Here is chapter 12. I promise that by chapter 13 you will know what is going on, although Cresent won't.
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Chapter 12 - The Feast
When the train stopped we piled out and Harry dragged me to the carriages so we could have our own, if it was possible. We waited and much to my dismay Cho climbed in right before they started moving.
"Hi Harry. Hi Crescent." She smiled brightly.
"Hullo." Harry murmured looking at me, uneasy.
"Are you new?" Cho asked me.
"Yeah." This girl was trying to be friendly, so I was going to try right back, I had nothing against her, it was Harry I was disappointed in.
"Are you going to start as a first year?" She seemed genuinely curious.
"No. I've been studding by owl."
"Really? Why didn't you just come here?"
"I was in the U.S."
"Oh." She ran out of things to ask. She turned to Harry. "I heard that Sirius Black was killed this summer. I bet you're happy." I made a noise that was half gasp half gulp and maybe a little bit of a sob in there as well. Harry looked at her contemptuously.
"I don't think I fully introduced you. Cho this is my girlfriend, Crescent Black."
"Black?" she asked knowing what was coming, but having to ask anyway.
"Sirius Black was my father," I told her austerely. She looked at Harry.
"No, I am not happy. He was the closest thing I had to a father."
"But he killed all those people, and your parents, sort of," she said disbelievingly.
"Don't talk about things you know nothing about," I warned in a low voice, "It might get you in trouble."
"Are you threatening me?" She asked.
"No. I have nothing against you, Hermione has told me that you are a nice girl, but I will not sit here and let you accuse my father of something he didn't do."
"He was convicted," she said in astonishment.
"They were misinformed."
"I don't see how you can honestly sit there and tell me he didn't do the things 20 people saw him do."
"People don't always see what they think they do."
"Or maybe you believe what you want to."
"Or maybe you want to believe whatever makes things easier," I countered.
She shook her head, "do you believe this Harry?"
"I know this Cho. It is the truth, no matter what you choose to believe."
When we got to the castle Cho went to get out but I stopped her, "Please don't go spreading this around. This was told to you in confidence that you were the good person Hermione told me you were."
She smiled softly, "I won't tell anyone."
We got out and Harry led me up to the castle. As soon as we walked into the front doors a sharp voice called out, "Potter, Black, Come with me."
"What do you need Professor?" Harry asked as the strict looking lady led us through the halls.
"We want to get Miss. Black sorted before the first years." She stopped at a sever looking statue. "cauldron cakes" The statue sprang to life and jumped to the side revealing a stair case. The teacher led us up and knocked on the door.
"You may come in." I heard Dumbledore call. She led us in and I lagged behind.
"Who is that?" I whispered to Harry. He chuckled until I glared at him.
"I forgot you didn't know, that's McGonagall."
"Ah, Miss. Black, so nice to see you yet again. Mr. Potter, chaperoning I see." Dumbledore said to Harry and I. Harry smiled but said nothing. "Ok you are here to be sorted, are you not?"
I shrugged not knowing exactly what was going on, "So I'm told."
He motioned for Harry and I to sit in front of his desk and the next thing I knew something was dropped on my head sending me in to darkness. However I refrained from jumping out of my seat when the voice sounded in my ear since Hermione had already told me about the talking hat.
"hmm…the daughter of Sirius Black….you aren't fit for Slytherin either….not attached enough to your studies for Ravenclaw……that leaves only one place for you then I suppose….to much like your father for your own good, like your friend Mr. Potter there….alright" It seemed to be having difficulty before if shouted, "Gryffindor!"
Suddenly the hat was pulled off my head and I looked around. Harry was beaming, Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling cheerfully and even McGonagall was smiling slightly.
"Welcome to Gryffindor, Miss. Black. I am your head of house. I am sure Mr. Potter will tell you the rest. You may go down to the feast, I have to speak to the Headmaster for a moment," she turned to the headmaster, "the first years are still in the middle of the lake." she nodded letting us know we could go.
As Harry led us through the halls he grabbed my hand and laced our fingers together. He brought my hand to his mouth and kissed it softly, "I was hoping you'd be in Gryffindor."
"Me too." I said softly as we rounded the corner and ran into Snape, "Oh holy hell." I said under my breath.
"What was that, Miss. Black?" he asked his voice deceptively agreeable.
"Hello, Professor." I said.
"That's what I thought. Now may I ask why you aren't at the feast?"
"Sir--" Harry began.
Snape cut him off, "Mr. Potter, I believe I asked Miss. Black a question."
"We were in Professor Dumbledore's office. I was getting sorted."
He cocked in eyebrow, "Really now, Which house?"
"Gryffindor." Harry answered.
"I warned once, Potter, 10 points from Gryffindor."
"Why?" Harry asked a little angry.
"For failure to listen. Get to the feast, although I would like any excuse to deduct more points.
Harry pulled me quickly the rest of the way to the Great Hall. "Snarky git. I can't believe he did that."
"Well, Harry, you can't say he didn't warn you."
"You're sticking up for him?" he asked as we slipped into the hall. They were just starting the sorting ceremony. I saw Ron and Hermione looking at us expectantly. "They are waiting to see where you sit. There's a spot on the other side of the table, across from Hermione, next to Ron. Make like you are going to Hufflepuff and sit there." Harry told me softly.
As we went out separate ways I saw Hermione's face fall. I snickered. Half way to my spot I looked up to the staff table to see Remus looking at me intently. I stopped, Remus?, shaking my head I hurried up the table and plopped down next to Ron. He looked up.
"Hey Twinkle." He wrapped his arm around me in a half hug, "You are a lion huh?"
"No. I was sorted in to Slytherin, just though I'd sit with you guys for a while." Ron stiffened.
"Really?"
"No, you dork!" I said playfully shoved him. I looked up at the staff table and saw Remus talking to a professor on the right of him.
"I see you've discovered Lupin is here," Ron whispered.
"You knew?"
"Yeah. We weren't supposed to tell you."
"Why not?"
"It was a surprise."
"Hey, you two, stop whispering ." Hermione said.
"Oh, he was just telling he how sexy he thinks you are," I told her making them both blush and Harry kick me under the table. "Ow! What was that for?"
"What?" Harry asked innocently.
I sighed and looked back at the high table as Dumbledore was speaking. My gaze wandered to Remus who seemed to sense that I was looking at him. He turned and caught my eyes and winked. Grinning my attention was snapped back to the Headmaster.
"….. In addition to welcoming out new first years, we are please to welcome a new 6th year from the United States, Miss. Crescent Black. And we also welcome back a familiar face, Professor Lupin will once again be teaching you Defense against the Dark Arts and his teaching assistant Professor Tonks." Everyone but the Slytherins cheered the return of Remus. oh, hell. I thought, what am I supposed to call him now? I don't think Remus would work.
"What's wrong? You look worried." Harry called across the table.
"What am I supposed to call Remus?"
"Remus?" Neville asked me
"He's my godfather."
"Well that's new."
"Not for me. Well it was two years ago. It was kinda weird, to find I suddenly had one, I mean how can you go your whole life wanting something like a godfather then not change when you get one…" I realized I was babbling and Neville laughed at me.
"Well that was a lot of information."
"Probably more then you needed to know at this point in your life." I said helping myself to the food that had appeared.
"We're close now."
I laughed, "Yes, we are. " I turned to Ron, "I can't wait to yell at Remus."
"Why yell?"
"He didn't tell me. I made a fool of myself saying goodbye and getting mad at you guys for not saying goodbye."
Ron burst out laughing, even though his mouth was filled with food, spraying everyone near him with food. "Eewww Ron!" Ginny and Hermione squealed. Harry, Neville and I thought it was hilarious.
"You got mad at us?" Ron asked swallowing what was left of his food.
"I didn't yell," I said defensively.
"You Gryffindor women like to yell." Ron pointed to Hermione and Ginny.
"Ron!" Hermione exclaimed.
"That proves my point," Ron said proudly. I laughed.
"How long d'you think this thing is going to last?" I asked Neville as Ron was talking to some guy on his left.
"Until we've finished dessert."
"I don't think it'd be appropriate for me to hug a teacher in the middle of the feast now would it?"
"Who do you want to hug?" he said probably forgetting the godfather thing.
"Snape." I said offhandedly.
"You want to hug Snape!?"
"Broadcast it, why don't you, Neville! I was joking. I want to hug my godfather."
"Oh, yeah." He looked sheepishly to the staff table. Snape glared at him and he squeaked.
"You don't like Snape?"
Neville turned to me with a no-duh look. "What made you think that?"
"Never mind." I looked over the table at Harry, who was staring at me, and raised an eyebrow. Grinning he pointed to Snape who was giving Remus a look that would have frosted glass.
As we all finished our dinner, it disappeared and dessert appeared. I was so full that I managed to take a bite of what Harry passed to me before I had to push it away.
"What's wrong, Crescent?" Neville asked me softly.
"Full. I never have room for dessert, although it's the best part."
"What about some chocolate?" Hermione asked waving pointing to something that look suspiciously like chocolate.
"Chocolate?" I asked looking up grinning.
"You and Lupin. I swear between the two of you, you go through enough chocolate to last me a year." Harry said passing me the chocolate.
"You're neither a girl nor a werewolf, so you have no room to talk." I said happily eating the chocolate dessert.
"What does being a girl have to do with anything?" Ron asked.
"Do you really want me to explain, Ronald?" I asked, "I'm sure Hermione would love to give you the rundown later." To which Ron and Hermione both blushed, again, and I received a kick under the table, again, "ok that is getting really annoying. Not to mention painful, so would you please knock it off." I told Harry.
"Well then quit saying stuff like that."
"It doesn't help to kick me after I've said it. It just makes me mad."
"Yeah? Well it makes me mad when you say stuff like that."
"It has nothing to do with you!" I paused, "Oh, that's why. You are absent from the conversation. Sorry I will work more to include you."
"Twinkle," he growled dangerously. I backed off but did not apologize, hell he was the one to kick me. Looking up I realized that everyone was leaving so I looked at Harry questioningly, "I guess he dismissed everyone when we were fighting."
"Do you want to come with me to go see Remus?"
"Sure."
We made our way against the flow of students to the front of the staff table, "Are we allowed to go behind there?" I whispered.
Harry shrugged, "I have. Since when do you care about the rules."
I thought, "well….never, but this is my first day in a new school, I figured I'd at least leave a good first impression."
Harry chuckled, "I'm sure you can go."
Nodding I walked around the table and flung myself into Remus' waiting arms. Sirius had told me that Remus thought it was the most wonderful and hilarious thing in the world when I did that. He said that Remus told him only women could do that so well. Since then I had made it a point to do it whenever I saw him. Remus took a step back from the force of me flying into him and held me close.
"That is the second time you've done that today, Crescent," he said with mock anger. I pulled away and saw the shocked looks on the faces of the teachers, taking the most note of McGonagall's scandalized expression.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I wanted it to be a surprise, Moon Child."
"But I was all emotional this morning and you're all ' it's ok'. You could have told me then!"
"And spare you the occasion to yell? Never!"
Harry laughed, reminding me he was behind me, "That's what Ron was telling her."
Remus and I still had our arms wrapped around each other making McGonagall clear her throat, "Remus? Do you make a habit of cuddling with the students?" I could hear a teasing note in her voice.
Remus dropped his arms and smiled at her, "Of course not, Minerva. I do, however, make it a habit of 'cuddling' with my goddaughter." His voice was filled with humor.
"Yes of course," she looked ashamed of her speculations.
Remus chuckled," think nothing on it, Minerva. I would be thinking the same thing if I saw you hugging a student."
She looked shocked for a minuet at that thought then chuckled. "Potter, I trust you will show Black to the Gryffindor tower?" She smiled wistfully.
"Minerva?" Remus asked.
"Wonderful to hear those names together, again," she said then bustled off.
Remus kissed the top of my head, "Goodnight, Daughter," he reached over and hugged Harry, all pretences gone with us now long gone, "Goodnight, Harry."
"Goodnight, Professor," I said with a grin.
Remus returned my grin, "don't make me take points."
"Snape already has," Harry said a little miffed again.
"Good. I will see you two in the morning, alright?" Remus said then headed out through the staff door.
"Harry, Miss. Black, I think it's time for you to get to your dorms. Early morning, you know." Dumbledore said softly standing behind us.
Harry nodded and led me through a series of hidden halls and stairways to the portrait entrance of the Gryffindor tower. He faltered here and thought for a moment.
"Do you need anything, Dear?" the fat lady asked.
"I don't suppose you would let me in without the password."
"Sorry, that I cannot do."
"What about giving me the password?"
"No."
"Didn't think so." Harry said sitting against the wall next to the fat lady's portrait.
"What about you, Dear?" she asked me.
"I'm in the same boat as him."
Suddenly the portrait swung forward and Hermione appeared. "We thought it was you. We heard you out here. Where's Harry, Oh there you are, come in."
Harry and I made our way into the common room and sat with Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Neville in front of the fire.
"Where were you?" Neville asked curiously.
"Remus." I said dismissively thinking about what to call Remus. I hadn't asked him and it kept me from thinking other things like 'my dad probably sat here once'. I'd made it almost 3 days without crying and I'd-be-damned if the first night here I turned into a sobbing wreck. I thought I was doing good, especially after what Cho had said.
"Hey, I forgot to ask you. Why did Cho sit with you guys?" Ron asked from my right. Hell maybe I should have taken divination, I was starting to be pretty good at predicting where the conversation was going.
Harry looked at me, letting me answer if I chose to, "Oh, you know, just telling me what scum my father was. The usual."
"WHAT!?" Ron and Hermione both explained.
"What did she say?!" Ginny asked angrily.
Running a hand down my face and sighed wearily, "I don't really want to talk about it, I just want to go to bed. Could you show me where it is?" I asked Hermione.
"Sure, Twink. Come on."
We went upstairs to a room with 5 four post beds. No one else was there so I changed quickly and got into bed. Hermione watched me for a while as if debating something.
"I'll answer your questions, you can go back down, you don't need to stay if you don't want to. And I'll tell you tomorrow, I really don't want to talk about it tonight."
"Are you sure you don't want me to stay?"
"So that's where Harry gets it." I said with a chuckle then closed the curtains.
About an hour later I heard the rest of the girls come in chatting excitedly and after a few minuets the lights went out and the chatting died down. As I fell asleep a sudden thought came into my mind 'why did Snape care what house I was in?'
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