Chapter 4 Come On Ride the Train
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter; if I did you would know it. Story title is a song by H.I.M. Chapter title is song by Quad City DJs.
September first dawned bright and early. Mina, who had already been awake because of strange dreams circling the previous nights blood exchanges crawled from her bed and quickly showered. She had just twisted the water off her hair when she heard rustling in her room. A gift from her blood exchanges from both Drago and Jessinia. Mina quietly slipped from the shower and wrapped her small form in a fluffy towel. She eased her bathroom door open only to breathe a sigh of relief. Gitana stood at her window looking out on the grounds below. Hearing the sigh, the older vampire turned with shadowed eyes to view her young mirror. "Mina, your up early." Mina smiled a bit and slipped into her room heedless of the water droplets dripping on her floor. She took a deep breath and froze her eyes flashing silver.
"What did he do to you?" Gitana grimaced and shifted closer so that the young vampire could see her face. Mina fought not to gasp at the new scarring across her cheek. It wasn't pretty, a jagged line cut her cheek from just under the older vampires eye down to circle below her mouth. This then was a harsh mimic to Mina's own scar. "My punishment for disobedience." Gitana's voice was scratchy, as though she had been screaming. Mina's eyes narrowed, the silver returning with her anger. "He didn't let you exchange blood with me last night either." Gitana sighed and dropped to her knees her arms encircling her sister child. "He was jealous Mina, and angry to be so out maneuvered. I did tell you that things would get difficult." Mina nodded and slipped her arm free offering Gitana her palm. "I still need your christening before I start school."
Gitana sighed and gently clasped Mina's hand angling her palm to her own mouth. "You will be the death of me pet." Mina smirked her eyes already hazing with the desire. Her voice held the same full-bodied cadence from before. "You will not die, I won't let you." Gitana shivered as it caressed her skin and gently sank her fangs into the girl's palm. Mina sighed and softened against her older self, a small gasp eliciting from her as she felt the dark desire surge through her. Gitana's eyes fell closed as she took the blood offered her and felt her head swoon. Mina was heady stuff and it was several seconds before she was able to pull her self away from Mina's palm. She healed her bite and opened her eyes watching awareness return to Mina.
Mina drifted for several long minutes on the lust haze that crowded her mind before slowly lifting heavy lids to meet the silver of her sister-cousins. Slowly she licked her lips her voice a husky cadence as it danced up to Gitana's ears. "This time, I get some of your blood as well." The statement was a plea as well as a demand. Gitana smiled her red fangs glinting in the early morning light, the scar on her face slowly healing as if Mina's blood meant to wipe away Drago's mark. She obliged the child in her arms by pulling back and using her own claws to cut the crook of her elbow and offering it to her younger self. Mina smiled and set her mouth to the freely bleeding wound and laved at Gitana's blood before quickly covering the injury, a soft moan carrying in the silence of the room. It was several minutes before Gitana's bite healed and Mina lifted silver, nearly white eyes to her sister cousin.
The two locked gazes for several minutes, as Mina slowly licked the blood from her mouth and teeth. Gitana shuddered as a wave of desire shot through her. Mina smiled a dark smile as if suddenly aware of who owned whom in the room. Mina danced along the mental eddies of power that surged through her. Slowly she slipped from Gitana's arms a hazy nearly drugged look in her eyes. "Thank you Gitana." Gitana fought the instinct to lean into the child before her, her body aching for the touch of the young girl for several long minutes. It was a struggle but Gitana was able to pull herself together and climbed gracefully to her feet. "You should finish getting ready pet, so I can get you to the train." Mina nodded and Gitana glided from the room wishing suddenly that she had never crossed Drago for Mina. The girl was fast becoming an all-together too powerful addiction.
Mina watched her older-self leave the room with eyes slowly returning to their normal violet. She smiled again, a smile no child should wear, before turning to finish getting ready. She crossed the room to her closet heedless of the grace that clung to her. She slipped into a two-layer wrap skirt and a kutra top. She slipped on a pair of sandals and crossed to her trunk easing the lid shut and securing the locks. She spent several minutes taming her hair into several long braids before twining them together in thicker braids of their own. Task complete and normality nearly returned Mina crossed to her bed grabbed her small travel bottle of tablets and popped two before slipping the bottle into her messenger bag. This she promptly slung over her head and settled on her hip.
A knock on the door heralded the return of Gitana who looked much refreshed herself, her scar nearly gone. Mina smiled. Her voice normal again as her darkness retreated. "We should probably hurry, we are supposed to meet the Lupins just outside the platform." Gitana smiled and crossed to Mina's trunk waving her own wand and quickly shirking the baggage before handing it to Mina to place in her travelers bag. "You remember the spell to return it to normal size right?" Mina smiled. "Rinvio del bagaglio." She also mimicked the way her wrist would move as she said the words and Gitana smiled "Very good pet." Mina beamed at her with child like radiance before closing the flap of her messenger bag. Gitana took her hand and led the younger vampire from the room. The two slipped from the house and Gitana pulled Mina closer to her before apparating the pair of them to a small alley outside the metro station.
The swirl of nearly suffocating color ended with Mina struggling to stay on her feet and barely succeeding. Gitana laughed and helped her younger self regain her footing. "It's better when you are the one in charge of the direction." Mina nodded and followed Gitana as she made her way to the Metro entrance. The two slipped easily among the muggles and it wasn't long before they were waiting outside the platform. The two stood off to the side for several minutes before Mina looked anxiously over her shoulder. "Perhaps they are already on the platform." Gitana nodded but paused for several seconds' before griping Mina's chin and forcing the young girl to meet her gaze. "He may act strangely around you for a bit Mina. The full moon has just passed and he may be more sensitive to you now since the separation sacrament."
Mina nodded but smiled fleetingly. "We will work it out, Remus is my best friend." Gitana nodded and then turned tugging Mina after her. "Then we had best find him." The two slipped onto the platform and Mina squealed loudly before darting towards her lupine friend. "Remus." He turned and nearly fell as she threw her arms around him. He wrapped his arms around her and smiled before breathing deeply. "One of these days you will kill me." Mina laughed and looked up at him. "Never Remus." The two smiled as they studied each other and Remus took a deep breathe before releasing her and stiffening slightly. "We should go find a compartment before they are all gone." Mina nodded and turned to hug Gitana. "Will I be home for Christmas?"
Gitana hugged her younger self. "If you want pet. That's up to you." Mina nodded and took a deep calming breath before pulling back. "I will write as often as I can. I will also be writing Merikano." Gitana released her sister-cousin and smiled her fangs retracted. "Stay out of trouble mini me, Hogwarts isn't Zacabry." Mina nodded and climbed on the train after her friend. She turned to offer a wink to Gitana and the train jerked into motion. The two shared a wave and then Mina turned to find her friend. She had only gone a few steps before she found herself barreled over by two black haired boys. The trio found themselves in a tangle on the floor of the train. Several grunts, growls, squeaks and squawks later the three managed to regain their feet.
Mina, her chest heaving and her eyes rimmed in silver glared at the closer of two black haired boys. His hair was longer and framed silvery-grey eyes that were filled with amusement. She narrowed her own eyes and put her hands on her hips. "Could you be anymore clumsy?" In the time that she had regained her bearings he had been sizing her up from the mahogany locks that curled in disarray to the tips of her toes and back again stopping on her scar. He smiled what was clearly meant to be a winning grin. "Don't be like that cheeky, it was an honest accident." A chuckle sounded behind him and he was pushed aside. "It wasn't his fault amethyst eyes, we were escaping from red and her greasy Slytherin." He slid in front of his longhaired counterpart and adjusted his glasses before offering his hand. "The names James, James Potter." He smiled cheekily, "And the Lothario behind me is Sirius Black."
Against her better judgment she took his hand and offered a somewhat sweet smile of her own. "Mina Chakano. It been a pleasure but I must find my friend now. Excuse me." She withdrew her hand and turned to continue on her way heedless of the nearly inhuman glide she carried. It wasn't long before she found Remus settled in an empty compartment, though the racks above looked to be occupied by a least two others. She pulled her trunk from her messenger bag and set it down. She said the spell as Gitana had shown her and was pleased to see it work on the first try. She bent to retrieve her trunk handle when a deep and cultured voice sounded above her. "That's a fine piece of magic."
Mina smiled, straitened, and looked up. "Thank you, it's my first spell." She found her purple eyes locked in pale blue ones. The older boy before her smiled, his thin pale lips pulled tight. His long blonde locks fell around his shoulders and his smile seemed forced, almost overly kind. "Indeed, muggle-borns always seem to be behind where magic is concerned." Mina frowned slightly but, mindful of the age difference forced a polite nod. "I'm not a muggle-born. I just lived in a muggle neighborhood." The blond studied her, his eyes flicking to her scar. "Indeed." Sirius Black halted their conversation; "Lucy, I didn't expect you among the first years." The blond stiffened and glared at the boy behind her. "Sirius, you should be mindful of your behavior. Not even ten minutes out of Aunt's care and already you are acting like a heathen."
Sirius opened the compartment door and gently pushed Mina in the compartment. "It was an accident that didn't involve you." The two sneered at each other for several minutes before the blond turned and left. Sirius turned back to Mina who was studying him with thoughtful eyes before she smiled softly. "Thank you Sirius." He nodded and shimmed past her to take a seat across from Remus. Mina turned back to her friend and heaved her trunk up over her head. As she was so much shorter she struggled for several long minutes before both Remus and Sirius stood to help her. Trunks settled the three gained their seats, Mina beside Remus. Her purple eyes swung to Remus'. "I am sorry I took so long, I was run over and then way laid by a pureblood." Remus studied her.
"Aren't you a pureblood?" Mina blinked and her eyes cut to Sirius before returning to her friend. "I'm half blood." Remus nodded. "Your father, mother, and sister all do magic though." Mina shook her head. "They aren't my father, mother, and sister." At least not in the way you think. "They're my guardians. An adopted family." Remus nodded and turned to Sirius. "Since you apparently already met, Mina and I went to school together. We have been friends for years." Mina smirked genuinely and reached for her satchel. "Remus is my very best friend. What happened to your counterpart?" Sirius sighed. "Trying to apologize to red." Remus sighed. "He shouldn't have insulted her or her friend." Mina found the book she was looking for and leaned back popping it open. "Who's Red?"
Remus was going to answer when the compartment door opened and James Potter slunk in with a bright red handprint on his cheek. "She won't even talk to me." He slumped in his seat across from Mina. "I'm going to marry her." Remus chuckled and Mina bit her bottom lip. Sirius laughed outright. "Jamsey, I don't think slapping someone is an indication of marriage. "What do you think, Jewels?" Mina looked up from her book, "What?" Sirius smiled. "Jewels, that's your name." Mina frowned and sat up. "My name is Mina." Sirius studied her. "Your eyes shine like jewels, it suits you." Mina blushed and felt the darkness in her surge, a predator recognizing prey. She dropped her eyes from his and reached for her bag again and standing at the same time. "I'm going to find the ladies room. Excuse me."
She didn't wait for a reply and left the compartment quickly. She only made it a few steps before Remus grabbed her wrist. "Mina, are-?" She turned to looked at him and the two froze. Mina twisted her wrists out of his grasp. "I'm fine Remus." The two held each other's gazes for several seconds. "You have to take your pills then?" Mina didn't think about it as she stepped closer her hands flying to his mouth. "No one can know about this sickness Remus. No one." Remus nodded and inhaled his hands flying to her shoulders and his brown eyes flaring gold, as his animal rose to the surface hers answered the call. "We can talk later Remus." Mina jerked form him and ran down the train. Remus, seemingly stunned, let her go.
Mina reached a compartment near the back that she thought was empty and ripped opened the door. She snapped the door shut and grabbed her pills. She had just popped two when a clearing throat sounded. Mina froze and swallowed her pills lifting sliver purple eyes to black ones across from her. "Can we help you?" His voice was cold for one so young. Mina swallowed her pills and would have answered but a warm voice sounded behind the ebony and ivory creature. "Severus, don't be rude, she's obviously panicking." The dark prince was pushed aside and Mina found a strawberries and cream princess in his place, Emerald eyes holding her gaze sweetly. "My names Lily, are you alright?" Mina smiled and nodded.
"Sorry about bursting in like this, I thought this compartment was empty and I needed my medicine." Lily smiled and eased back from her and pulled her forward sitting her down beside her friend. Mina remembered her manners. "My name's Mina, nice to meet you." Lily smiled and shot her green, green eyes to her friend. He cleared his throat and shot a cutting glance at her. "I'm Severus." Mina smiled and shifted to her feet. "It was nice to meet you but I should really be returning to my friends. If I don't they will come looking for me." Lily nodded and Severus studied her before looking away. Mina smiled and slipped out of the compartment. She returned to her friend's compartment to find them playing Exploding Snap. It was an easy activity and she joined them with little thought. Before long the train was pulling into Hogsmeade.
The friends, old and new, filed out of the train and joined the others in following the half giant that was calling for them. The group followed him to the edge of the black lake. It wasn't long before they were clambering four into a boat. Mina rode in one with James, Sirius, and Remus. She entered the boat last in an effort to put as much space as possible between her and Sirius. The black haired duo had their heads together whispering and Mina let her eyes wander over the other boats. Three boats away Mina spied Lily and her friend Severus. She waved at the red head that returned her gesture and the two girls looked at their friends only to have their mouths fall open in shock. Remus glanced back at Mina and smiled before reaching for her hand.
The two friends held hands tightly as the boats floated up under ivy walls that lead into a deep underground grotto. When the boats stopped Remus and Mina got gingerly to their feet, hands still clasped. Remus stepped from the boat and helped Mina from the boat. They followed the other first years up the steps into castle. Once inside Mina tugged Remus closer to her and he lowered his head to accommodate her shortness. "No matter what house, we stay friends, right?" Remus smiled gently and raised his free hand to her cheek cupping it gently. "Your like my sister Mina. Nothing will change that." Mina smiled and the two turned to the front as the sound of sharp heels ringing on flagstone drew the attention of all the first years.
The steps announced the arrival of a tall, stately woman. She wore dark green teaching robes with her dark hair pulled into a tight "no-nonsense" bun. Her green eyes passed over the first years pausing on some and flitting quickly over others. As her slightly Scottish voice carried over the students. "I am Professor McGonagall, welcome to Hogwart's." Silence followed in the wake of this and she continued sternly. "In a few minutes you will be entering the Great Hall in order to be sorted into your houses. After which the Welcoming Feast will commence. The four houses into which one can be sorted are as follows: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw or Slytherin.
While here, your house is to be like your family. Everything you do, or don't do, will be tallied and either earn or lose your house, points. You will have most of your classes with your house and share a common room with them. Your dormitories' are also grouped together by house. At the end of the year house points are totaled and the winner earns the house cup until the end of the next year." Her eyes continued to flit over the nervous students before her. "I am sure each of you will do your best and credit your houses. Now, in a few moments, the Sorting Ceremony will begin. You should use this time to prepare." With this piece of advice she returned into the Great Hall leaving the students to their own devices.
Mina took a deep breath and re-settled her robes and reached out to straighten the collar of Remus'. He smiled his thanks but both their attentions were pulled to James. "So what it the deal with you two?" Mina opened her mouth but Remus beat her to it. "Mina and I have been friends for four years. She's my oldest friend and very nearly my little sister." James nodded and turned back to Sirius. "I told you they weren't betrothed. The singles were all wrong." Mina choked and turned red, her eyes dropping to the ground and Remus chuckled. "I'm too sickly for a fiancé or betrothal." Mina's head snapped up and her eyes flashed silver as they landed on Remus. "Don't say things like that Remus." His eyes did not equal his smile but what he would have responded was lost as Professor McGonagall returned. "We are ready for you now."
The first years moved quickly eyes flitting at the students on either side of them. Mina's eyes flew to the ceiling and she found herself mystified by the candles floating there, of their own accord. This fascination was short lived as someone stepped on her heel. She stumbled and would have fallen if not for Remus. She looked up to thank him, only to find him glaring over her head behind her. The snicker behind her explained this; she rolled her eyes to keep from responding. Cloaking her self in that same dignity that Jessinia used to show disdain for those around her, she continued forward.
By this point they had reached a set of stairs leading up before a grand table running perpendicular to the other four long tables behind which sat several adults whom she assumed to be her future teachers. In front of the table sat a semi-high stool upon which rested an old ratty wizard's hat. "Line up along here please." McGonagall's instruction was followed with alacrity as the first-years trotted up the stairs off to the side of the stool where they had been indicated to go. When these instructions were followed, an excited silence fell over all the students and teachers in the hall; a rip opening near the brim of the hat broke the silence. The song was very poetic and the thunderous applause that followed left the first years wide eyed with fear.
The professor stepped forward again and pulled a scroll from her robes. "When I call your name step up to the stool and take a seat. When I place the hat on your head you will be sorted. "Sirius Black." He smirked and walked confidently up to the stool. The hat barely sat on his head before Gryffindor rang out over the silenced hall. The silence lasted for several minutes before reluctant applause sounded from the red and gold table. Sirius found his seat and McGonagall returned to her list. "Mina Chakano." Mindful of her instructions Mina walked towards the stool sedately. She had to hop to reach the seat and when she sat the hat dropped on to her head. It wasn't long before she was seeing the inside of the hat. Biting her lip to keep from scowling she raised her hands and resettled it on her head glaring out at the snickers in the hall.
"Ah... a Chakano." She jumped at the sound of the hats voice in her ear. "Yes... I see it clearly, you have such strength, such fire, such darkness." I don't want to be a Gryffindor, she thought furiously. "Why not?" The hat whispered. "That Sirius Black went there, I don't want to be in his house. I need to avoid him." "Hum… I see, your mother was a Slytherin, would that suit?" Without meaning to, her eyes shifted to the table on the far left where green and silver stood out against black. She shivered as she suddenly felt her beast raise it's head. The animal surged. "I see. You would do well there. Such power and such need within. The house for you will be... Slytherin!" This last was shouted to the hall at large and as she felt the hat removed from her head she slipped off of the stool. She glanced at Severus and Lily before stepping down the stairs and moving towards the table of cheering students.
She sat next to icy blond boy that she met earlier. At a glance he was bored but she read his consideration of her easily. He smiled down at her, his pale blue eyes a compliment to his pale hair. Upon closer inspection it was blonde, not white. He turned back to the sorting and Mina followed suit. It was several names later when Lily sat on the stool. Mina could not hide the hope that her friend would join her. Disappointment was keen as she went to Gryffindor. Twins sorted into Hufflepuff followed this.
Disappointment struck again as Remus followed a Frank Longbottom to the Gryffindor table. Marlene McKinnon was a pretty brunette that flounced over to sit with Ravenclaw. Mary McDonald another blond skipped over to the Gryffindor table. Peter Pettigrew found himself in Gryffindor. The round boy waddled over and sat across from Sirius who raised an eyebrow at his second roommate. A second later James followed him, high fiving Sirius as he plopped down next to him. Alice Selwyn became a Hufflepuff and next Severus was called forward. Mina sat up straighter she could not keep hope from burgeoning again.
Severus looked at the Gryffindor table as he crossed to Slytherin. He sat a crossed from Mina. Adrian Tripe joined Ravenclaw as Stebbins Urquart followed Severus. Mina let her eyes drop to the table and was startled to find it teeming with food. She had just finished putting together a light salad topped with pieces of baked chicken when a cool hand snatched her wrist. She blinked and looked up to find Severus watching her. "I'm sorry." Mina blinked at him. "It's fine." The corner of his mouth jumped. "We can be study partners if you like." Mina nodded a smile lighting her features. "I'll invite Remus and Lily as well." Severus' gaze flickered passed her briefly looking at Lily who seemed to be watching them with desperation in her eyes. "Do that." Without another word he released her and began to eat. Mina did the same.
When the meal came to an end, Headmaster Dumbledore gave his welcoming speech and reviewed several, seemingly common, rules before dismissing them all to bed. The boy sitting beside her, whom she had learned was named Lucius Malfoy, rose and called for the first years to follow him to the common room. As the rest of the first years fell in behind him, Mina held back and caught Remus' eyes. He got the message and slipped in behind her, as both Gryffindor and Slytherin headed out of the Great Hall. Mina linked their arms as she spoke. "Severus suggested that we form a study group, you know, to follow the advice of the sorting hat. Maybe you could invite Lily." Remus nodded sadly. "That would be good I'll let you know at breakfast tomorrow." At this point they had reached the place where their houses separated. Both stopped walking and smiled a bit sadly before wishing each other a good night and following their respective Perfects.
A/N: Reviews warm my heart and hasten this version of shadowed dreams.
-DJR