Chapter 8
Back to school
Well, I'm back, and totally miserable about it. Me and my friend were staying in Canada with her uncle, who I've come to love like he's my own uncle. And I wish we could have stayed there forever. Her uncle is a lot nicer than my dad. Oh well, I'm coming back next summer, and hopefully for a lot longer than two weeks! And if I'm incredibly lucky, which I doubt will happen, I might stay for Christmas! Ha. Like that'll happen.
Disclaimer: No, I do not own anything you've seen in the HP books, you dolt. However, I do own Violet, and the new character about to be introduced.
Chapitre numero huit
Violet was up late and training as usual, but she skipped the running because one, it was already five-thirty, and two, to make room for martial arts, swordfighting, knife throwing, and everything else, only to find that she couldn't concentrate on anything. About half an hour into trying to train, she gave up and got dressed and went into the kitchen. Surprisingly enough, Remus was sitting at the table, apparantly trying to read. When Violet entered the room, he looked up, his eyes red and tired. "I couldn't sleep." he explained.
"I was just trying to train, but I can't concentrate." Violet looked up again, and said quietly. "I'm not even sure I'm ready to go back to Hogwarts, after everything that's happened. I don't think I'm ready to face the world after the last couple of months." she confided.
Remus nodded understandingly. "I know how you feel, Vi, but unfortunately for you," he grinned. "You have to get an education at Hogwarts, or else go to Muggle school, which I know won't do you any good against Voldemort. Because I'm not waiting on you anymore!"
Violet saw that he was joking, and lightly shoved him. "Hilarious, Moony." she cocked her eyebrows. "That has to be the first joke I've ever heard you crack."
"Why, Violet, I'm hurt," he said sarcastically, before getting up and opening some cabinets. "Well, neither of us are going to be getting back to sleep, so what do you want for breakfast?"
"It doesn't matter, why?" Violet said curiously.
"Because, I want your last meal before you get to Hogwarts to be good! Now tell me what you want!"
"Remus, your cooking's never good," she rolled her eyes. "But, I'll humor you. Just get me bacon and eggs, like I normally have."
"Okay." he started cooking the Muggle way, as he'd never mastered magical cooking. "I just want to make sure you have a nice breakfast before you leave."
"Oh, yes." Violet said, pretending to wipe tears from her eyes. "I have to go nine whole months without your cooking. Boo frickety hoo."
Instead of another smart-assed comeback, Remus looked hurt. "You mean you don't want to stay for Christmas?"
"I get to stay for Christmas?" Violet said, surprised. She hadn't been expecting that one. "I thought I was supposed to spend Christmas at Hogwarts, like I normally do."
"Well, I'd like it if you stayed for Christmas, but if you don't want to, I'll understand." he said, still looking a bit sad.
"Are you insane?" she said, pulling a cup out of the cabinet. "Of course I want to! I didn't know you'd have me."
"I think you're the one who's gone insane." Remus said, raising his eyebrows, and sliding the plates on the table.
For the rest of the morning, they just laid around the house, trying to read, or occasionally making small talk. Finally, at 10:00 (A/N: the train leaves at 11 if I'm not mistaken.), Violet said suddenly, "Just how are we getting to the train station?"
"I've got an old car we can use." Remus said. "Arthur's bewitched the gas tank so it'll never empty."
"Can you drive?" she said apprehensively.
"Yes, I can drive." he said exasperatedly. "Now, you'd better get all your stuff, all right? I'll be starting the car."
"Can't you just Summon my stuff so I don't have to go get it?" she begged. "Please?"
"Oh all right!" Remus sighed, pulling out his wand. "Accio trunk!" He turned to Violet. "Anything else?"
"My broom."
"Oh, yes. Accio Firebolt!" Once they'd laid down at his feet, he turned to Violet again. "Happy?"
"Thanks."
It didn't take too long before they had loaded the trunk in the backseat, and gotten in. "Seatbelt, Violet." commanded Remus.
She shot him a dirty look and obliged. They weren't all that far from London, so it only took around twenty minutes to get to King's Cross. Once they had, they unloaded the trunk and did the usual routine, slipping through the barrier unnoticed.
They met up with the Weasley's as they usually did. They had actually arrived early, so they milled around chatting, Violet preferring to stay close by Remus's side.
When the time did come, they all got in line to hug Mrs. Weasley, Violet first. Mrs. Weasley wrapped her in the same bone-crushing hug she had made her trademark, while Remus shook hands with everyone. "Take care... have a good year... keep out of trouble, Ginny."
Finally he was left with just Violet. Remus bit his lip and noticed Violet doing the same. "It's been quite a summer, eh?" Remus said awkwardly.
"Yeah... I--" She stopped abruptly and without so much as a warning, flung her arms around Remus and buried her face into his shoulder. "I'm going to miss you so much..." She sobbed into his shoulder.
"I'm going to miss you too." Remus felt his voice growing husky as he held her tightly. They stood there for several moments, before breaking away and wiping their eyes. Remus finally spoke again. "Now, I can be fairly sure you'll get into a few fights this year, but listen to me on this. When given the choice, never choose fists over magic. Only if you or your opponent is unarmed should you resort to Muggle dueling. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand." Violet said, forcing a smile. "I love you so much."
"I love you too." He stared at her back as she started to enter the train. "Violet?" She turned with a quizzical look on her face. "Do keep out of trouble, will you?"
At last, a true smile lit up her face. "Like that'll happen." With that, she slowly turned and shut the door.
The ride to school was rather uneventful up until Draco Malfoy sauntered into Violet's compartment with a sneer on his face.
Violet determinedly stared into his cool grey eyes. "Get out, Malfoy."
"You know?" He said with a cocky grin and flopping down on the seat across from Violet. "I like it just fine right here."
Violet noticed something. "Where are your bitches?" she responded. "Dumb and Dumber, was it?"
Malfoy appeared undaunted by this and replied, his sneer growing more prominent. "Where's your precious godfather?" he hissed. "You know, the one who hangs out with the werewolf? Or used to hang out with, thanks to dear Bellat--" He never did finish his sentence, as he was soon flying out into the aisle of the train, white hot pain and blood shooting across his face. "You bitch! You broke by dose!"
He whipped out his wand, but Violet was already straddling his chest and had pinned his elbows to the ground with her knees. She poked her wand right between his now watery grey eyes. "I'll do more than break your nose if you so much as mention Sirius ever again!" she hissed. "You can insult me, you can insult my parents, and I may even let you get by with insulting Remus, but if you ever wish to see the age of seventeen, you'll never insult Sirius Black again! Do you understand me?"
"Y-y-yes!" he rasped, as Violet was applying more and more pressure to his throat.
Violet still didn't move until she felt two pairs of hands under her arms yanking her backwards. Only then did she notice the crowd that had formed around her. She could make out Hannah Abbot, Cho Chang and her friends, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnigan, who were grinning and giving her the thumbs up, several nervous looking third years, a quirkily handsome boy with curly brown hair that she didn't recognize, and Ron and Hermione, who were still clutching her arms protectively.
"Come on, Violet..." Hermione hissed and she and Ron pulled her into the next compartment and shut the door. "What happened?" Hermione said urgently. "And where did you learn to punch like that?"
"He was insulting Sirius." she said quietly, hoping that would make them forget about where she learned to fight.
Hermione gasped and Ron looked enraged. "He insulted Sirius?" Hermione said, horrified.
"He's lucky I wasn't there." Ron snarled. "I'd have bashed his face in."
"I think Violet took care of that." Hermione pointed out. "Anyway, you do realize how much trouble you'll be in when McGonagall and Snape find out what you've done? Not to mention how mad Remus is going to be."
"Damn!" Violet swore, smacking herself in the head again. "Remus is going to kill me!"
"McGonagall and Snape are going to give you hell." Ron said, shaking his head sympathetically.
"Ron, that's enough." Hermione said firmly. "You're not helping matters any."
The rest of the trip was relatively quiet. Violet remained thankful that they had forgotten about how she learned to fight. All too soon, however, the train screeched to a halt, and the sounds of trunks banging on the ground could be heard from all angles. Violet slowly stood up and reached over her head, easily lifting her trunk and Firebolt and setting it on the floor. Ron, who was struggling with his own, gaped at her. "Have you been working out this summer?"
"Maybe." she gave him a half smile, and helped him with his trunk and broom.
Hermione had thought to simply levitate her trunk, and she led it out the door, shortly followed by Violet and Ron. No sooner had they reached the castle when Professor McGonagall stormed towards them. "Weasley, Granger, on your way, now. Potter, follow me."
Ron mouthed, "Good luck!" and Hermione shot her a pitying look before heading towards the front doors.
As they entered through the courtyard, the pit of dread in Violet's stomach was growing increasingly larger. Once McGonagall had shut the door to her office, she motioned for Violet to sit in the high backed chair on the opposite side of her desk. Once McGonagall had sat down she wasted no time in saying, "Miss Potter, I heard a rumor that you attacked Mr. Malfoy on the Hogwarts Express." She peered at Violet from across the table. "Is this true?"
"He was insulting Sirius." she blurted out.
"I do not care who he was insulting!" Professor McGonagall snapped. "You are a sixth year! You are too old to attack everyone who provokes you! You'll want to set a better example for the younger students! I cannot believe such behavior!"
She paused for a minute. "You will serve a week's detention and tutor first to fourth years in Defense Against the Dark Arts until Christmas Vacation. And I will be writing to Remus."
Even though she had expected that, it didn't stop the sinking feeling in her stomach. "You're not going to take any points, then?"
"There are no points yet to take, Miss Potter! Now go on to the feast before I make it a month of detention! And don't forget you've got Animagus training as well!"
Violet wasted no time in rushing to the Great Hall. The Sorting Ceremony was almost finished. All that was left was the curly haired boy she'd seen on the train. He looked about sixth year-ish. What was he doing here? Ah, it felt good to be back.
Eric Miller's palms were sweating enough to fill a swimming pool. He'd come all the way from the Pigsnout Academy in Delaware, USA to attend Hogwarts, all the way in Scotland. As he headed for the stool that the worn Sorting Hat was perched on, he wished that he'd used some Sleekeazy's Hair Potion on his long curly hair, or that he'd at least cut his hair the night before. Noticing that every eye was on him, he felt uncomfortably aware of the fact that he was five feet, three inches, and that his face had broken out the night before. Finally he sat on the stool, nervously awaiting his verdict, as the Sorting Hat was slipped onto his head.
Soon enough, a voice popped into his head. Hmmm... you're the third student I've had this much difficulty Sorting. You possess lots of courage, you seem to be loyal enough, you're a hard worker, you've certainly got brains, and lots of ambition. But where should you go?
Eric thought of what he'd heard about the Houses and immediately realized he didn't want to be in Slytherin.
Not Slytherin, eh? I recall several students thinking the exact same thing, and I placed them in...
"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat roared, as did the Gryffindors. The Slytherins booed, and the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws clapped politely. He staggered over to the Gryffindor table, and sat down in an empty seat across from a group of students talking and laughing. He noticed a red haired boy sitting next to a girl with bushy brown hair and across from a girl with jet black hair. There was nothing special about the other two, but when his eyes rested on the black haired girl, his jaw dropped. She was the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen. A sheet of thick, sleek, shiny raven-colored hair framed a perfect oval face that boasted smooth, creamy white skin that looked as though it had never seen a pimple. She had a short, straight nose with about six freckles on it as well as high cheekbones with a natural pink tinge. When she laughed at something the redheaded boy had said, her full, almost juicy-looking pink lips parted to reveal blindingly white, perfectly straight teeth. The only flaw that he could think of was the thin lightning bolt shaped scar on her forehead, which only seemed to bring out the rest of her beauty. He tried to remember what was so special about that scar, but couldn't. He'd read something about it in a book... oh well. But the most amazing thing about her were those emerald green eyes. They were the hugest, most vivid eyes he'd ever seen, framed by long black lashes. As she met his eyes, they widened with shock, and he could feel shivers running down his spine, and he forced himself to look away from the angel.
However, something else brought his attention back to her. She briskly shoved her shirtsleeve up as she dug into the feast in front of her. Then Eric noticed it. A long, ugly scar that marred her forearm, which was also rather toned for a girl. Suddenly the sleeve was pulled down with a snap as she saw him looking.
Transfixed by her enchanting beauty, he only snapped out of his trance when someone plucked him on the side of the head, and he slowly turned. "Yes?"
"I wouldn't even try it, mate." said a boy with sandy brown hair.
"Huh?" he said, turning back toward the angel.
"Violet's not too keen on the opposite sex."
"Do you mean she's--!" Eric sputtered in disbelief.
"No, no. She's not a lesbian." the boy laughed. "She just doesn't trust anyone. Especially not boys."
"What about the redheaded boy?" Eric pointed out. "They look like the perfect couple."
"Ron Weasley?" The boy snickered. "No way! He's practically her brother! She hasn't even got a boyfriend!"
"Y-you mean she's single?" Eric said disbelievingly. "How does someone as beautiful as that remain single?"
"Because she won't let anyone near her. And I wouldn't suggest you let her hear you call her beautiful. She hates it."
"Why? Girls love being told they're beautiful!"
"Not Potter. She doesn't seem to believe it. Weasley won't let anyone tell her she's beautiful because of how it upsets her. He's like her brother."
"Hold on a minute... That's Violet Potter!" Eric gasped slightly.
"You don't know who Violet Potter is?" Now the boy was gaping. "Blimey, where have you been? Never mind that, but the only reason she seems to trust Ron so much is because they've known each other for five years. I'm Seamus Finnigan, by the way."
"Eric, Eric Miller." they shook hands, and Eric turned to Violet. Even the way she ate was cute. She ate as though it were her last meal, but somehow didn't look like a pig. Perhaps it was the fact that she was incredibly skinny. Apparantly, his staring had made her feel uncomfortable, so she got up and turned to him. Then, he saw what she was wearing. She had on the usual robe, with spiky cuffs and a hint of a silvery-looking charm bracelet peeking out from under the sleeves, but it was unbuttoned to reveal a button down shirt with several pins that said things like, "dork" and "AFI", a red plaid miniskirt that came no lower than mid-thigh, and a pair of combat boots. On anyone else, it would have looked scary; on her, it looked stunning. He only had a few seconds to admire her long legs before she sat down in the vacant seat in front of him, and now he had only her face to stare at. Come to think of it, that wasn't at all a bad thing.
"I'm pretty sure you know who I am, but just in case, I'm Violet Potter." She said with a half-smile. "What's your name?"
Somehow he found his voice, and was uncomfortably aware of how stupid he must have sounded. "E-eric Miller."
"Pleasure." she shook his sweaty hand with her own black-fingernailed one. "So, you seem to like my clothes, eh? Either that, or you've got an eye problem."
Eric felt his face growing, if possible, even redder. "Er, yes, I guess it was your clothes. You look hot--er, I mean cool!" he said hastily.
She laughed out loud, a clear, bell-like laugh. "I just noticed you seemed to have a staring problem."
"I'm sorry. I--" he wanted so badly to tell her how beautiful she was and that he was madly in love with her, but somehow he didn't think she would appreciate it much. "--was just curious as to how you got that scar on your arm."
This was apparantly the wrong thing to say, as her face hardened and her voice was filled with disgust as she answered, "All I'll say is I've had a rough time, okay?" With that she stood up and stalked out the Great Hall doors.
"That wasn't a wise move, Miller." Seamus said with a bit of a grin.
"Shut up, Seamus. You think I don't know that?" Eric put his head in his hands, wondering just how he always managed to screw everything up.
Well, that's all for now. Sirius says I have to do my homework. :( Bye guys.