Clementine tapped her foot nervously as they rode on the Hogwarts Express, headed back to Kings Cross station in London where platform 9 3/4 resided. Violet and Clementine sat side by side, the only two in their compartment of the train. The brunette stared out the window, watching the snow flurry around the beautiful landscapes. Clementine couldn't remember the last time she rode the train to or from Hogwarts. Usually when school ended she would take the short walk to Hogsmeade alone, heading straight to the ice cream parlor to be greeted by her surrogate family.
Violet placed a hand on Clementine's knee, stopping her tapping. "Are you nervous Clem?" Violet smirked, she had never seen Clementine nervous about anything. She was usually so confident and self assured, well before Azkaban at least.
"Nervous? Me? Never?" Clementine flashed Violet a winning smile. Violet looked doubtfully at her girlfriend, staring her down, refusing to break eye contact until Clementine cracked. The Gryffindor girl threw her hands in the air in defeat. "Fine, you got me! I'm terrified to meet your family. What if your mum doesn't like me? Should I pretend to be a Slytherin? I think I'm feeling sick..." Violet put her arm around Clementine's shoulders, laughing as she pulled her into her side. Clementine huffed as she rested her head on Violet's shoulder.
"My mum is going to love you. Do not pretend to be a Slytherin, I already told them you were a Gryffindor." Violet jokingly pushed Clementine closer to the window, "If you're going to be sick, please do it away from me."
Clementine pouted dramatically and slumped into a laying position, head falling onto Violet's lap, legs on the seat facing the window. "Maybe I just need a distraction..." Clementine raised an eyebrow looking into Violet's face, eyes flitting to her lips.
"Yeah?" Violet asked, playing dumb, "What kind of distraction? We could play cards or read or-" Violet was cut off by Clementine's arm looping around her neck, pulling her in for a kiss. Violet smiled against her mouth, kissing back.
"Well what do we have here?!" Louis slammed the compartment door opened. Violet quickly sat back up in her seat, effectively ending the kiss, leaving Clementine glowering at Louis as he casually strolled in, pushing Clementine's legs off the seat so he could sit next to her. "Am I interrupting something?"
"Yes." Clementine growled, Violet blushed, as James and several Gryffindors came in to join them. Sighing, Clementine sat up in her seat, scooting closer to Violet and clasping her hand. The two met each other's eyes, Clementine winked, earning a smile from the blonde before they both joined in the conversations with those around them.
The compartment was filled with laughter and cheerful chatting. Clementine looked around at all of her friends, excited to be with them and not still at the castle, sitting in the dark common room alone. She leaned into Violet, smiling at her girlfriend, grateful she had met her at the quidditch practice that day. Not sure how the year would have turned out without the blonde haired girl sitting next to her and not wanting to find out.
Violet felt Clementine's eyes on her and turned to look into the amber eyes that were trained on her. "What?" Violet asked, "is something on my face?"
"Only my lips." Clementine whispered, leaning in to peck Violet on the cheek.
"Smoooooth!" Louis yelled, having overheard, elbowing Clementine and drawing everyone's attention to her now red cheeks.
Louis stood up, "Guys, guys, you gotta hear what Clem just did."
"Shut up!" Clementine grabbed him around the waist in an attempt to pull him back into his seat as he laughed.
Louis continued to stand, unaffected by Clementine's attempts, "Okay, stand up James, you're going to be Violet alright and I'm-I'm going to be Clem."
"Please Lou!" Clementine jumped up and put her hand over his mouth attempting to shut him up as everyone stood around confused but laughing. In the midst of the confusion the compartment door opened, revealing the trolley witch offering snacks and treats to purchase. Louis immediately dropped his reinactment and ran to purchase food, several other kids in the compartment got up as well.
Clementine's eyes lit up at the colorful assortment of treats, "Do you want anything?" Violet asked, seeing her girlfriend light up in excitement. Clementine felt her pocket where a handful of sickels resided, all the money that she had to her name was in that pocket.
"Uh... no... I'm not hungry." Clementine's face fell slightly, but she held the smile on her face as Violet studied her for a second, the blonde nodded to herself as she stood up and walked to the cart. Clementine stared questioningly after her, eyes wide when Violet came back and dropped a pile of treats into the brunette's lap.
Violet sat down in her seat smiling at the shocked expression on Clementine's face. "I didn't know what you wanted, so I got one of everything."
"But Vi... you didn't have to do that..." Clementine stared in awe at her generous girlfriend.
"Clem, after everything you've done for me, this is nothing."
" You've done more for me," Clementine insisted as Violet shook her head, "but thank you so much." She hugged Violet quickly before rubbing her hands together greedily, trying to decide what to devour first. Finally deciding on a chocolate cauldron, breaking it in half and holding one piece out to Violet. "We'll share, here."
Violet rolled her eyes at Clementine's generosity, unable to accept something nice without trying to give back. She took the treat and stuck it in her mouth, smiling as Clementine continued to debate on what order to eat everything she was holding.
Hours later they arrived at the train station. Everyone had changed out of their Hogwarts uniforms and into their muggle clothes. Clementine was tapping her foot again as the train came to a stop. Violet once again placed a hand on her knee. She leaned in close to whisper in Clementine's ear, "It's going to be okay. My family is going to love you."
Clementine gave Violet a tight lipped smile, her insides in tangles as they stood up and grabbed their trunks. Everyone flooded off the train, reuniting with parents and loved ones. Violet stepped off as well, Clementine walking a step behind, Gryffindor scarf still wrapped around her neck despite her muggle attire. The wind was chilly in the train station as the girls looked around the crowd of people, trying to find Violet's mother.
Clementine's gaze halted on someone she recognized, a person that seeing now caused her to shake uncontrollably. Violet was still scanning faces, only noticing that something was wrong when the brunette's trembling hand grabbed the back of her coat.
"We have to go... I need to go..." Clementine spoke, her voice low and frightened sounding, cowering behind Violet like a scared child.
"What is it Clem?" Violet asked, concern shining in her voice, craning her neck to look at her girlfriend before glancing at the crowd and catching sight of a figure, now striding towards them purposefully. Violet's eyes grew wide and she threw a protective arm out, drawing her wand and holding it cautiously at her side, ready to use if necessary.
"Clementine?" the voice said hesitantly as the girl now stepped in front of Violet, accepting what was to come. Completely unprepared as arms wrapped around her, hugging her tight, the face sobbing into her hair. "I'm so sorry, for everything Clem. I should never have acted the way I did, I know none of it was your fault now."
Clementine hugged the mustached man back, as tears began to fill her eyes as well. "It's okay Kenny... you were hurting."
"That's no excuse!" he chastised himself, "I'll make it up to you somehow, but for now, I just want you to know how sorry I am... for the howler... for hurtin' you... you didn't deserve any of it and I... I'm ashamed of myself..."
"What are you doing here Kenny?" Clementine asked as they pulled apart.
"I started drivin' here without thinkin'. I had already arrived when I realized that I was comin' to... comin' to get Duck..." Kenny choked out, tears continuing to stream down his face. Clementine fought back tears, not wanting to be a weepy mess when she met Violet's family.
"I miss him too Kenny." Clementine stared down at the ground.
"I know darlin'." Kenny hugged her one more time, "I guess I'm goin' back home now. I'll make it up to you one day Clem... I promise... have a good Christmas."
"Thanks Kenny, you too." Clementine managed to get out as the older man walked back out of sight, rubbing at his eyes with the back of his hand.
"That was... unexpected, you alright?" Violet asked, trying to read the expression on her girlfriend's face.
"Yeah..." Clementine smiled softly at Violet, "I'm alright, let's find your mum." But Violet's mother had found them first.
"Violet!" a voice gleefully shouted, as the woman pulled the girl into an embrace. Clementine smiled as she watched them. Violet definitely favored her mother who had blonde hair as well. It was pulled into a messy bun and a few gray hairs glinted among the yellow strands. Her eyes were a light blue and she was wearing a colorful Christmas jumper that Clementine didn't think Violet would be caught dead in. "And you must be the infamous Clementine." the jovial tone in her voice made Clementine smile and blush.
"Yes, ma'am." Clementine held out her hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"So polite!" the older woman practically squealed, ignoring the hand and pulling Clementine into a hug as well. "Violet must not have told you, but none of this handshake nonsense, I'm a hugger."
Clementine hugged back, only somewhat awkwardly as her face continued to glow red. "Thank you for allowing me over for Christmas holiday Ma'am."
"Ohhhh, I like this girl already Violet." Her mother grinned, pinching Clementine on the cheek, "And please, call me Marissa."
"Yes Mrs. Marissa." Clementine said, making Violet chuckle and Marissa smile as she lead the way off the platform and to the car.
"This way ladies, everyone else is already home."
Clementine let out a nervous breath, still looking terrified over at Violet who smiled reassuringly back. Violet took her hand as they made their way to the car, ready for a calm holiday with one another.
Clementine held Violet's hand the entire car ride home, trying to make polite conversation with Marissa. As they pulled up on the house surrounded by grass and trees, Clementine smiled out of the window. It was a small house, only two stories high but it was made out of logs and had a charming rustic feel.
"Your house is beautiful." Clementine stared at it in awe.
"Thank you sweetheart." Marissa grinned as she parked, "My husband Pete built it himself, without using magic!" The three ladies got out of the car. Clementine unloaded their trunks after Marissa opened the back of the car. Violet reached for her trunk but Clementine grabbed it first.
"Then who's going to carry your trunk?" Violet asked, Clementine grabbed her own trunk with her other hand, rolling them down the dirt driveway, one trunk in each hand. She grinned brashly at Violet as the blonde caught up, rolling her eyes.
The front of the house had a large front porch, it had a few rocking chairs and a wooden swing hanging from the ceiling. Once inside Clementine left the trunks by the door, unsure of where to take them.
"Your room is all ready and waiting for you Violet. Clementine, you'll be sleeping in here on the couch." Marissa waved her arm at the cozy looking sofa in the living room.
"On the sofa? I thought she could just stay in my room." Violet furrowed her brows at her mother.
"Did we let Luke stay in Jane's room when they were dating?" Marissa asked.
"Well no, but-" Violet folded her arms.
"Then Clementine stays on the sofa." Marissa nodded, mind made up as she walked out of the room, ending the discussion.
"It's okay Vi, I don't mind." Clementine bent down and picked up Violet's trunk. "Show me where your room is."
Violet grumbled to herself as she led Clementine into the living room where the sofa resided and up a small staircase. At the top was another hallway with a few doors. Violet opened the first one and led Clementine into her childhood bedroom. The brunette carefully set Violet's trunk down in the corner before excitedly exploring the small space.
Clementine grazed her finger along knick knacks lining the walls. Grimacing as she noticed a picture of Violet with Minerva's arm around her. The Minerva in the picture looked smug as she pulled Violet tighter to her side, almost as if she were rubbing it in Clementine's face. Violet noticed what she was staring at and pulled the picture off the shelf.
"This was a few years ago during Summer break... Sorry." Violet turned the photo upside down and left it on her desk. "Our families spent a lot of time together, we even went on vacations together. I started dating her out of convenience more than anything else. She was Slytherin, I was Slytherin, we were always together... it just made sense... I-I never loved her Clem." Clementine looked down frowning. Violet raised her chin with her finger tips until their eyes met. "It's true Clem. I never felt this way about Minerva... I didn't miss her when she was gone. I didn't feel this urge to protect her the way I do you." Violet picked the photo back off the desk and held it in Clementine's face, "Did I look happy to you?"
Clementine looked at Violet in the photo, a forced smile was on her lips and she was squirming under Minerva's arm as if she wasn't quite comfortable. "No...?"
Violet threw the photo back onto the desk. "No." The blonde sat on her old bed, pulling Clementine down beside her. "I love you. You make me happy."
"Yeah?" Clementine couldn't help the smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.
"Yeah." Violet leaned in for a kiss, Clementine returned it promptly.
"I love... you too." Clementine said between kisses. Violet deepened it, pushing Clementine back onto her bed. "You make me happy too." Clementine breathed heavily as Violet hovered over her peppering kisses along her neck.
"Violet!" The door slammed open, "Marissa told me to get you for dinner." Violet and Clementine sprung apart, sitting up on the bed, burning red and looking disheveled. "A little tip, lock your door sis and be glad it was me and not mum who came up here." The older girl reached around turning the lock before closing the door behind her as she went back down the stairs looking bored. "She's showing Clementine her room she'll be right down." Her voice traveled from down stairs.
Clementine stood up, straightening out her clothes. "Step-sister?" She asked, face so red she could feel the heat radiating off herself.
"Mhmm... That was Jaime. She's pretty cool. It's Jane that's a little uptight." Violet checked herself in the mirror, unlocking her door, "Ready?"
"Yeah... it'll be great eating dinner sitting across from your sister right after she walked in on us snogging." Clementine said sarcastically.
"Great, let's go." Violet chuckled, taking Clementine's hand as they walked down the stairs. Everyone was already sitting at the table. "Grandma!" Violet ran to hug her grandma before sitting down next to her. "I didn't know you were coming over."
"What kind of grandma would I be if I didn't come see you as soon as you got home, hmm?"
Violet gave her a side hug and kissed her on the cheek as Clementine sat on Violet's other side. Clementine smiled at her girlfriend, enjoying the sweet way she was talking with her grandmother as everyone started eating.
"Don't worry Violet," her grandma said as she patted Violet on the shoulder, "We've already said grace."
"Thanks Grandma." Violet grinned, squeezing the hand on her shoulder. Clementine glanced around the table at all the unfamiliar faces, stopping on the guy sitting next to her, noticing he was looking at her.
"My name's Luke. Good to meet ya." He said, holding his hand out, Clementine shook it.
"Clementine."
"Clementine, it's nice to have another Gryffindor around." Luke pointed at the scarlet and gold scarf around her neck.
"You were a Gryffindor?" Clementine smiled at him.
"Yes ma'am and a beater on the quidditch team."
"I'm a beater on the quidditch team!" Clementine said excitedly, "Joined the team 3rd year."
"Ya know, I bet you took my slot after I graduated." Luke and Clementine continued talking quidditch as Violet rolled her eyes.
"Clem." Violet nudged her lightly, getting her attention.
"Yeah, Vi?" Clementine turned to Violet, face bright, looking less anxious.
"Get some food." Violet gestured to the table where everyone had been helping themselves.
"Oh yeah... thanks." Clementine started spooning food onto her plate.
"I almost forgot!" Violet's grandma got up from the table, using Violet's shoulder to help push herself out of her chair. She eased out of the room, coming back with a bowl she plunked on the table in front of Violet. "I made them just for you!"
Clementine leaned curiously over the bowl, peeking in, "Chicken nuggets?"
"It's our Violet's favorite!" her grandma stated, patting Violet on her rosy cheek.
"I didn't know you liked chicken nuggets." Clementine smirked. Violet shrugged, looking down at her plate.
"That's because most people stop eating chicken nuggets when they turn 12." Someone said a little harshly, Clementine looked up and saw that it was Violet's oldest step-sister, Jane.
"Jane." The man sitting next to Marissa said with a stern face, Violet's step-father, Pete.
"Hey Jane, have you eaten popcorn shrimp recently?" Clementine asked casually as if trying to change the topic.
"Uh-yeah...why?" Jane asked, looking at Clementine like she was crazy.
"I've always thought of popcorn shrimp as the chicken nuggets of the sea." Clementine shoveled food in her mouth to hide her smirk as Jane's face dropped and several members of the family began to chuckle.
Violet grabbed Clementine's hand underneath the table, squeezing it gently in appreciation.