"Atria?" she heard her name whispered quietly. Had she fainted? She tried to open her eyes, they flickered under their lids as she tried and failed.
She felt a hand tenderly place itself on her forearm holding it comfortingly "I don't know maybe we should carry her back to the compartment" She heard Draco suggest.
Finally able to open her eyes, her head pounding, she saw the blurry figures of Draco and Daphne crouching beside her.
"Oh Thank god," said Daphne as she helped Atria into a sitting position. The rush of sitting up made her head spin faster.
"Do you want some water or something?" Daphne asked clutching her arm.
"No I'm fine" sitting up further she tried to focus her eyes.
"Did you see one of the dementors," asked Draco who looked around quickly as if to make sure none were still around, even though they had obviously left.
"Yes," Atria said, blinking her eyes still unable to see clearly.
"Are you sure your okay" Daphne asked again looking her over as if trying to access any damage.
"yes, I'm fine" becoming annoyed Atria tried to prove her point by standing on wobbly legs, removing herself from their grips.
Daphne looked at her suspiciously, holding her arms out as the catch Atria if she fell suddenly "Okay well, I'm going to get changed. I'll see you on the platform," She then placed her hand on Atria's arm, continuing her voice softer as for Atria just to hear "Maybe lie down or something." Before she walked into the changing stall.
Atria looked towards Draco after Daphne had left. He wore an angry scowl but she could see most of his anger was contained by the strain in his face "Why were you alone?"
"I just went to change Draco" Atria replied straitening out her wrinkled clothes.
He crossed his arms over his chest looking down at her disapprovingly, "Who knows what that could have been, your father could have made his way onto the train for all we know."
"I highly doubt that," she debated trying to lower the growing tension but still he stood in the same position not moving a muscle.
Watching each other, seconds went by and Atria realized there was little point in trying to defend herself. "I don't need protection Draco I'm capable of taking care of myself," she said briskly before walking past him heading back to her compartment.
"So good at looking after yourself that I found you passed out in the hallway" she heard him say behind her. She paused, her hands tightened into fists. Knowing he was trying to get a reaction she continued moving forward paying him no notice.
Little black spots phased in and out of her vision creating blind spots in her view, she moved quickly down the corridor her eyes still not able to focus on her surroundings. She didn't get far before she barged into another body in the tight corridor.
A man's voice spoke to her then, rushed and apologetic, "I'm sorry I …"
Cutting him off before he could finish, she knew it was her fault so it was only right, " No It's fine"
She looked up at the figure in front of her, her sight still blurry but much clearer than it had been before. This was not a student. The man in front of her was still relatively young maybe early thirties, his face showing signs of age with his brown hair having streaks of grey and worry lines worn into his forehead.
Her head began to pound. She placed her hand on her forehead as she leaned against the wall.
"Are you alright?" the man asked.
"Yes, perfectly fine I'm just not used to dementors running about on the train" she had not meant for it to come out in such an aggressive tone but she really just wanted to sit down.
She quickly apologized "I'm sorry, I'm just a bit shaken" her tone lighter this time, as she removed her hand from her face.
"Did you see one of the dementors?"
"Yes," she paused feeling and little sick," I think I need to sit down." Her voice came out airy as she felt bile rise in her throat. She didn't notice, but she had started to slip down the wall.
"Okay, let's sit down a moment," He said as he gripped one of her arms helping her into a sitting position, crouching down next to her.
"Is anyone with you right now?" He asked looking around to see if anyone was heading this way.
"No", she shook her head "I'm just about to walk back to them now."
"Well I just came from one of the compartments further up, another child had the same incident," he said reaching for something in his pocket. "Here, it's chocolate. It will make you feel better."
She pulled her hand away from her face looking sceptically at the chocolate in his hand before accepting it "Thank you."
They sat for a moment, Remus staring at her hiding the wonder at seeing her. He hadn't heard anything of her since she was two when he had first discovered she was still alive and here she was now all grown up and on her way Hogwarts. He held his hand out to the young girl."Remus Lupin I'll be your defence against the dark arts teacher this year."
"Atria Black,"
Remus' breath stopped. His eyes trapped on girl who's hand now rested in his. He had waited for this moment for so long and now here she was in front of him alive and healthy.
Sensing his unease she pulled her hand gently back.
"Sirius Black's daughter?" he questioned her knowingly.
Of course he would ask that."Yes," she said, her tone becoming more defensive.
He gave a her a small nod bowing his head to hide his growing smile. Rising on his legs, he held his hand out to her, "Well let's stand you up and then I'll walk you back to your compartment."
She gave him one more questioning look before cautiously taking his hand and standing on wobbly legs. "Thank you sir, but I think I'll manage."
"Are you sure, It really is no bother?"
"No really I'll be fine, I'm just in the next carriage over. Thank you for the chocolate," she said as she took another bite and began her walk back to her compartment.
When she got back to her compartment, it was empty, she still had not changed into her school robes but she couldn't bring her self to care. She sat down by the window and watched the scenery as trees flew by. Closing her eyes, she tried once again to picture the loving grey eyes but it was not too soon before she fell asleep.
Waking up, Atria just how soon the train was to arrive at the school. She quickly moved down the corridor once again to get changed into her school robes. Tightening her tie before walking out of the stall, she had finished just as the train pulled up to the platform.
Getting off the train she heard the all too familiar voice of her cousin. "You fainted Potter, is Longbottom telling the truth, you actually fainted." she saw her cousin exclaim excitedly at the scar headed boy. Glaring at the back of her cousins head, she saw Harry Potter's disgruntled look, she walked past Draco bumping into him passive-aggressive and stalking towards the carriages. Harry Potter must have been the other student Professor Lupin had been referring to. That poor child could not catch a break, could he?
Rejoining Daphne and of course Pansy, they climbed into the carriage and headed towards the castle. Daphne asked if she was feeling any better after her nap and Pansy just stared broodingly out of the window.
Upon entering the castle everyone headed up the main staircase in the direction of the great hall but before entering through the doors a hand grabbed Atria around her forearm.
"What was that for? Back at the platform?" Draco whispered into her ear.
She didn't care to look at him or stop walking while she replied "What?"
"The charging at me?" he asked as he tried to keep up with her fast pace.
Annoyed with his own arrogance Atria turned to him "I fainted to Draco," she spat at him, releasing herself from his grip and continuing into the hall.
Heading towards the Slytherin table, she was once again interrupted. She heard a stern voice calling her name "Miss Black" she turned to see Professor McGonagall, standing in her usual regal stance. Why could she just not sit down and eat?
She turned, hiding her frustration, "Yes, professor?"
"I received an owl from Professor Lupin about your incident with the dementors, so I'm here to escort you and Potter to the hospital wing." So Harry was the other student who fainted.
"I don't need to go to the hospital wing professor I'm perfectly fine, a mere fainting spell," Atria said with a subtle smile in an attempt to convince McGonnagal of her health.
"Miss Black dementors are dangerous creatures and coming into close contact with them can cause trauma and leave some long term effects if not careful, So come along" McGonagall reached her arm out in an attempt to lead her in the direction of the hospital wing.
"I am truly fine, professor."
"I must insist."
"And so must I," Atria said sternly yet still with a small smile on her face.
Atria was starving, there was no way in hell she was going be kept from the best meal of the year simply because the Hogwarts express had been burgled by Azkaban prison guards.
Holding McGonagall's stern stare for a moment longer, the professor finally broke.
"As you wish Miss Black but please check yourself in if you change your mind." and then she was gone.
Catching up to Daphne, they sat at the Slytherin table. The sorting ceremony commencing, she looked at all the first years lined up and couldn't help but think back to her own sorting.
"Atria Black" McGonagall called her name.
She walked slowly up to the hat, almost like she was taking a walk to the gallows. This was it, The moment that would make or break her. An uncomfortable pressure built in her stomach as she sat down and the hat was placed on her head.
"Courage, determination as well, a strong heart and if that is not enough your blood almost speaks for itself, better be Grf-,"
As the hat began to say the word, she interrupted "No."
"No?" the hat said questioningly.
"Please don't put me there. You don't understand I can't go there," she replied calmly.
"Well, what house will you be in?"
At that moment it was as if the hat looked into her mind and saw she had already been asked that question before.
"What house will you be in?" the tall man asked as the small 10-year-old girl as she lay on the floor before him. Her body lay quivering and tense as she shook with shock and withheld sobs. Looking up at the man she knew the answer he was expecting for her to give and she was only too happy to oblige because then it would be over.
"Slytherin," she replied her voice shaking as more tear ran down her bruised cheeks.
He smiled down at her a false smile twisting on his lips, "good girl."
He raised the cane again, for good measure.
The memory faded away. "I see," the hat said his tone understanding,
"Well you have determination, ambition too, your family name makes you the perfect fit for Slytherin but-,"
She interrupted him again "Please" the voice in her head sounded so weak, she hated it.
The hat said nothing more before letting out the loud announcement "Slytherin."
An uproar grew from Slytherin table as she moved to sit down, she could not help the stray tear that moved down her cheek.
How brave could she really have been? She didn't pick the house she wanted, instead, she picked the one that was forced on her, all out of fear.
Returning to reality, she heard Dumbledore's booming voice.
"Firstly professor Lupin who has kindly consented to fill the post of against the dark arts teacher" followed by a round of applause which she joined, Remus stood before sitting back down.
Lupin looked out towards the children, his eyes coming to Harry who was sitting at the Gryffindor table. Looking up the table, he had tried to spot the other student he was looking for before he came to the conclusion she must still be in the hospital wing. Scanning throughout the room again, he spotted her. Atria, she wasn't at the hospital wing at all, she was sitting at Slytherin table, green tie and all. A confused feeling washed over him, he had known all of Sirius's family had been in Slytherin. He personally never had problems with Slytherins, maybe she took after Andromeda.
He needed to stop thinking about her. His mind was just filled with too many questions. They rushed through his head as he realized he knew nothing about this girl. Almost 11 years had passed since he heard news of her, he knew nothing of her life.
When she had gone missing after Marlene's passing, many had thought maybe she had died and her body had been taken.
Sirius had gone to prison after he who must not be named fell and Atria had simply popped back up as if nothing had happened, in the hands of the Malfoys. When Atria had returned to public life, it had been kept under wraps but not for long. While investigating Lucius's loyalties it was discovered by Mad eye that Atria was indeed at Malfoy Manor. He accused Malfoy of kidnapping. But alas a warrant for his arrest would never pass, Lucius Malfoy was innocent and Atria was legally his ward. Mad eye thought it was a load of codswallop, that Lucius had been one of the Death Eaters there that night, he had killed Marlene and taken the girl. But Dumbledore being the voice of wisdom laid out the facts.
Remus had almost filed for custody but only after that was his condition and impoverished state brought into the matter. There was no way he would win, in the end, he had simply tried to have some contact, a weekly visit perhaps but Lucius Malfoy had made sure that never happened. But maybe that was for the best, the Malfoys would have definitely been able to provide for her in ways he never could have.
He looked up, back into the great hall.
His eyes once again met Atria's as Dumbledore continued his speech about the dementors and their purpose here. His heart broke slightly as another thought passed through his head.
Did Harry and Atria even know each other? Did they not know what they had once been, children raised so close they where almost siblings. He remembered the toddlers as they played together or once walking into Harry's nursery to find him and Atria both asleep in the same cot. He looked back across the room from Atria to Harry his eyes watering for his friends, his brothers and what they had lost.
