A/N: Hey there all my fans from all over the world. Here's 23 back from my wonderful beta, CrazyMuggleborn44, just yesterday. Hope you love it!

Chapter Dedications: brainyravenclaw5, Angie-at-OtAku(.)com, Jacob M, and megane793. Thank you all for yopur feedback!

Chapter Twenty-Three

When the train arrived at Kings Cross station, Rain wanted to hold Regulus' hand as they disembarked, but she knew it would get them both in trouble with his mother. Instead, she dragged her trunk off the train behind him.

While still in the hustle of students trying to find their parents, Regulus turned to her and spoke under cover of all the noise.

"Rain, I'm going to have to explain myself to my mother, and if you happen to overhear anything I say, or if Sirius tells you I said something awful, I need you to understand that it's all lies. I really care about you, and I don't want you to get hurt, so I'm going to need to say terrible things about you to her."

"But why would you need to explain yourself," Rain asked, distressed at the position she was putting him in.

"Because all of Slytherin has seen us hanging out together, and I'll be a goblin's uncle if Narcissa doesn't say anything about a Muggleborn in our house."

"Mudblood, you mean?" Rain said sourly. Regulus winced.

"I promised you, that word would never pass my lips. It hasn't yet and I don't plan to let it any time soon."

"But won't it be suspicious if everyone is verbally abusing me except you?"

"I can manage without saying that word."

"Alright, but don't get hurt on my account, I'm not worth that."

Regulus, who had been looking through the crowd on the pretext of looking for his family, suddenly snapped around to stare at her incredulously.

"You are worth all the trouble I go to," he said seriously. "If you weren't, I wouldn't be going to the trouble."

Rain opened her mouth to respond, but was interrupted by a shout.

"Hey, Regulus! They're over here!"

The couple looked up to see Narcissa Black waving to Regulus and pointing to someone in the crowd. Rain looked to where she was pointing and saw the most unpleasant looking people she had ever come across.

Three women so alike in appearance, they must be family. The first two looked like sisters and were much older than the third, who looked as though she had only recently left Hogwarts. One woman had her hand on the third's shoulder in what Rain could only assume was an affectionate manner. The other woman, however was scowling at something in the crowd.

Rain followed her gaze and found herself looking at a very happy group of people. She recognized James and his parents before she realized what the woman's problem must be; Sirius was standing with them, telling jokes and laughing.

The woman must be Sirius and Regulus' mother, and the other two, their aunt and cousin.

"I'd better go," Regulus said, looking at his family darkly. "Bellatrix is about twenty times worse than Narcissa about Muggles, Muggleborns and blood-traitors."

"Right," said Rain sadly. "I'll miss you."

"And I, you," he said softly. Then he scowled at her before running to meet up with Narcissa.

From where she was standing and despite the noise level around her, Rain could clearly hear Narcissa's next comment.

"Why were you talking to that Mudblood?" she accused.

"She was talking to me. I was merely putting her in her place."

"Oh is that what that was?" she said dubiously. "Because it looked like you were getting cozy with filth."

As they started walking away, their voices faded into the rest of the babble around them and Rain couldn't hear Regulus' next retort.

Instead of following them, like she felt inclined to do, she walked towards where she saw the Potters and Sirius.

"Talon!" James called when he spotted her approaching.

"Hey, Prongs," Rain called back. "Where are Wormtail and Moony?"

"Moony's parents were gonna be late for something so he couldn't wait for you, and I think Wormtail forgot that you wanted your parents to meet his," Sirius answered.

"Speaking of parents," James said to Rain. "I haven't officially introduced you to mine."

He turned to his parents who were smiling at the three of them.

"Mum, dad, I'd like you to meet my new friend, Rainnina Bone. We call her Talon, though," he added, smiling.

"Pleased to meet you," Rain said, holding out her hand.

"Likewise," said Mr. Potter, shaking it.

"It's very nice to meet you, dear," said Mrs. Potter, ignoring Rain's hand and hugging her instead.

"Er... you too, Mrs. Potter," Rain said awkwardly as James and Sirius started laughing.

"Speaking of parents, again," said Sirius. "Do you know where yours are, Talon?"

Rain looked around but she couldn't spot her brother's familiar excited face which she imagined would be beaming right in her face at that moment if he were there.

"I don't see my family anywhere," she said. "They're probably on the Muggle side of the barrier."

"Oh, yes, that's right," said Mr. Potter. "You're Muggleborn aren't you? You were the girl who asked James and Sirius how to get onto the platform this summer, is that right."

"Yes, sir," said Rain, smiling. "Right on both accounts."

"Well, let's see if we can help you find your family."

"Speaking of family," said Rain as they walked towards the queue waiting to leave the platform. "I saw yours, Padfoot."

"What?" Sirius asked harshly.

"Er... Your mother, aunt, and cousins. D'you think they'll be looking for you?"

"I doubt it," he said sourly. "I stayed at Hogwarts for Christmas my first year, so they expect that every year. I go with Prongs instead."

"Oh, Padfoot, I don't think that's how it is," Rain said sadly. "Your mother was glaring at you since you got off the train, I'm sure of it."

"Well, bully for her. I'm spending Christmas with the Potters whether she likes it or not."

"I'm sorry," Rain murmured. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"No, Talon, I'm sorry," Sirius' expression suddenly became remorseful. "I shouldn't have snapped at you like that."

"Hey, Padfoot," James said teasingly. "What's with the uncharacteristic apology? You practicing for when Talon's your sister?"

"What?" Rain and Sirius both cried at the same time.

James laughed. "You see, when Talon and Regulus get married, she'll be your sister-in-law."

Sirius grinned. "That would be one more family member I actually like," he said wistfully.

"I think you boys are thinking too far ahead," Rain said, shoving Sirius playfully.

"So, Rainnina," said Mr. Potter. "What year are you in?"

"I'm in fourth."

"And I assume you're in Gryffindor, like our boys here," he said smiling affectionately at the boys in question.

Said boys exchanged a look and then watched Rain with concern.

"No, sir," said Rain quietly. "I'm in Slytherin."

"I'm sorry, I assumed..." he trailed off lamely.

At that moment, they had reached the head of the queue and were allowed to pass into Muggle London.

"Rain!" Rain looked up at the sound of her brother's voice and a second later he collided with her. "I missed you!"

"I missed you too, Dustin!" she said happily, hugging him. "Have you been waiting here long?"

"Not too long," he answered. "I found somebody to talk to while we waited. Apparently her sister goes to Hogwarts too, and she goes to the same school as me! She's alright until you hear her talk about her sister; I think she's jealous 'cause she's a Muggle."

"Who is it, did you ask her name?"

"Yeah, it was uh... Petunia."

"Petunia what? Maybe I know her sister."

"Uh..." he thought about it a second. "Oh I remember, it was Evans."

James looked up at the last word and Sirius smirked.

"I think I do know her sister," Rain said also smirking at James. "Lily. She's in two of my classes and tutors me in Potions."

"And Prongs moons over her all the time," Sirius said grinning.

"Who?" Dustin asked.

"James," Rain said also grinning. "So, Dustin, where are mum and John?"

"Over here," Dustin said leading the way. "Oh, it looks like the Evans' are still there, you can meet Petunia, she's nice, you'll like her."

Rain, Sirius and the Potters followed Dustin through the crowd.

"Mom," Dustin called. "I found her."

Tammy turned and spotted her daughter, ran to her and smothered her in hugs and kisses.

"Mum, geroff. You're embarrassing me," Rain cried while James and Sirius laughed.

"I missed you so much, Rain," Tammy sobbed clinging tighter. "I think you've grown since I saw you last."

"Yeah, mum, I'm fourteen, I'll be doing that for awhile still."

"Oh, my baby has a British accent now!" she gushed. "I can't believe you're so different all of a sudden!"

"Come on, mom, let her breathe," Dustin said, tugging on her arm.

Tammy let go and gave Rain a watery smile.

"Oh, mum, I wanted to introduce you to someone. These are my mates, James Potter and Sirius Black," she pointed to each in turn. "I also wanted you to meet James' parents cos they invited us to a Christmas party."

At that, Mr. and Mrs. Potter introduced themselves and chatted with Rain's parents, but Rain wasn't paying attention. Instead, Dustin was dragging Rain over to a sullen looking girl with blonde hair. Behind the girl were two people who must be her parents. The father had blonde hair like her, but the mother had dark red hair like Lily.

"Hey, Petunia," Dustin said, smiling. "I want you to meet my sister."

Rain could tell that Dustin was smitten with the beautiful young girl, but she didn't really like the way Petunia glared at her.

"Hi, I'm Rain," Rain said holding out her hand. She was determined to be nice to this girl for Lily's sake.

Petunia ignored Rain's hand and glared some more. "So you go to that freak school too, do you?" she spat snidely.

"Excuse me?" Rain was floored. The only people to talk to her like that were pureblood wizards who hated anything Muggle. Now she was being treated the same way by a Muggle who obviously hated anything Wizard.

"You heard me," she sneered. "You're a freak and you go to a school for freaks to keep normal people like us safe."

"How can you talk that way?" Rain shot back. "Your own sister is a witch."

"She's not a witch, she's a freak. Just like the rest of you."

And with that, she turned her back on Rain, James and Sirius, and stuck her nose in the air. Rain, Dustin, James, and Sirius moved away from the horrible girl.

"I thought you said she was nice, mate," Sirius said to Dustin, who was now glaring at the back of Petunia's head.

"She was nice to me," he said angrily. "She is so shallow!"

"Yeah, you could step in a puddle of her and not get your feet wet," Rain commented. "She's just like the others in my house except opposite."

"I can't believe Evans has to put up with that on a regular basis," James said, shaking his head.

"What do I have to put up with, Potter?" came a voice behind them.

They all turned to find Lily with her trunk and owl standing there, eyes narrowed at James.

Dustin stepped forward, holding out his hand. "Hi, I'm Dustin Mackenzie, you must be Lily Evans."

Lily shook his hand with a surprised expression, nodding.

"We were just discussing how unfortunate it is that you have to put up with a sister like yours on a regular basis," Dustin continued. "I was talking to her before and thought she was really nice, but then she met my sister and was very rude to her. I don't think she's very nice anymore."

At that, he turned bright red and walked away back to his and Rain's parents who were still talking to the Potters.

Rain started laughing as he walked away.

"Was that your brother, Rain?" Lily asked, staring at him.

"Yes he is," Rain said, still giggling a little. "I think he fancies you."

James suddenly scowled at Dustin.

"What makes you say that?" Lily asked nervously.

"Because he rambles like that when he meets girls he finds pretty."

"Lily, there you are," they looked up to find Mrs. Evans smiling down at them. "Come on, dear, we're going to granddad's for tea."

"Alright, mum. I'm coming," Lily said and turned back to Rain. "I guess I'll see you when we get back."

"Sure thing, Lils."

"Oh, Evans," James said suddenly.

"For the millionth time, Potter, I will not go on a date with you," Lily said before he could continue.

"No, it wasn't that," James said, crestfallen. "I just wanted to invite you and your family to a Christmas party at my house on Christmas day. There will be food and crackers and puddings and everything. I've invited a bunch of people."

"Oh," Lily said, surprised.

"We'd love to go," said Mrs. Evans. "How would we get there?"

"Er... I'll figure that out and get back to you," said James.

"Okay, dear, I look forward to it. Come on Lily, or we'll be late for granddad."

"Alright, bye, Rain. And...er...thanks, Potter."

James grinned brightly. "No problem, Evans. Oh one more thing."

Lily stopped walking and faced him expectantly.

"Will you go on a date with me?" he asked, smiling.

"You ruined it, Potter," Lily said shaking her head. She walked away with her family without answering.

"Is that a yes or a no?" James called after her.

"That would be no," Rain said smirking.

"What did she mean by 'ruined it'?" he asked. "What did I ruin?"

"The moment," Rain said. It was obvious to her.

"What moment?"

"The moment where you two were being nice to each other," she explained. "In that moment, she thought that you had matured a little."

"Being mature is overrated," he huffed.

"But Lily obviously wants you to be more mature."

"She does?"

"Boys!" Rain cried throwing her arms in the air. "Clueless!"

"Rain!" Tammy called. "It's time to go."

"Alright, mum!" she called back. She turned to James and Sirius. "I'll see you at the Christmas party."

"Yeah, see you," James said absently, like he was thinking about something intently.

"Bye, Talon," Sirius said, giving her a quick hug.

Rain waved and followed her family out of Kings Cross Station.

A/N: Well that's it for now. I'll soon post an outtake from Dustin's point of view while he waits for his sister on the platform. R&R!