A/N: I made a mistake in the last chapter where I put that Lupin had been a professor this year when I should have said last year. To clarify, right now this story is taking place at the end of Harry's 4th year, right before the beginning of the summer leading into his 5th year.
Professor Dumbledore had been talking for a few minutes but Violet didn't hear a word. She couldn't help but replay every time she and Sniffles—no, Sirius—had cuddled on the couch watching a movie or had gone for a walk. All the times she had talked out loud about her feelings to him, not ever imaging he could actually understand or respond!
Everyone was now looking at her expectantly. Dumbledore must have asked her a question.
"I'm sorry," she said after an awkward pause. "I think I just need a moment. If you'll excuse me."
She rushed back into the kitchen, closing the door behind her. The whispers in the living room started back up again but Violet didn't want to think about what they were saying about her.
Tea. She needed a strong cup of tea.
Violet put the kettle on the stove and sat down as she waited for the water to boil. She flexed her hands to keep them from trembling, needing to hold onto something, to release her nervous energy.
The horrifying realization hit her suddenly.
She needed her wand.
(Well, the tea could probably help a bit too.)
Before she could further contemplate breaking her oath for a sudden craving of magic, the door to the kitchen opened and she turned around, straightening up.
"I knew you were lying," Sirius said in a grim satisfaction. "Keeping everything subliminal, like you always do."
"Excuse me?" she said in shock. It was a strange feeling to hear a stranger address her so familiarly.
"You're clearly not fine." He crossed his arms disapprovingly. Violet hadn't noticed what he was wearing before, so focused on transformation from dog to man. Sirius wore simple but quality Muggle clothes, a pair of nicely fitted jeans and a black sweater. With his hair stylishly loose and wavy, it was overall a much nicer image than she would have expected of an alleged murderer who was on the run. Then again, he had escaped nearly two years ago. It'd be crazy for him to still be living in his old prisoner uniform that he was featured in on all the wanted posters.
"You're freaked out by this and you need to admit that or we're never going to get anywhere."
Violet couldn't imagine what on earth he was talking about.
"Get where?"
He shrugged, frustrated. "I don't know, Violet. I lived with you for three months, after all." Clearly not one to beat around the bush then. "I thought maybe we could be friends eventually or something. I wasn't just going to leave you. Unless that's what you wanted?"
Sirius looked at her questioningly, uncertain all of a sudden.
"You think we can be friends?" she said incredulously. Sirius self-consciously scratched the back of his head.
"Well, I just thought-"
"You thought we could be friends after you lied to me for months while living with me. After Sniff-you left me once already without any explanation. I-you-" She could hardly get the words out through the sudden lump in her throat. "I told you everything. I told you about my mum."
Tears sprung up in her eyes as her voice cracked. Sirius averted his eyes, distinctly uncomfortable.
"Look, I didn't mean to-"
"How dare you. I knew Sniffles but I have no idea who Sirius is and I don't want to," she sniffed, biting her lip to keep it from trembling. He was not going to have the satisfaction of talking his way out of this. "We are not going to become friends. We are not going to be anything because how could I ever trust you after this?"
Sirius looked an appropriate mix of disappointment, regret, and frustration. All of which Violet could understand. What she didn't understand was the flash of satisfaction he had at her outburst.
She shook her head. What Sirius Black thought was of no concern to her.
Violet brushed past him to politely tell Dumbledore and Remus that it was time for them to leave. As she shuffled past the mirror in the hallway, she caught a glimpse of herself and winced. Her eyes were bright with unshed tears and the angry splotches of red on her cheeks stood out against the rest of her pale face. Her hair was escaping its messy ponytail in wisps all around her face. Not the polished look she'd hoped she would have in speaking to Professor Dumbledore.
Violet took a deep breath, shook her hair out of her ponytail, and wiped away the tears with her sleeve. There wasn't much to do for her red face so she'd just have to hope they would ignore it.
"Professor, Remus," she addressed. "I appreciate you coming by to clear up this matter but I'd like to take some time alone if you don't mind."
Remus was quick to offer apologies and stand to leave but Dumbledore stayed put.
"I'm terribly sorry to intrude, Violet, but I'm afraid we must overstay our welcome by a few more minutes."
Great, now she looked like an asshole for trying to kick them out early.
"Sirius wasn't the only reason I wanted to stop by today," he began, leaning forward and folding his hands together. "I have a proposition for you, a sort of job offer."
"Absolutely not!"
Violet hadn't seen when Sirius slipped back into the room but luckily his furious expression was aimed at Dumbledore and not her.
"You promised me," he snapped, crossing the room in two quick strides to face Dumbledore. "You promised she would stay out of it. Is that all you brought me here for, to convince her to risk her life?"
Remus was comically frozen in a half-standing, half-sitting position, ready to jump up and intervene. Dumbledore peered up at Sirius through his half-moon spectacles, the only person in the room who wasn't tense.
"I promised she would not be harmed and I assure you, Sirius, she will not be put in any danger directly. But she is of age and deserves to be given the choice to join. Besides, if she accepts, she will have greater protection than she does now."
The key word directly did not slip by her notice.
"Because she'll be in more danger than she is now!"
When Dumbledore did not respond, Sirius knelt in front of her chair, bringing them eye-level.
"Violet," he said lowly. His grey eyes bore into hers with an intensity that made it impossible for her to look away. "I'm the last person in the world you trust or like. I get it. But I am asking—no, I'm begging you to listen to me right now. Whatever he asks of you right now, whatever he offers you: Do not accept. I swear to you this is for your own good."
When Violet didn't move and just stared back with wide eyes, he stood.
"Ask Remus if you don't believe me. He'll have the most objective opinion for you."
Violet flicked her eyes to Remus. After a brief hesitation, he shrugged.
"It is a risky position," Remus admitted. "You would be put in danger by accepting. But it is a worthy cause and I'm sure you would be free to leave at any time if you are uncomfortable, correct?"
"Of course," Dumbledore responded. "Now to the real matter: you were quite a talented witch in your Hogwarts days, Ms. Sinclair, and I've been told you're an equally talented Healer now."
"Thank you." Violet shuffled in her chair, unsure whether or not to accept the compliments.
"I've been in search of such a Healer who is trustworthy for those who are unable to receive medical attention from traditional, more public avenues such as St. Mungo's."
Was Dumbledore making her join a gang?
"Have you ever heard of the Order of the Phoenix?"
"I'll think it over and get back to you."
"What would that entail exactly?"
"What is the monthly salary?"
"Do hippogriffs poop during flight or upon landing?"
Were all better things she should have said. Instead, Violet took one look at a seething Sirius Black standing protectively behind her, thought of her boring job in her boring town, and spitefully blurted out "When should I start?"
Sirius immediately let out a few swears and fixed her with an unimpressed look.
"I'm pleased to hear that, Violet. I'll be in touch with the details of your move." The trio stood up as if to leave.
"Of course, I— uh, move? Sorry, what move is that?"
"To our headquarters in London where you'll be safest. I'll arrange an interview with St. Mungo's so you have a regular job as well. I can't guarantee the position but I'm sure with your skills and experience, you'll win them over."
"Um, right."
"Thank you for your hospitality, my dear."
And with that, they Disapparated away.
Violet sat down heavily, letting her cushy sofa envelop her. In the span of an hour or so, she had made the sudden decision to move again. And she'd met Sirius Freaking Black. Who apparently was not a murderer but a dog.
As she thought back to her conversations with him, she bristled again. Who did he think he was, just assuming that she'd forgive him and they'd actually be friends? Absurd. They hadn't talked for long but he was clearly the overconfident, assertive sort. She never really got along with that type as their arrogance had always been too annoying for her to handle.
But there was something else too. Everyone had been walking on eggshells around her for months ever since her mother died, making sure she wouldn't get upset. She hadn't been yelled at by anyone in months but Sirius Black called her out and told her to get herself together as an adult should. And yeah, he was a dick about it and he lied to her. But he was still upfront with her today in a way no one had been with her in a long time.
As much as she hated to admit it, she had gained a tiny bit of respect for Sirius Black today.
