Author's Note:

This chapter has a torture scene slightly more graphic than the first chapter, but still not too bad in my opinion.

Lily's a bigot, Artemis is protective, and James Potter is an annoyance. But, everything will fall into place, eventually.

January 1973

"I know we're only doing Wizarding culture lessons every other year, but I thought we should meet just to see if you had any questions."

"That's very kind of you, Artemis. I spoke to my parents, and they said it was wrong, you know. That a man looks like a man and a woman dresses like a woman, a woman will eventually marry a man and they have kids. It's just how it works," she explained, looking slightly ashamed but mostly that she wasn't going to fight the status quo.

"I see. If you are going to have those beliefs, you need to keep them to yourself. Especially around my brother and Remus," she said with a coldness that she was sure Lily had never seen from her.

"You can't stop me from seeing them, they're my friends," Lily defended, knowing she was being petulant.

"I don't plan on stopping you from seeing them all together, that would be far too obvious. I will just make sure you don't embarrass yourself by saying something offensive."

"I thought we weren't having any lessons this year?" Lily said with bitterness.

"We don't have to. Just know that eventually, you will have to decide between Wizarding culture and Muggle," she stated before starting to storm out of the room. "Honestly look at what your parents are telling you, is that the life you want to live? You're a good person, Lily. An exceptional one, and I am sure that once you overcome your internalized issues, you'll make the right choice."

April 1973

"Potter, could we talk?" Lily approached James one day.

"You know my name?" he asked in astonishment.

"I don't think there's a person in Hogwarts who doesn't know who you are."

"I knew you knew who I was, but I think the last time your attention was directed my way you called me an arrogant toerag. Is that a Muggle expression? I really have no idea what it means, but I doubt it's positive. Which is a shame." At this point, Lily's face was so flushed James was getting worried. "James Potter, at your service," he tried introducing himself again.

"Well, as I said before, everyone knows about the famous James Potter and your wonderfully clever pranks."

"You want me to prank someone?"

"More to know if you would prank someone."

"You've gotten me intrigued."

"Artemis."

"Black?"

"Yes."

"Either Sirius would have to be okay with it or he couldn't find out at all. Which would you prefer?" his eyes twinkled mischievously.

"If you told Sirius, he would eventually tell Artemis. And I would rather she never found out that I wanted to prank her."

"If I don't tell Sirius, he can't find out that I was behind the prank. That will be tricky, he knows me very well, you see."

"I could help," she looked up at him hopefully.

"I think I'd like that."

"Thanks, James," she got excited and hugged him. James' flush matched Lily's from earlier.

"Um, when did you want to meet to plan this thing?" James asked Lily.

"Tomorrow?"

"I have Quidditch practice tomorrow, would Wednesday work?"

"Sure, I'll see you then."

"So, why did you want to prank Artemis?"

"I just- we had an argument, and I know that she's right. But it's just so hard to accept, so I'm going to prank her and then make myself get the courage to apologize to her. Does that make me a bad friend?"

"I don't think you, Lily Evans, could ever be a bad friend, not for very long anyway. I prank Sirius and Remus when we fight too."

"Really? I didn't know that."

"Well, those pranks are usually secrets. So, do you still want to prank Artemis?"

"I'm not sure. I'll let you know?"

"For you, I'm always available."

May 1973

"I pick the Wizarding world. I am a witch, I'll learn to act like one."

"I'm glad, you have no idea how glad I am."

"Could you help me with that?"

"Of course I will help you, that will be the focus of our lessons next year."

"So I heard that Sirius was going to stay with James for part of the summer."

"Yes, I'm not quite sure how he's going to pull that off. Coming up with a reason to spend an extended period of time away from Grimmauld Place. One that our mother will approve of, it will be even more difficult because father is going away for most of the summer."

"What if you left Grimmauld Place too?"

"And go to Potter Manor? I don't think so."

"I thought you could meet my sister."

"I suppose I could sneak out for a day to meet her if you wanted."

"Really!? Thank you so much!"

"I'll owl you when I'm thinking of meeting you."

"Alright."

June 1973

"It's nice to meet you, Petunia."

"Enchanté Artemis Black."

"Parles-tu français?"

"Oui, je parle un peu de français."

"J'aime la langue française. Et toi?"

"Moi aussi. How much of that did you understand, Lily?"

"Most of it, my French isn't that bad."

"Ce n'est pas très mauvais. Tu as raison," Artemis added that Lily's French was not very bad and that she was right. "How much have you taught Petunia about Wizarding culture?"

"Oh, not too much, mostly introductions. How did you convince your mother to let you come?"

"I told her I was visiting Sirius to make sure he was not brainwashed further into the ways of Bloodtraitor-dome. She told me she thought it was a lost cause at this point, but didn't put up too much of a fight," Artemis responded flippantly.

"So what do you think of Lily being a witch?"

"Well at first I was envious, I even wrote to Dumbledore asking if I could go with her. But I realized that I should be proud of my little sister, which I am, very much so. From what you've described, the Wizarding world sounds fantastic, so accepting."

"And how was Sirius?" Artemis' mother asked her when she returned. "Or is Regulus correct when he says that you went out to see Muggles?!"

"I did."

"Follow me, Artemis," her mother led her to the room where she regularly 'tortured' Sirius. Artemis did as Sirius was always instructed to do and stood on a platform in the middle of the room.

"Heir to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, my daughter, role model for your generation. How could you sully yourself by keeping the company of Muggles? Why? I need an explanation!"

Artemis said nothing, trying to prepare herself for what she knew was coming.

"Crucio," the spell was kept for a few minutes, Artemis was able to stifle the screams she wanted to let out. Her mother followed with a variety of other curses, some verbal some not. Artemis thought she could identify each one until eventually, she couldn't focus on anything other than the pain.

"Please stop," Artemis pleaded.

"Will you denounce the Muggles you were in the company of?" After a short pause, she continues casting curses.

"Up until now, I thought I should keep your appearance clean of this night. Now, I am not so sure. Kreacher!"

"Yes, Madame."

"Artemis here has been cavorting with Muggles. What do you think of that, Kreacher?"

"Disgusting Madame, not fit behavior for the Heir to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black."

"I agree, Kreacher. I am trying to teach her a lesson, would you like to help me?" developing a sick smile on her face.

"Kreacher lives to serve the House of Black."

"As I thought," she made the sleeves of Artemis' dress disappear. "How long would you be able to see if you used your claws on her?"

"Kreacher does not know what would happen to Mistress."

"Not the question I asked."

"Kreacher would guess between a month and a year."

"I want you to draw blood, Kreacher."

The House Elf looked conflicted.

'Do what she is telling you to, Kreacher. I'll be fine,' Artemis projected into his head.

"Unless you want to join your family members on the mantle?"

"No, of course not, Madame," Kreacher replies before using his claws to scratch Artemis' arms. By the time Walburga was satisfied, Artemis had ten lines on her arms, blood coming from each one.

"I hope you are learning your lesson. Crucio."

After hours of nearly non-stop torture, Artemis could no longer handle it.

"It was a plot I came up with, I was going to pretend to be her friend. Make her think that she was worth something, but then make her realize that she will never be more than a Muggleborn."

"Really?"

"Yes, mother."

"Well, I don't believe your plan is working very well. Abandon it. But I do appreciate your creativity, I don't think I would be brave enough to go near a Mudblood much less a Muggle," her mother stated with disgust before leaving Artemis laying on the platform. "Bravery is not a respected trait in this House, as you know. You don't need to be brave, don't cultivate it."

Artemis conjured a patronus and told it to first go to Regulus and give him the message that she forgave him and that she loved him and then go to Sirius and to apologize for messing up his trip to Potter Manor, but she needed him to meet her in 'the room.'

It did not take Sirius long to reach his sister.

"What happened!?"

"Sirius, I need-"

"What happened?"

"I need some potions, Sirius."

"Oh, right. Which ones do you need?"

"There should be a bag in the potions room labeled torture. Bring that one here."

After Sirius had given Artemis her potions and let her rest, he asked his question for a third time that evening. "What happened?"

"Mother found out that I went out to see Lily and Petunia."

"How did she find that out? Wait, Regulus didn't tell her, did he?"

"I forgave Regulus, I don't want you to blame him."

"So he did! Little Death Eater shite. You are his sister, Artemis. He betrayed you! How can you forgive him?"

"And he is my brother, of course, I forgive him."

"I don't."

"Sirius."

"I am, I'm serious about this. He needs to apologize before I will forgive him. Honestly, your forgiveness does not make sense."

"What do you mean?"

"You practically despise James and Peter because of some perceived slight, but Regulus can get you tortured and you'll so easily forgive him."

"I would forgive him anything, you too. You are my brothers, I can't explain it better than that. Don't go after Regulus," she implored her brother.

September 1973

"So, what OWLs did you finally decide on?"

"Charms, Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, History of Magic, Herbology, Astronomy, Potions, and Care of Magical Creatures."

"Ten OWLs!? How do you have time for all of those classes?"

"Well I've been learning most of the subjects for a long time, I could probably pass all of them right now."

"But that must be a lot of homework day-to-day?"

"Definitely, but I'll keep busy, and become more knowledgeable I would hope. I really am sorry that we have to meet up here, away from everyone else."

"I don't mind. How did you find this place? Did James or Sirius find it?"

"No, I did. I was thinking I would show it to Remus for our study group meetings if you didn't mind."

"Of course not. I want to see his face when he realizes he missed this place."

Beginning of December 1973

"Father has Dragon Pox, they don't believe he will make it . Over winter hols, we're going to St. Mungo's," Artemis told her brothers. She had convinced them both to meet her by saying that it was important to her. She might have had to guilt Reg into it a bit, but he came. And Sirius had been walking circles around her since her torture.

"They really don't think he'll make it?" Regulus asked.

Artemis shook her head.

Over the week before the break, Artemis spent time with Lily in the newfound Room of Requirement.

"I heard about your father," Lily told her gently.

"How?"

"Don't worry about how. Are you okay?"

"Not really, but it helps that you're here."

"Lily told us about your father. We're sorry, Sirius," Remus said with James and Peter behind him.

"Don't be."

"He's your father, Sirius. You don't have to be okay," James insisted.

"I know that, but I was never very close with my father. If you're not the Heir, Orion doesn't care."

"I'm sure he did-does, in his own way," Peter suggested.

Sirius snorted. "No, not about me. I'll be there for Artemis, though. The two of them have always been close."

"I'm sorry to tell you that Orion has passed," a nurse came to tell the Blacks. Artemis was grieving the worst of them followed by Regulus, Sirius, and Walburga. "You may pay your final respects, but he will be moved within two hours."

"It is time to hear your father's will, we are going to Gringotts. Answer no questions unless I ask you to."

"Yes, mother," the three children responded with varying levels of willingness to adhere to the statement. Sirius only because he had promised Artemis he would be on Artemis-level behavior, whatever he thought that meant.

"The Will of Lord Orion Black is to be given by Bogrod, myself."
The voice of Orion filled the room. "In the case of my death, I leave my title and fortunes to the Heir of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, Artemis Black. The next Heir is to be my son Sirius Black III until the new Lady Black sees it fit to change this. Until Lady Black has graduated, I appoint her mother, Walburga Black, as regent over financial and political matters for the House of Black."

"Any questions are to be sent to the Head of Gringotts' Inheritance Division," Bogrod added before leaving the room.

"How did everything go?" Lily asked when the Blacks returned from the holidays.

"He's gone, but I'll be okay."

"You can get through anything, Artemis."

"I'm not sure about that."

"Well, with me you can get through anything."

"I believe that's true, yes."

February 1974

"We've come to join you," Sirius told Remus on the afternoon before a full moon.

"You can't, it would be too dangerous. I appreciate the sentiment though."

"James and I have become animagi, Peter's still working on it."

"You did this for me?" Remus asked.

"Of course, you're our friend," James responded.

"What are your animagus forms?" Artemis asked.

"I'm a stag," James boasted.

Instead of answering, Sirius transitioned into his form.

"This is quite fitting. You know Artemis, like other Greek mythological characters, had things that represented her and things she found sacred. The moon, represented by Remus; a hunting dog, like Sirius; a stag, like James; and Lily is my sacred doe. It's her Patronus, you know?"

"What about Peter? Can't leave out a fellow Marauder," James pointed out.

"I guess the three of you can be my Marauders."

May 1974

"Lily."

"Yes, James?"

"Will you go out with me?"

"What gave you the impression that I liked you, James?"

"Is that a yes?" Lily honestly couldn't tell if James was joking or not. Well, he couldn't be Sirius, that position was already taken.

"No, James. It's not," she responded evenly.

"Is there someone else, Evans?" James asked.

"Why would you say that?" Lily asked, blushing.

"Is there?! I was just kidding."

"Artemis, you won't believe what happened earlier today."

"Potter asked you out?"

"How did you-"

"It happened in the middle of the hall, Lily. Everyone knows," to Lily, it sounded more cold than Artemis actually spoke.

"What do you think?"

"Potter should be a bit less dense. I mean he asked if you meant yes."

"No, about him asking me out."

"Well, it would protect you, knowing that multiple Purebloods and Half-Bloods are loyal to you and your protection."

"What do you feel about it, though?"

"I want you to be safe, Lily. My feelings don't matter if it means your safety."

Lily kissed Artemis.

"But you do have feelings for me?" Lily asked.

In lieu of an answer, Artemis kissed Lily.

"We should talk."

"Probably, but talking can wait," Lily said before kissing Artemis again.

"This time I am as serious as my brother's name, we need to talk about our relationship."

"Well, we're best friends and sometimes we kiss."

"Not exactly a traditional friendship, Lily."

"Does your societally-advanced wizarding society have some other name for our relationship I don't know about?" Lily half mocked.

"There are two major relationship types that are not strictly platonic or romantic. There are queer platonic relationships and alterous relationships, the former externally resembles more of a friendship while the latter more a romantic relationship."

"Well, aren't we in a romantic one?" Lily asked.

"I don't really think so, you just said we were in a friendship where we kiss."

"I guess I don't understand. Why not?"

" I suppose we could be in a romantic relationship, but I just don't like you in that way. I don't like anyone in that way."

"So you don't like me enough?! You want us to just be friends? I kissed you, Artemis! Do you know what would happen to me if anyone in my family found out about this? About me? And you can't commit to me either."

"What just is there to being friends? Even before yesterday, our relationship is the one most important to me. With the exception of Sirius and Regulus. I have loved you since my third year, Lily. I will continue to love you until the day that I die, no matter how our relationship changes or doesn't. Our friendship is a commitment to me, is it not one to you?" Artemis asked, her eyes filling with tears.

"Of course our relationship is a commitment, that's why I want to progress it. I want a romantic relationship, Artemis. Even if the two of us are the only ones that know."

"A romantic relationship is not inherently better or stronger than a friendship, Lily," Artemis defended, still hurt from Lily's lack of understanding.

"Do you want a romantic relationship with me, Artemis, or do you want a friendship?"

"If those are the only options you are giving me, I pick friendship. I would not stop our friendship for anything."

"I'll see you at our next study group meeting on Thursday," her tone harsh and hurt. Lily didn't understand what was going on, she didn't like what she didn't understand about Wizarding society. It seemed like Artemis was getting overly upset about some semantic issue.

That night was the one time Artemis ever wished that Lily was raised in the wizarding world, so that maybe she could understand her feelings.

"Why are we targeting Snape with all of our pranks, shouldn't we be pulling them on everyone?" Remus asked James, who was planning his fifth prank on Snape this year.

"He's a Slytherin, don't you think they deserve it?"

"And not all Slytherins are bad," Sirius said.

"There aren't many good ones," James defended. "Fine, this will be the last one on him, then we can focus on other people."

"Or we could focus on the map. I'm sure there is a place we haven't seen yet," Remus suggested.

"Good idea, how about tonight after dinner?" James responded.

"Sounds good to me, I'll let Peter know."

"Lily."

"Yes, James?"

"Will you-" Lily approached James. "If you're trying to run away from me, it's the other way. There aren't any hallways back there, I've checked."

"I'm not running away from you this time, James."

"You're not?" James asked, optimistically, excitedly.

"Well, are you going to finish your question?"

"Question? Oh. Will you go-" Lily interrupted James and kissed him.

"Yes. The next Hogsmeade trip is in a couple days. How's that?" she proposed.

James nodded dazedly before Lily kissed him again. The pair heard a throat-clearing noise and turned their heads to see Peter.

"I'll see you in class, Lily," James said before walking to the Gryffindor Common Room with Peter.

"What took you so long? I thought we were going to work on the map," Sirius asked James and Peter.

"James got a date with Lily," Peter claimed. Remus and Sirius made eye contact, surprised and concerned.

"I just asked her like I do every time I see her, and before I could finish she kissed me!"

"Happy for you, Prongs."

"Thanks, I think we should postpone working on the map. I have a date to get ready for."

"I thought Lily was with Artemis?" Remus asked Sirius when they were alone.

"I thought they were in some type of relationship too. Should we check on her?"

"Probably."

"Wouldn't she be in the Slytherin Dorms? How would we get in?" Sirius asked.

"When we were researching the castle for the map, I found a passageway that leads to the Slytherin Common Room."

"Nice, Moony. Show me the way." The pair left after grabbing James' Cloak.

"Artemis?" Sirius asked.

"Sirius! How did you get in here? What are you doing? You know, just seeing two heads pop into visibility isn't exactly the most calming thing to witness."

"Well, we had to see you somehow."

"What do you need?"

"We wanted to see if you were okay," Remus told her gently.

"Why wouldn't I be okay?" A certain sarcasm known only to her.

"Come on Artemis, even I can see that you've been crying recently. And I'm not the most observant of wizards."

"That's an understatement and you know it."

"Well, have you heard about Lily?" Sirius asked.

"And not the most subtle of wizards either," Remus commented.

"Is she okay? Did something happen to her?"

"She has a date with James Potter," Remus informed her.

"I see."

"Are you okay, Artemis? Do you need anything?" Sirius asked.

"I'll be okay. Thank you, both of you. I appreciate it, but I'll be okay," Artemis insisted.

"If you do need anything, just let us know," Remus reassured.

"What would you like to talk about this week?" Artemis asked Remus and Lily.

"I don't really have a preference. Lily?"

"Potions," Lily said with less enthusiasm than she was known for.

"Would you like to teach us, you know you're better at potions than I am Lily."

"I suppose you're right, maybe I'll get Severus to help me in the subject of my choosing."

"You know, James could probably help you with potions," Remus offered.

"Potter, help me with school?" Lily asked incredulously.

"He does all of the potion work for our pranks. And his family is known for having extraordinary potioneers."

"I think I will get help from Severus because I am tired of Purebloods and their superiority complexes," Lily directed at Artemis before leaving the Room of Requirement.

"I heard about an interesting Transfiguration spell, I could try to find the book it was in," Remus tried to make the meeting less awkward.

"I think we should end the meeting here, Remus. Same time next week?"

"Sure, Artemis."

September 1975

"Before you start the year with this feast, I would like to inform you of a tradition every so many years that will be taking place this year. We will host a Yule Ball for all fourth-years and above."

End of October 1975

"I know we aren't doing culture lessons this year, but would you like a review of Wizard Dining Etiquette?"

"And why would I need that? I will eat the way a civilized person does, and if the Wizarding World has something to say about that, they can say it to me."

"I understand that you come from a different culture, but I don't want anyone to target you. Can you understand that?"

"Yes, Artemis! I understand that you still can't give up on the superior Wizarding Culture, even after I take these stupid lessons and change my worldview on everything. You won't budge!"

"What do you mean?"

"You believe that wizards are superior to muggles."

"We are! We have magic, Lily! How is that not superior? I don't think we should harm muggles, or even be unkind to them, but you have to admit that we are superior!"

"No, I don't! I am no better than my parents, and you are no better than yours!"

"You really think me as horrid as my mother?" she questioned quietly, the anger leaving her. Lily moved to speak, but Artemis ran out before she gathered the courage to apologize.

November 1975

"Artemis said she wasn't available this week, is there anything I could help with?" Remus told Lily after she entered the Room of Requirement.

"So you've seen Artemis?"

"She found me last night. I take it the two of you are arguing?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry. Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not particularly, no."

"Well, I hope you come up with a way of dealing with this. It doesn't seem like one that will end soon."

"I think I'm going to go, Remus."

"James."

"Lily, what do you want?" James responded, not coldly, but guarded. "You said you didn't want a relationship."

"I said I didn't want a serious relationship, we could still go out."

"Do you want to go to the ball with me?"

"Oh. Sorry, someone else already asked me."

"And?"

"And I said yes."

"I see, I don't think we should "

"Should what?" Lily asked.

"Should go out if you're going to go to the Yule Ball with someone else."

"I see."

"Who is it? That you're going with."

"I guess you'll have to see."