The next morning, I woke up the same as I had at Severus'; Screaming, drenched in sweat, crying, and hair long and white. It seemed like the second I woke up screaming, Harry stood in my doorway. He must've just been in the hallway to have gotten there so fast, but the question was how he got here.
"Sophie? What's wrong?" said Harry. I think he was scared; like my nightmares reminded him of those he had. "Why'd you scream?"
"Harry!?" I said, not answering his question. Getting out of bed as fast as I could, I tripped, fell, and hurt my wrist. Not even feeling the pain yet, I ran over and hugged him, "When did you get here?"
"Last night, about midnight," he shrugged, "Why'd you scream?"
"Oh," I said, "Nightmare. I-..." The pain from my wrist now set it. "Ow!"
"Wonderful, Soph," said Harry, clapping, "Break your wrist getting out of bed."
"Oh, shut up," I said, trying both to not smile, and not cry.
"What happened in your nightmare?" Harry asked, "Soph, we both know how important nightmares could end up being."
"Harry, I'm just..." Trying not to smile became easy, but the crying part became hard. "In my nightmares, I watch Dad and Sirius die every night. I see you be brave and chase Bellatrix every night. I see me fall to the ground, crying, being a coward, every night."
"You aren't a coward, Sophie," said Harry, "You didn't run after her because you're smarter than me."
"I didn't run after her because I was scared!" I said, unaware I was yelling, "I was scared for my life!"
"You should've been," said Harry, "After all, if you had done anything, your secret would've been blown." He did have a point. If I charged after Bellatrix, the Dark Lord would suspect me of being a spy; it's the truth, of course, but he can't know it.
"....Whatever," I said, not wanting to talk about it anymore, "I'm getting dressed, so if I were you, I'd leave."
Harry ran out of the room.
I put on my favorite shirt, jean shorts, and heels, and walked to the stairway. Deciding the heels wouldn't cut it, I carried them down in my hand and put them back on when I got down. Along the way, I used the wrap I always kept on me more recently and wrapped up my left fore-arm. I had enough stairs and wrap left, and, since one arm would look odd, wrapped the other. Everyone was crowded around the breakfast table, discussing something. Ron laughed, Harry smiled, Hermione nodded, and Ginny stated her agreement quietly.
"Did I miss something?" I asked the group.
"No," said Mr. Weasley, "We're just discussing the rules at Diagon Alley."
"We're going to Diagon Alley?" I said.
"Yep," said Ginny.
"If you didn't sleep so late, you'd know," said Ron.
"Sleep so late?" I said, raising an eyebrow, "It's seven o' clock in the morning! How early do you wake up?!"
All the Weasleys except Ginny laughed, and she mouthed, "Five o' clock."
I guess they were waiting to eat with me, because no one had eaten anything yet. I sat down and breakfast commenced.
"Now that we've all eaten," said Mr. Weasley, "Go brush your teeth."
"Oh, and Sophie, Dear?" said Mrs. Weasley.
"Yes, Ma'am?" I asked, stopping dead when she called me. No way was I making her mad.
"I suggest putting on some clothes," she replied, smiling, "Way too much skin right now, Dear, way too much skin."
I rolled my eyes and, once again removing the heels, hiked up the stairs and went into Percy's room. This time I grabbed jeans that were cut off at the knees, a black tanktop, and made my hair medium length, green-yellow, and spikey. Also, not wanting to risk it, I switched the heels for purple high-tops. I went to find a bathroom to brush my teeth, and met a line.
After everyone who was coming was ready, we set off. Those who came were me, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, and Ginny. When we got there, Hermione, Ron, Hagrid (who came to be our protection), and I split from Ginny, Mrs. and Mr. Weasley, and went to go see Fred and George's new joke shop. On the way, we passed Madam Malkin's Robe Shop, and my friends had to stop, if only because Draco and Aunt Narcissa were inside.
"Watch where you stick that pin, will you!" Draco shouted.
We walked in, and Draco added, "If you're wondering what that smell is, mother, a Mudblood just walked in."
Moments later, Harry was going back and forth with Aunt Narcissa, and then they left, not wanting to shop at the same place as this "scum". I followed them out a little way, telling Hagrid I'd be right back.
"Not even going to say hi to me?" I asked of them.
"You ought not to be seen with those people, Sophia," said Narcissa sternly, "If anyone saw you-.."
"She's with them all the time, Mother," said Draco, who must've known he was doing something wrong in saying that, because he wouldn't meet my eyes.
"You are?!" she said to me, "Sophia those aren't good people!"
"Not good people?" I asked, tilting my head to the side, "Why not?"
"The Potter boy..." said Narcissa, "A Mudblood..."
"And a Weasley!" Draco finished.
"Don't call her that!" I couldn't help but protest.
"Sophia!" said my aunt, "We will call a Mudblood a Mudblood because it's what she is!"
"B-but she's my friend," I said, "and I don't like you calling my friends names."
"Go back to your 'friends', Sophia," said Narcissa, "They're waiting for you. We shall see you later." I knew they wouldn't say another word to me, so I turned and walked away.
"Well, there yeh are," said Hagrid, "We was gettin' ready to go lookin' for yeh. C'mon, and stick close to meh. The joke shop's close."
When we arrived we saw a building that blew away our wildest imaginations by miles. A familiar face stood just outside the door, wand strapped to her thigh. I couldn't help but smile.
"Julie!" I said, and embraced my cousin (who seemed much fonder of me than another cousin of mine at the moment).
"Hey guys!" said Julie, with her American accent, "Coming to see the shop?"
"No, Julie," said Ron sarcastically, "We came to stand outside and face the other way."
"Then let me help you!" Juliet said, spinning him around so fast he nearly fell over.
"Errrrrrr," said Ron dazily, "Thank you."
"Go on in, guys," said Julie with a laugh. She let Harry, Ron, and Hermione enter, but stopped me.
"What, Julie?" I asked, "What could it possibly be?"
"You must be this tall to enter," she said, holding her hand three good inches off of my head.
"Oh, come on, Juls!" I whined, "Quit making fun of me!" She loved running on the fact that she was six-foot, two-inches and I was five-foot, three inches. Just because her dad's so tall, planes hit him in the face....
"Fine, you can come in," said Julie with a wink, "And don't hestitate to ask Fred or George if you can't reach a shelf."
My eyes grew huge. My breath left me, and it took my words with it. The shop was the most amazing thing I had ever seen.
"Wonderful, isn't it?" said George, who I didn't hear creep up behind me, so naturally I jumped a little.
"Simply stunning," said Fred, next to his brother, "Don't you think?"
"I'll let you know when my lungs work," I said, catching my breath.
"Ahh, George," said Fred, "Another amazed customer."
"Job well done, Fred," George replied, shaking his brothers hand.
"Oh, stop patting youselves on the back," I said, laughing. Naturally, they started literally patting each others back, so as not to pat their owns. I added, "Y'know what? Ron's my favorite."
"Ron did wha?" said Ron, who was passing by.
"You're my favorite Weasley," said I, giving Fred and George a smug smirk.
Ron smiled, and said, "Good. You're my favorite in your family, too. Then again, everybody hates mostyour relatives."
"Whipe that smirk off your face, Soph," said George, "It's creepy."
"Yeah, y'look like your aunt," Fred agreed.
"Eeeeeeew!" I said, no longer smiling.
"Aw, we're only foolin' with ya!" said Fred.
"Yeah, just messin'," George added.
"How much is this?" Ron asked the twins, changing the subject.
"Five galleons," said both.
"Well, yeah, for me?" Ron added.
"Five galleons," they repeated.
"But I'm your brother!" he protested.
"Ten galleons!" said Fred and George without a thought.
"Heh.. Nice one guys!" I said, holding up both my hands for high-fives. When they just stared at me, I added, "Leaving me hanging..." and lowered my hands.
"You're real odd, Soph," said Fred.
"Out-right weirdo," George agreed.
Soon it was time to say goodbye to Fred, George, and Julie, their "silent partner." She was, she told me, as important to the company as either of them, but preferred behind-the-scenes work. In any case, we left.
"I wonder who our teacher will be," I said once we were back at the Burrow, "I hope he or she's nice."
"His name's Slughorn," said Harry, "I went with Dumbledore to ask him to return to Hogwarts... He taught there when my parents went to school.."
I could've replied, "My parents went to school with your parents, idiot," but I didn't feel like it. Instead, I said, "What's he like?"
"Er..." said Harry, "Hard to discribe.. You'll see him at school."
"You're never any help," I sighed.
"Going to tell her what we saw, Harry?" Hermione asked, hinting strongly that I needed to know.
"Huh?" slipped through my teeth.
"We followed Malfoy to Borgin and Burke's," said Harry, "An-.."
"You followed Draco?!" I interupted, "You stalkers!"
"Shut up a minute, Sophie!" Ron said, "Let him finish."
"And he wanted to know how to fix something, have another one on hold at the store, and he threatened using Greyback as punishment if the guy didn't do as he wanted," Harry continued.
"And did you see him jump when Madam Malkin tried to pull up the left sleeve?" Ron asked.
"Is Draco a Death Eater now?" Harry asked, as if in summary of the whole story.
"Harry!" I exclaimed, shocked, "How can you accuse such major things of people?!"
"He's not accusing people," said Ron, "Only Malfoy."
"Is he or isn't he, Sophie?!" Harry demanded.
"I don't know!" I answered, as loud as his demand was, "Not that I'm aware of! I'm not told very much, as I'm not trusted! I'll be lucky to live as it is, I can't go asking!"
"You don't need to yell, Sophia," said Hermione sternly.
"Yes, Mum," I muttered, "Sorry, Mum."
The rest of August went slowly, with each day the same. I woke up (the same way), got dressed, ate breakfast, had to change, and basically just hoped someone would pop in and take me away. One day, I think the twenty-third of the month, I woke up and had an idea.
"I'm going," I said, walking towards the door.
"Going?" asked Molly, "Going where, Dear? You children can't go much anywhere alone right now. Not safe."
"Death Eater headquarters," I replied, sounding like it was no big deal.
"I don't think so!" said Mrs. Weasley.
"It's not like they'll eat me," I said, raising an eyebrow, "After all, I'm one of them, remember?"
"Well.. yes.. but." she said, searching for the right words, "It's.. You shouldn't.... Remus won't like it."
"He says he doesn't," I shrugged,"But I know he's proud."
"Pride and approval are different things, Sophia," said Mrs. Weasley.
"I know," I said seriously, "But if I don't turn up sometime, they're going to get suspitious, and these people attack first and ask questions later; they'll blow me to pieces."
"....Go, then," said she, with a nod, "We shouldn't have waited this long."
I took my leave via motorcycle (so good to have my own transportation), and drove up to Malfoy Mannor, a horribly creepy place I'd spent much of my childhood. I had always been taken over when Dad had to work, which was very often, and my regular babysitters were busy; Remus, Tonks, Severus, ect. I grew very close to Aunt Narcissa at a young age because what I craved was a mother, and she was so like Mum, at least in looks. Mum changed, like me and Tonks, but her face, she didn't play with. Her face looked like her twin despite the look Narcissa has always, seeming like she's just smelled someones socks.
Her eyes were different though... Her eyes were like mine. A brilliant, bright sky blue, and when the light hits, it looks like white clouds cross through.
In any case, I was now at the front door. Slightly afraid of what I'd find, I pounded on the front door. It opened nearly instantly, and, with my luck, who but Aunt Bellatrix could stand before me?
"Look, it's Sophie!" said Bellatrix happily. I hated to see her pleased, but said nothing. "Where've ya been, Sophie? Sara'd want you with her sisters all summer!"
"Technically," I said, "She was against all Death Eater function, but it's good to be here." As angry as I'd been seeing her at Severus' was about as equal to how calm I was now. It might've been so much worse at his home than here because I expected her here. Plus, I could keep my head when I wanted.
"Eeeeeh," said Bellatrix, "Good point. Fool, she was, wasn't she?"
"Yes," I agreed, not even having to lie. "She was."
"Well, don't stand out there!" said my aunt, "Come inside!" I did so, and she shut the door, yelling, "Cissy! Sophia's finally here!"
"Is she, now?" said Narcissa, walking over to us, her face warped with anger, which I knew was towards me. "Why, Sophia? Done playing with the Mudblood?"
"Aunt Cissy," said I, "You do realize I befriended the Mudblood at age eleven, right? I was unaware of her blood. If I stopped being her friend now, they'd grow suspitious."
"Well, yes, but..." she tried to reply, but couldn't find words.
"And when the Dark Lord takes over completely," said Bellatrix, "You can be the one to kill her!"
"I care nothing of that," I stated, turning away a little, "Why spend time on one Mudblood specifically when there's so many other ones out there?"
Again, Bellatrix said, "Eeeeeh."
"And anyway," said I, "We've got bigger eggs to crack, right?"
"Yes," said Narcissa with a smirking grin.
I proceeded with them through the Mannor, them informing me of almost everything; the one thing I didn't hear was about Draco being up to something, like Harry thought. After all, he may have hated Draco with a passion, but he wasn't stupid. He wouldn't create something like this out of nothing. In any case, we passed Severus in the hall.
"Hello, Sophia," said he, "I didn't expect to be seeing you. Could I have a word with you?"
Knowing he meant alone, I motioned Bellatrix and Narcissa away, and Severus and I found somewhere quiet with no one around.
"What are you doing here?!" said Severus.
I raised my sleeve to show the Mark and said, "Duh!"
"No!" Severus said, somehow shouting, yet in a whisper, "I mean why are you right now?! You should be with the Weasleys!"
"I figured if I stayed away much longer," I whispered, "Then they'd suspect something."
"Sophia..." was all my reply was. I knew what that meant. It meant, "You shouldn't be here! Go back where you're safe!"
"Severus...." which I meant, "I'm not safe anywhere anymore. It's not like this is dangerous."
"Go home, Sophia Jamison," said Severus. He liked using my last name. After all, he got used to it, since he had to at school.
"It's not Jamison anymore, actually," I said, smiling a little, "It'll be Lupin in a few days."
"How..?" he stuttered.
"I'm getting married to Remus, Severus," I said sarcastically, "What do you think? He's adopting me!"
Speechlessly, Severus stared at me. It was like he thought if I had a new father, he wouldn't my godfather anymore, so I reminded him that it cannot change.
"All right," said he, "But you need to go. Now."
"Fine," I said, "Make up some kind of excuse for me." With that, I left the Mannor, and rode away on the motorcycle.
When I arrived at the Burrow, I was quite scared. The lights were all off, and everything was silent. Cautiously, I went over to the door, and knocked.
I could tell you what I didn't hear: I didn't hear Mr. Weasley ask me a question. I didn't hear Mrs. Weasley's sweet and loving voice invite me in. I didn't hear the laughter which was deafening inside, and suprisingly loud, even on the outside of the house. I didn't hear the conversation that sometimes leaked through the kitchen window. I didn't hear anything at all.
I turned the knob, but it was locked. Did they leave? I thought to myself. I went over to an open window and called in, saying to let me in. My only listeners appeared to be a dark, empty room. I happened to look back at the doorknob, and it turned, then the door creaked open. I ran to the door as fast as I could to see who opened the door, but it seemed like it opened itself, because no one could've opened it and ran already, and no one apparates inside their own home.
Quite frightened, I walked inside. With each step, I heard whispers. Whispers that couldn't be heard from the outside. I got into the living room, and the lights all flickered on. Before me stood the Weasleys (minus Percy), Harry, Hermione, Remus, and Tonks, all smiling. Even the brown-haired Tonks was smiling, though her eyes couldn't hide the true sorrow behind them.
"What's with the smiles?" I asked of them, "You're starting to creep me out.." As if in response, Remus held a stack of papers in my view.
"Is that...?" I tried to say, but a strange happiness began welling up inside of me, stopping my speech.
"Sign here, and you're mine," said Remus, handing me the papers.
I pretended I needed to think about it for a minute, letting his paper-filled hand just stay there a moment, and his smile faded a little. "Do I sign as Jamison or Lupin?" I asked finally, "And does anyone have a pen?"
"Your name legally changed to Lupin as of yesterday," said Remus, "Sorry I didn't get over here to tell you.."
"Lupin it is then!" I said happily. I grabbed the pen sitting on a table about a foot from where I stood, and signed in my very best handwriting, "Sophia Lily-Joanna Lupin."
A few more boring days of summer passed, and then it was finally the first of September. I was sad to be leaving the Burrow, if only because I didn't get to finish going through all of Percy's things. Luckily, they said I could stay there again when we came for the holidays. Everything at the train station was a blur to me, as the only thing I could focus on was what the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher would be like, and what would happen to him.
On the train, Harry and I had to split from Hermione and Ron, who had prefect duties. We found a compartment with Luna, Neville, and a friend I hadn't seen since the night at the ministry; Jaymes Black. Jaymes was my third cousin, and she knew precisely about the grief I was feeling, because she, too, lost her father that night. Not that she knew him too well, as he spent most of her lifetime is Azkaban.
Sirius had been married once. His wife had been my mother's best friend ever since school. Her name was Diana, and she, like my mother, was three years younger than Sirius. They always fought, and got divorced, even before Jaymes' birth.
"Harry!" Jaymes called to us, "Sophie! Get your arses in here!"
"We're coming," I replied, not entertained by her enthusiasm.
After a long, boring (at least for me) conversation, a girl came with invitations from Professor Slughorn for Harry, Neville, and myself. Confused, and yet somewhat flattered, the boys and I left Jaymes and Luna to go see what was going on.
"Harry, m'boy!" said a chubby man with a bald head, "Good to see you, good to see you! And you must be Mr. Longbottom!" Nevilled nodded, and this man, I assumed he was Slughorn, turned to me and added, "That could only make you Miss Lupin."
"Yes sir, that's me," I said, smiling. I don't know what it was about him, but something just made me trust him so easily, which was something I'd been finding difficult recently.
Professor Slughorn started introducing us to the other students he had called here. Among them was Blaise Zabini, a boy from my house. Neville and Harry glared at him, and he glared at them. I waved. Also here were Cormac McLaggen and Marcus Belby. Belby I recognized, as his uncle was the man who invented Wolfsbane potion. A thing I was very greatful for, considering I had a few nights a month I had to choke it down.
"-and this charming yound lady tells me she knows you!" said he. Of course, he was referring to Ginny, who grimaced behind him. Again, I waved, but this time, I got a wave back.
After we all sat down and he had food out, as we were picnicing, he started asking us about our famous relatives. He asked Belby about the uncle I mentioned in my narration. After Belby, he asked about McLaggen's uncle Tiberius. Next came Zabini, but I didn't listen to what his relative was famous for. Something about a beautiful mother. Whatever.
"How about you, Neville?" asked Slughorn, "How are those parents of yours?"
"Er.. good.." said Neville, "No different than usual..."
"Brave, they must be," said Slughorn, "Or at least were before the Death Eaters got there..."
"They were, I'm told," Neville replied uncomfortably.
With a face that said he wasn't deciding about Neville yet, he turned to me and said, "And here's the niece of the woman who did it, eh?" Instictively, I hid my face in my hands. I hadn't told Neville she was my aunt yet.
"It's all right," Slughorn added after an awkwardly silent moment, "I won't say anything more about it. What ever happened to your mother? I didn't see her at the train station... She seemed the kind who'd come to see you off."
"She, uh, died," said I, "twelve years ago..."
"That's horrible," said Slughorn, "How?"
"Technically, suicide," I replied solomnly, "Not that it was her fault... Aunt Bella Dearest gave her a hexed necklace, and it drove her insane."
"I'm very sorry, Sophia," said he, "I taught during her time at school, y'know. Wasn't the best in her class, but she honestly tried." I smiled a little, though I wasn't exactly my mothers biggest fan.
"And now," said Slughorn, speaking without waiting for a reply, and moving his arms like he was introducing the star of the show, "Hary Potter! Where do I begin? I barely scratched the surface when we met over the summer!"
I didn't really pay attention to the rest of the Potter Rant, as I fell asleep. I hadn't been sleeping well recently; Percy's bed was very lumpy. Next thing I knew, we were leaving. I didn't even remember waking up. Maybe I just walked away in my sleep. In any case, it didn't matter.
"Hey, guys?" I said, "I'm gonna go with Zabini... Gonna sit with my cousin." I knew Harry at least would protest, so I walked away before he could speak.
"What are you following me for, Jamison?" asked Zabini harshly.
"First thing," said I, "I'm not following you, I'm going to sit with my dear cousin, Draco. Secondly, my name's not Jamison. It's Lupin. I got adopted."
"...Whatever," he said, and I think he would've tried to get me lost had we not been to the compartment in which the Slytherins were sitting. I plopped myself beside Draco and fell asleep on his shoulder. If he protested, I didn't hear it.
It didn't matter I wasn't in any kind of bed, or even comfortable position, because I woke up screaming again. I didn't sweat like mad anymore, but I still screamed, my hair still went white, and I still had tears running along my cheeks.
"Sophie?" said Draco, very confused, fidgeting with his ear, which I had obviously screamed in, "Why'd you do that? I can't hear.."
"Oh, I'm sorry, Draco," I told him sincerely, "I-I've not been sleeping well.. Nightmares, you know.."
"It's all right," said he, with what for anyone else would be a frown, but for him, it was a smile, "Just next time, don't scream in my ear."
"I'll aim the other way," I said with a laugh.
"I was just about to wake you up, anyway," said Draco, "I started calling your name.."
"I heard it, I think," I replied, "I heard a faint, 'Sophieeeeeee!', but I thought it was, erm, someone in my dream."
"Well, anyway, we're here," said Draco, "You go on out, I'll be out in a minute. I want to check something."
"I'll wait for you outside," said I before walking away. How could Harry suspect such a sweet, innocent boy? Maybe he just hadn't seen this side of him. Honestly, I didn't know why Draco had to act like that around everybody else. When it was just me and him, he was the gentlest person I knew. I sighed to myself as I left Draco in the compartment, thinking about how misunderstood he was. I guessed he was just one of those people who acted however the people around him acted. He'd change after the Dark Lord fell, I told myself, even Uncle Lucius'll be better. I smiled, thinking of how everyone would get along. Weasley and Malfoy, arm-in-arm, inseperable. Ok, so my expectations were high, but it wasn't a crime to hope for the best, was it?
I stood outside, waiting for my cousin, thinking, what's he doing that's taking so long? Does he think I'm staying out here forever? My doubtful thoughts were interupted by his presence, and he was actually smiling. This smile would count as a smile for anyone, not just him; it was an out-right grin.
"Pleased with ourself, are we?" I asked.
"Maybe," said he with a smirk.
"Draco Q. Malfoy, if you don't tell me what you did.." I began.
"Q.? My middle inital isn't Q." said Draco, "And who says I did anything?"
"You're smiling," I said, "That can't be good."
"Maybe it's a new me," he said, wrapping an arm around me as we started walking towards the school.
"Ew!" I said with a laugh, pushing his arm down, then smacking the back of his head. "Freak."
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