I slept well that night, very well in fact, it must have been the room, because despite going to bed late and being very full from the feast, I had risen early, been for my morning run and arrived freshly showered at breakfast before most people had reached the Great Hall.
The morning passed easily, but for someone who had already done fifth year, it was always going to. At lunch I was sat with Lizzie and Casper eating shepherd's pie, when someone from Slytherin rose and sauntered over to the Ravenclaw table.
"Poppy Black," the blonde said simply. It was undeniable who he was, his striking good looks, his Quidditch player physique, his platinum blonde hair.
"I am her," I replied, turning.
"Your family have insisted I come and introduce myself to their beautiful cousin, my name is Abraxas Malfoy," he said, regarding me appreciatively.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr Malfoy," I replied graciously, rising from my seat and extending a hand. He bowed low over it, planting a lingering kiss on it.
"If you have finished your lunch, would you like to take a stroll in the grounds, Orion was insistent I get to know his cousin," he said with a winning smile.
"I would like that very much," I replied. He kissed my hand once more, before lowering it back to my side. Offering his arm like a gentleman, he led me out of the castle. Autumn had not yet reached Scotland, so there was no chill in the air, perfect for walking.
"So Poppy, you don't mind if I call you Poppy, do you?" he asked.
"Of course not," I replied, a little guardedly. "And you do not mind if I call you Abraxas?"
"How could I be opposed to being on first name terms with such a beautiful witch?" he asked, raising his eyebrows flirtatiously. I could have laughed, how predictable he was, even dense Orion and Cygnus could predict his next move.
"So tell me about you Poppy, why have you come to Hogwarts now?"
"Dragon pox," I said without hesitation. "When my grandparents and father reconciled, they were adamant I was to have a… respectable Hogwarts education." Abraxas nodded his head and offered a look which told me he knew everything about the decade long Black feud. It was a discreet way of saying 'I am a Malfoy, of course my whole family was watching the scandal unfold with much interest.'
"I was just about to start third year here when I contracted dragon pox. So that was two years spent under the tutelage of various Black relatives whilst tucked up in bed."
"I can imagine how that might be very different to Dippet's curriculum," he chuckled, I shrugged my shoulders and laughed.
"You could say that."
Now Abraxas Malfoy was citing my origins, there would be little doubt in most of the students' minds that it was the truth.
The rest of the day passed quickly and I hardly noticed the time fly by before, Cassiopeia caught me on the way to dinner.
"Orion told me about Slughorn," she said venomously. "How dare he treat you like that?"
"What do you mean?" I asked, thinking back to my boring, theory lesson this morning, completely at a loss as to what she could be offended by. "He treated me just the same as all the other students."
"Exactly," she exclaimed exasperatedly, as if I was missing her point entirely. "You are not the same as all the other students, you are a Black!"
"It does not matter, Cassie," I laughed. "I am a Ravenclaw, he has no interest in me."
"Oh hush," she commanded, but her icy glare melted into a smirk. "For it does not matter, today was a theory lesson, by the time you have shown him your talent in practical brewing he will just die with embarrassment at having treated you in such a way." I shook my head and hid an eye roll, Cassiopeia could be so ridiculous sometimes.
"Come, it is a Monday, we have decreed that Monday night is family night. You are to join us this evening," she said. As we advanced upon the table, I could not help but smirk. The upper years, of fifth, sixth and seventh years were clustered around one end of the long table, and a disproportionate amount shared our long dark hair and pale complexion. Orion and Cygnus scooted over, so there was a space between them for me, and Cassiopeia took her usual seat between Slytherin seventh year prefect Raimond Lestrange and Evan Rosier.
"Poppy, this is Elena Greengrass, Harrison Carrow and Tom Riddle," Orion said, pointing out each of the Slytherins I was not related to, that were close by.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you Poppy," Elena said, extending a hand to shake with a small smile. Orion had told me before, that Elena may come across as aloof and distant, but actually had a warm heart.
Harrison also greeted me kindly, but Tom Riddle just watched our exchanges contemptuously.
"I was unaware, Orion, that now we were inviting Ravenclaws to our table."
The acid almost stung.
"Watch your tongue Tom," Cassiopeia scolded from her seat. It seemed she had been listening to our introductions.
"At the Slytherin table, the eleventh Black eats free, regardless of house," Cygnus joked.
"Forgive me, Miss Black," Tom said disdainfully, glancing at Cassie.
"Oh for Merlin's sake enough with propriety, Tom," Cassiopeia snapped, though I could tell from her tone she was fond of Tom, perhaps why he did not retaliate. "Say Miss Black here and have eight heads turn, Poppy will do well enough."
"As is your wish Cassie," he replied, the muscle in his cheek working. "Poppy, would you be so kind as to pass the potatoes?"
As I did, I couldn't help but be amazed at how efficiently Cassiopeia ran Slytherin house.
"A practical lesson today ladies and gentlemen," exclaimed a positively gleeful Professor Slughorn, as he clapped his podgy hands together.
Snape had always taught in the deepest, coldest dungeon he could get his hands on, but Slughorn liked the light and the warmth, so we were hardly beneath the surface at all. Sunlight shone through the small windows, right beneath the high vaulted ceiling, illuminating our work without the need for hundreds of scattered candles.
Gradually each name was called in pairs. My heart sank as Orion and Cygnus were paired off with other people and left their seats either side of me to join their new partners.
"Miss Black," Slughorn called. "I think I'll sit you here with Mr Riddle at the front, he will make sure you produce a satisfactory potion."
I had to take a deep, calming breath. I was fuming as I took the slow walk of shame between the aisles of desks; it was infuriating how Slughorn assumed I was dense. Because I was intelligent, more than most people in this room. Maybe even him.
I'd like to boast and say I've always been this intelligent, but I haven't. I've always had a good memory, and been logical and quick to make decisions. But I wasn't that fantastic at magic until the war, books were everywhere. You couldn't escape books. Luckily, the opposing side valued knowledge as much as we did, and every effort was taken to save old tomes. A loaf of bread?
Not on your life.
But books were everywhere.
And when I had gone through my transformation I had been cooped up in that hellish hospital cell. And I read every single book I was presented with and a whole lot more I shouldn't have been reading at all. And having spent almost two years 'ill' I've read half of the Black Library as well. Reading makes a person intelligent. I believe that. And I had read an awful lot.
"Yes Professor," I replied sweetly, though I knew my eyes were like daggers. I ignored his condescending smile and the whisper he sent to Tom.
"Do make sure she doesn't blow anything up, dear boy," I'm sure he said.
Mechanically I dropped my books on the same bench as Tom.
He turned to me, an arrogant smile on his face.
"The potion's most sensitive ingredients are salamander blood-"
"And griffin claw," I interrupted in a monotone. "Yes thank you Mr Riddle, I know how to make a strengthening solution." His dark eyes sparkled with mirth at my agitation.
"Our esteemed professor seems to think otherwise," he murmured, his voice low and mocking. "And if I am required to call you Poppy it seems only courteous you call me Tom."
"I'll go to the store cupboard, Tom," I replied, his name dropping from tongue like the vilest curse. "You light the cauldron."
Forty minutes later a small glass vial containing a perfect strengthening solution was presented to Professor Slughorn.
"Well done, well done," Slughorn said merrily. "Ten points to Slytherin Tom, thank you for showing Miss Black here how it is done."
"On the contrary professor, Poppy instructed me on the correct procedure," he replied, his voice clear and polite. I almost snapped my head to look at him in disbelief.
"Always so modest my boy," he sighed, eyes twinkling. "Very good, you may go when you are packed away." With that he meandered over to the next pair of students who were struggling with a congealed brown mixture giving off the odour of gone off eggs.
"I think Professor Slughorn may be disappointed you broke his Black tradition," Tom said, not bothering to disguise his smug smile. "Oh how he liked to boast of it at every available opportunity."
I stayed silent, and for once Tom continued to talk, it seemed Slughorn's dismissal of any talent I may possess had put him in a surprisingly good mood.
"Tell me Poppy," he said. "How different are you from your family? So much that you have broken their most infamous tradition."
"Simple," I replied flatly. "I'm more cunning than they are." Tom outright laughed.
"Yes and that's why you have been sorted into Ravenclaw," he mocked. I rounded on him, I could feel the stinging heat of my glare.
"I am in Ravenclaw because I also possess a degree of subtlety, Tom," I spat. "Perhaps you could tell me what is more cunning, than not broadcasting to the entire world that that is your most prominent trait?"
"Are you telling me you're a snake in sheep's clothing?" he asked, his smirk returning, but I could see a strange sort of admiration in his eyes.
"What is more Slytherin than being in Ravenclaw?" I asked, a smirk forming on my own lips.
"Interesting," he said thoughtfully, eyes narrowed in contemplation. "Perhaps I have underestimated you somewhat."
I knew he didn't mean those words. I could see in his eyes he still thought I was a silly little girl who thought she could play the same games as snakes.
I was tempted to set him straight but that would only reaffirm his suspicions of my character.
"If you'll excuse me, I have things to do," was the reply I settled on.
Things to do it seemed was just a jog around the lake. But in my mind that was far more important than talking to Tom. His happy mood was far less bearable than his usual miserable demeanor I longed for a long, solitary jog to clear my head and give me focus. But it would seem someone had other plans. I managed one circuit around the lake before Abraxas Malfoy, his blonde hair almost blinding in the bright sunlight, waved me down.
"Abraxas," I greeted trying not to let it show that I would have preferred for him to carry on his way. My fast breathing wouldn't allow me to say much more so I bent over my knees for a moment breathing deeply.
"Impressive," he commented. He was talking about my running, but I noticed how his eyes were looking at me appreciatively, I tugged down my shirt. If Cassie found out I had been caught sweating by a Malfoy she would either kill me, or congratulate me- thinking it provocative.
Perhaps the latter, his eyes were still roaming my body.
"Do you run, Abraxas?" I asked innocently, stretching my hamstrings slowly.
"I play Quidditch, of course I run," he replied, finally finding his gentlemanly manners and focussing on my face only. "Physical fitness is very important."
"I know I plan on trying out for this year's team," I said, he didn't look as shocked I would have expected. I suppose Lucretia had set the standard for Black girls playing sport. She was a chaser and as good as Alphard and better than Rosier by a mile.
"Really," he said, smiling. "Well good, we don't have enough female flyers here at Hogwarts. I look forward to playing you. What position do you play?"
"Keeper," I replied.
"Alas, I'm a seeker," he sighed. "But you will be up against Alphard's chasing; do I have reason for concern?"
"I'm sure you can ask Alphard that," I laughed. "We have played a great many friendly matches."
"I am sure you have," he grinned. "What do you say I join you on your next run?" I surveyed him hesitantly for a moment.
"I'm not sure Abraxas-" I started, I was used to running being a private thing, I wasn't sure I needed Abraxas with me all the time.
"A trial run," he proposed, grinning flirtatiously. "If you will excuse the pun. If you outrun me, you can leave me behind and I will treat you to dinner in Hogsmeade next weekend." I supressed a smile, was that meant to be a subtle way getting me to go to Hogsmeade with him?
"I run at six tomorrow morning," I said firmly. "If you're not here at six o'clock sharp, I start without you and when you fail to catch up, you have to treat me to a bar of Honeydukes chocolate as well."
"You have a deal."
After a quick shower and change of clothes, I made my way down to the Great Hall for dinner.
"Poppy!" Came a familiar shout from behind me. Orion and Cygnus were running down the stone steps.
"Poppy we have to talk to you," Orion said quickly, without breaking stride they picked me up with an arm each and whisked me into a deserted corridor leading from the hall, my legs kicking uselessly underneath me.
"What is it?" I demanded, wrenching my arms free as soon as they put me down. "I wish you'd stop doing that," I muttered as an afterthought.
"It's Cassie," Cygnus whispered, as Orion put up charms to ensure no one eavesdropped.
"She's gone mental!"
"What do you mean?" I asked my curiosity trumped my concern.
"This idiot," Orion said, elbowing his cousin in the side. "Told her about what happened in potions. She's furious."
"Well what can she do?" I asked, shrugging my shoulders. My run had calmed me down after the incident; surely she could not be upset.
"She's gone to Slughorn!" Cygnus exclaimed. "She's going to shout him down. Threaten to set Pollux on him and withdraw all the funding our family gives to Hogwarts."
"She's not," I breathed. Surely she would not do something so headstrong.
"If Slughorn doesn't back down, he will floo call Pollux and if he doesn't support Cassie, she is in for it," Orion explained.
"No, no, no," Cygnus said, shaking in head. "My father wouldn't do that to Cassie, she's his little sister for Salazar's sake."
"It would cause uproar in our family," I murmured as it dawned on me what would happen if this went wrong for Cassie, I turned to Cygnus. "Our Grandpa Sirius and your Grandpa Cygnus, would never forgive him."
"Or they'd never forgive her, for putting our family in that situation," Cygnus pointed out.
"The family is going to be torn apart!" I groaned. "And it's my entire fault… again!"
"Don't be silly Poppy," Orion said firmly. "The blame was laid equal between Grandpa and Uncle Lycoris last time and it's all Cygnus' fault this time, for not being able to keep his big mouth shut."
"We need to calm down, and stop laying the blame here," Cygnus said steadily. "We're jumping the wand, none of us know what has happened between Cassie and Slughorn yet. She could be in the Great Hall eating dinner quite happily now for all we know."
We shared a look and sped off in the direction of dinner, sending first years in the Entrance Hall ducking and spinning out of our paths.
We raced into the Great Hall, turning some heads I noticed. Cassie was not present. Orion swore under his breath.
"Orion Phineas Black that is no language for a gentleman."
We spun round to come face to face with the very person we were looking for.
We almost let out a relieved laugh when we saw the superior smirk on Cassiopeia's face.
"In your next Potions lesson the three of you will be making Elixirs of Euphoria alone and in complete silence. I expect nothing less than full marks from each of you," she told us haughtily, before flashing a wicked smile.
"Yes Cassie," we chorused, satisfied; she elegantly took a seat for dinner.
"How is it she has every person in the entire castle wrapped around that perfectly manicured little finger of hers," Orion mused aloud, eyes narrowed in contemplation.
"Don't question it, cousin, just accept its gifts," Cygnus sighed.