raven stood a moment looking quietly at the door. Although Tobias Snape was not a good example of a good father or man he was much… kinder, then her own father. Finally satisfied with the silence of the house Raven turned and trekked back to the Evens household. Raven knew though that it wasn't going to just be like the other nights she went to Lily's to eat, where she felt like part of the family and maybe even convinced Ms Rose to part with another recipe. With a stone of loneliness growing in her gut, Raven knew she would be spending many nights beside her dear poppet. Raven had already begun to dread the fall and miss her beloved friends.

A NEW CHAPTER!

I'm really sorry about the long wait and the fact that the chapter is short. I have a job now (well, two really) and I've been able to write a little. typing it out is tiring tough...

I hope nobody is two disappointed in my choice of meeting.