'Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warning: None for this chapter.
Chapter 17 – Perspective is Everything
For Kate, the holiday was much less traumatic than it was for Sirius. While mother and daughter had not resolved their differences over that particular wizard, Kate's attitude softened considerably upon receiving the locket on Christmas morning. Felicity had parted with something Roderick had given to her many years ago, substituting the original photograph of the two of them to give Kate her own precious memory of her father. When Kate arrived in the sitting room that morning, her mother was sipping her morning coffee and both women became quite emotional when Kate hugged her mother in thanks. From that, mother and daughter found sufficient common ground in stories and memories of Roderick – and their family as a whole – to keep them from the topics that divided them. The respite, however, was a temporary one.
As the time for Kate's return to school drew nearer, Felicity's demeanor began to alternate between weepy melancholy at being left behind and a return to thinly veiled commentary about her daughter finding 'liaisons with appropriate Pureblood partners from the male population at Hogwarts. When, over Boxing Day dinner, Felicity broke their unspoken truce by bringing up her friendship with Sirius and suggesting that it stood in the way of such relationships, Kate found that she had reached the end of her newly discovered tether. Rising from the table, Kate had thrown her napkin on her plate and quit the dining room, leaving a very surprised Felicity sitting at the head of the table, a spoonful of blanc mange halfway to her mouth as she stared after her.
Pulling on her heavy boots and fastening her woolen cloak, Kate ventured out into the cold evening air. Once on the other side of her front door, Kate descended the front steps and began to walk briskly down the well-lit street. As she walked, Kate strove to clear her mind of her mother's single-minded dislike of Sirius and his family and calm the anger it provoked within her. Sirius is nothing like his family, she thought for what had to be the hundredth time since coming home. Mother is judging him based on something that didn't even involve him. As she considered this thought, Kate's pace slowed. Ironic, she mused. Her mother hated Sirius because she perceived him to be as evil and cruel as the rest of the Blacks, whilst Sirius' family seemed to hate him because he was not. Kate shivered as she turned a corner and was met with a sudden burst of icy wind that stung her cheeks and made her eyes water. Turning her back to the fierce gusts, Kate blinked rapidly to clear her eyes. Glancing around, she realized that her pace had brought her to a small, gated park several blocks from her home. Not quite ready to return and face her mother, Kate crossed the street, unlatched the ancient black iron gate and slipped inside. The dense canopy of tree branches partially shielded her as Kate made her way along the familiar path toward a small gazebo she knew she would find at its end. Once there, she dusted off the fluffy blanket of snow covering the marble bench and sat down. Leaning back against the marble rail, Kate's eyes drifted to the sky and the moon. Waning Gibbous. Kate smiled to herself. Astronomy had not been a required course at Salem as it was at Hogwarts. Back then, she wouldn't have known the technical term for this stage of the moon. Prior to her return to England, Kate had only a passing acquaintance with planets, stars and constellations. Professor Sinistra was knowledgeable and passably interesting, but it was Sirius who really brought the subject to life for her. In some of their other classes, the young wizard's excessive energy, aversion to restraint and a lack of intellectual challenge led to inattentiveness; in Astronomy, however, he was like a different student altogether. Perhaps the one gift his family had given him was a strong affinity for the celestial. When their class took them away from books and high up to the Astronomy Tower for their studies, Sirius truly could give their professor a run for her money. Named for the brightest star – the alpha - in the constellation Canis Major, Sirius was the one who told her its history.
"Canis Major is one of Orion's hunting dogs," he'd said with a grin. "Actually, he's the most important one."
Kate looked over at him, his profile illuminated by the bright, three-quarter moon. "And your star, 'Sirius' is that bright one – right where the collar would fall?' She couldn't help but tease him a little. Sirius turned to face her full on, a look of mock horror on his handsome face.
" 'Collar'?! I think not! Sirius, madam, crowns the head of the dog – and just below it – see? That smaller star just there? That falls over its heart." To illustrate his point, he lifted her hand toward the constellation above them, stopping at Sirius then tracing a line to the next star below as he spoke. "Sirius is the largest of Orion's hunters; he's loyal and brave and his heart is very true." At this, Sirius brought her hand to rest on the center of his chest and covered it with his own. The heartbeat beneath her palm quickened. Taking a step closer to her, Sirius dropped his voice to a point just above a whisper. He stroked his thumb over the back of her hand where it still rested over his heart. "Do you know what the word 'Sirius' means?"
Kate shook her head, feeling her own heart rate accelerate sharply.
Sirius leaned in closer. "Scorching."
Kate's eyes dropped to his mouth – his lips slightly parted and his breath warming her face. She began to lean forward before a snigger to her right reminded her of their surroundings.
They looked over to see James and Peter grinning at the two of them, eyebrows waggling suggestively. "Getting a leg up on your homework, you sly dog?" James called over.
Kate gently tugged her hand from Sirius' grasp then stepped back and looked around them. Class was indeed over as the last of the students were filing out the door to begin the long climb down to their respective dormitories. She heard Sirius' soft sigh.
"Very funny, James," Sirius muttered, then allowed his usual lazy grin to slide back into place before adding, a bit louder, "Actually, I was just helping Kate with her Latin vocabulary." He caught her eye and gave her a sly wink. Kate returned it and smiled before turning to fully face the others.
"Yes, a hot topic like that is bound to come up on OWLs this year," she said. "Good night." And with that, Kate had moved toward the stairwell. The last thing she heard before beginning her descent was Sirius' great bark of laughter.
The sound of voices brought Kate out of her reverie and presently, a young couple strolled into view. Holding hands and conversing quietly, the gazebo was their obvious destination and Kate rose as they approached. She was chilled and had been away for longer than she had intended. Smiling at the couple as she passed, Kate hurriedly retraced her steps back down the path, exiting the park and latching the gate behind her. As she walked back toward her home – and the inevitable consequence of her earlier exit – Kate's thoughts turned again to Sirius. She remembered the warmth of his hand against hers, the feel of his lips as they kissed, and in that moment of memory, Kate knew that she loved him - it was as simple as that. An inexperienced sixteen year-old she may very well be, but she knew her own mind and heart. And she also knew that nothing Felicity could say or do would change that fact. Squaring her shoulders with newfound resolve, Kate quickened her steps and soon found herself standing in front of her mother's house. No longer dreading the confrontation she knew awaited her inside, Kate skipped up the steps and slipped into the warmth and silence of the front hall.
"Kate?" Felicity's voice floated down from the second floor and Kate followed it up the single flight of stairs, stopping at the open doorway to her mother's bedroom.
"Yes, Mother; I'm home."
Felicity was in bed, propped up on frilly pink and white bed pillows and covered with a lacy white comforter. Her facial expression registered her disapproval at her daughter's conduct. "I was very worried," she said, her voice somewhat chilly.
"I'm sorry to have worried you, but I am quite alright," Kate said firmly.
"Where were you?"
"I needed some fresh air so I took a walk. I stopped in the little park a few blocks from here." Kate was determined to shut down this topic of conversation as quickly as possible.
"You were gone quite some time," Felicity observed, watching her daughter's face closely. "Did you run into anyone we know?"
Do not rise to the bait, Kate instructed herself. "No, Mother. As I told you, I found myself in need of some fresh air and I suppose I lost track of time."
Felicity observed her daughter silently for a few moments before speaking again. "You have only a few days left before you return to Hogwarts, Kate. I do not want to spend them at odds with you."
"Nor do I, Mother," Kate said quietly. "But you need to understand that I am not prepared to begin canvassing Hogwarts for a suitable Pureblood husband. I am sixteen years old. My friends are just that: friends. When and if I decide to marry, it will be for love – and it won't happen for a good, long while. It's pointless for us to waste time discussing it now, and it only puts us out of sorts, besides."
"I only want what's best for you," Felicity's mouth settled itself in a firm line. "And sixteen is the age when allegiances are formed in our world. You are completely unreasonable about the potential harm that can come from this friendship with Sirius Black."
Kate suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. "Mother…."
"No! Listen to me," Felicity cut her off sharply. "I loved your father dearly and I don't regret for a moment my decision to marry him. That said, what happened to us – to him – on the whim and prejudice of a Pureblood wizard was the most painful thing I have ever endured; it should never happen to anyone again – certainly not to anyone within our family. I will not take any risks where you are concerned. You are to sever ties with Sirius Black; you are not to associate with him. This boy's life is destined to follow a path very different from your own; his family will see to it. No matter what Sirius Black has told you, Kate, his family may be allowing him a little freedom now but he will ultimately go back to them to live the life they have planned for him. No matter what he may have said to you about his relationship with them – he is a Black and he will not turn his back on the status, wealth and privilege that his name assures. He has no future with you; if he has not told you that already, I am telling you now."
Kate's expression was mutinous. "You know nothing about Sirius; nothing at all. He is not like his family; he doesn't believe in all the Pureblood nonsense they spout at him. I've lost track of the number of times I have said these words to you in the short time I've been home. I'm at a loss as to how better to phrase it! He was sorted into Gryffindor, Mother, whilst all other members of his family have been Slytherin. But you are right about one thing: prejudice is wrong and no one should suffer the effects of it. It doesn't matter if you're Pureblood or Muggle or something in between; what matters is what you believe in and how you live. Sirius lives his life very differently than his parents. He doesn't care about status or wealth or privilege – particularly if it's connected to the Black name. I won't discontinue my friendship with him based on your prejudice."
Felicity quivered with appreciable anger and not a little bit of desperation at her daughter's outright defiance. She played her final card. "You will do well to remember that I am your mother and that you are required to live by my rules until you are of age. I pay your tuition, young lady – and that tuition is paid to the school of my choosing. You will abide by my wishes in the matter of Sirius Black or you may find yourself pursuing your education at another institution!" She took a deep breath in an effort to bring herself under control. "It is late; I suggest you get some sleep. Perhaps by morning you will be thinking more sensibly." With that, Felicity reached for the brass snuffer and extinguished the candle beside her bed. Settling herself deeper into her bedclothes, Felicity glanced toward the doorway to see Kate's figure still silhouetted in the dim light from the hall. "Good night, Kate," she added, quietly. Thus dismissed, Kate turned and silently made her way to her room.
After she had closed her door behind her, Kate bypassed her bed and sat down heavily on the window seat. Her shock at her mother's lecture and abrupt dismissal outweighed her anger and, if Kate was to be completely honest with herself, her shock was mixed with more than a little apprehension that Felicity would be true to her word and remove her from Hogwarts. Kate leaned her forehead against the cold windowpane. I can't bear to start all over again in a new school, knowing no one. She knew Felicity would send her to Beauxbatons, her own alma mater. Kate also knew that French Pureblood families were as ridiculously snobbish – if not more so – than those here in England and she had had no desire to put herself in the midst of a group of affected, self-absorbed teenage girls. And even less desire to walk away from Lily, Remus and, most especially, from Sirius. The tears came then and Kate let them fall unchecked, as she could not purge from her mind the thought that this could, indeed, come to pass. After awhile, however, Kate's fatigue – both physical and emotional – began to blur the edges of her thoughts and she realized that she could do nothing productive about her problem without sleep. As she shifted her position and began to rise, a rustling noise caught her attention and she shoved her hand along the gap between the cushion and the wall. Encountering a folded piece of parchment there, Kate gently grasped and pulled it into the pool of light shining in from the street lamp.
"What in the world…?" Kate began, but then remembered the parchment that had fallen away with the wrapping from her locket on Christmas morning. Curiously, she broke the scarlet wax seal that held the fold and smoothed the creases until the pages lay flat. As Kate did so, she found the pages filled with small, cramped writing that she immediately recognized as her father's.
'My darling Kate,
As I write, it's Christmas Eve and the snow is falling. You've just gone to bed – having endured me as I read from our traditional holiday story list. I fear you have possibly grown too old – at the advanced age of 12 – to suffer through this much longer, but I am glad that you've indulged your old Dad for one more year.
You are growing up so quickly – perhaps too quickly. I am very proud indeed of the person you are becoming: strong, intelligent, compassionate, courageous; you will need all of these qualities as you make your way in life. Kate, our world is rapidly changing and lately I find myself despairing of the direction it seems to be taking. I worry what kind of world we will be leaving for you when it's time for you to take your place in it. I wonder if I will be here still to watch you make your mark on our world – and if it will truly be 'our world' when you do. In the event that I am not, I have left this with your mother – with instructions to give it to you when she thinks you are old enough to appreciate a bit of paternal guidance, as I hope this will be. I have not told her the contents and I doubt she would read this on her own; she understands that I mean this to be between us. I would ask that you not reveal – to your mother or anyone else - certain things that I will tell you. I share them with you not to frighten you unduly, but because I firmly believe that I will not be with you to protect you from some of the Dark aspects of our world. This knowledge, therefore, is all that I can give you to help you protect yourself – and perhaps your mother, as well – from certain of those forces. Please know that this is a very difficult letter that I write to you; even more difficult, however, is the thought of you living your life without this knowledge.
Many in our world define value by the purity of blood and the accumulation of the wealth, power and social status they feel is their due. Some of the more prominent Pureblooded wizarding families feel that they are above those whose blood has been 'diluted' over the years. My own family never embraced that philosophy; perhaps it is because in America, less emphasis is placed on ancestry and more on character. I must tell you, Kate, that my parents – your grandparents – raised me to believe that the way we live our lives is far more important than measuring the value of a person by the purity of his bloodline alone. I have followed that teaching my whole life and have never regretted it. I am passing it on to you – not because you behave in contrast to it, quite the opposite. I have seen you with your friends and you already live according to that belief system. I share this with you to ensure that you stand up to anyone who tries to teach you otherwise – and I put no restrictions on the definition of 'anyone'. Those who pursue their thirst for power and position on a platform of Pureblood superiority will call upon the darker side of our world to accomplish their goals. Less courageous believers will allow themselves to be manipulated and used by them until they are sucked into the darkness. Still others will be governed by their own fears and will do nothing to stand in the way of those who would grab power for their own benefit. Even at your young age, you are fair-minded and just – and your blood is as Pure as those who are neither. I implore you to stand firm in your convictions; maintain an open mind and heart to where your convictions will lead you. Do not allow yourself to be swayed by those who would have you embrace their allegiance to Pureblood rule.
Your mother's family, too, is Pureblooded and believes in the superiority of their kind – and their entitlement to information not theirs to possess. While they would not overtly pursue such knowledge on their own, they have an unfortunate history of aligning themselves with those who would. They do not wish to harm you, my daughter; but their shortsightedness may inadvertently endanger your well being. Be mindful of their frailties so that you are not compromised by them. Always be true to your beliefs and to your standards, remembering that things are not always what they seem, and you will never be led down the wrong path.
How I wish that I could see you now – see you as the young woman you must undoubtedly have become. I hope it finds you healthy, happy and secure in the knowledge of who you are…and walking only in the Light. Always remember how much I love you, Kate.
Dad
Kate finished reading the letter and slowly sat back against the alcove wall. She drew her hands over her face to clear the tears from her cheeks. She could picture him in his study, parchment and quill before him, snow swirling against the windowpane as he wrote. Kate's hand went up to locket that rested just below the hollow of her throat and she thought of the picture it contained. Their tradition had, indeed, ended that Christmas Eve. Kate closed her eyes, considering the things her father had told her – particularly those concerning her mother's family. She was hardly surprised, given all that Felicity had shared with her earlier in her holiday. It seemed, though, that even after they had relocated to Salem, her father maintained his concern about the Needhams. Was he concerned that they would learn their whereabouts and somehow harm the family? Kate paused. Or was Roderick simply worried that the Needhams would buckle under any undue pressure exerted by the Blacks to reveal their whereabouts? Either way, it was clear that Roderick's worries accompanied them to America and, given the events that ultimately transpired, they were clearly justified.
A shiver ran through Kate and she glanced toward her closed bedroom door, noting the sliver of light beneath it and realizing that the hallway lamp remained lit. Kate rose from her place, carefully folding the precious parchment as she did so. She walked quickly to her wardrobe, suddenly anxious to find a secure place for the letter until her return to school. Rummaging around inside one of the cupboards, she finally found a small, flat box. Discarding the tissue paper it contained, she gently placed the parchment inside and replaced the cover. Turning to her trunk, she lifted the lid, and propped it open. Kate's hand slipped inside, past the Christmas gifts she had packed for her return to Hogwarts, past her jumpers, her books - until she reached the very bottom. She slid her fingers to the back corner until they encountered a small lever. Kate pressed it firmly and slid the newly loosened panel toward her until a hidden compartment was fully revealed. Into this narrow compartment, she slipped her father's letter, quickly replacing the panel that covered it and then piling her belongings back in their original spaces. Closing the lid once again, Kate sat heavily on the trunk as a new thought struck her. While her father's letter merely supported Felicity's tale of her family's Pureblood obsession – and of Roderick's disdain for it – it also underscored Kate's position regarding Sirius. She closed her eyes and thought back to his words:
"Even at your young age, you are fair-minded and just – and your blood is as Pure as those who are neither. I implore you to stand firm in your convictions; maintain an open mind and heart to where those convictions will lead you."
Kate thought of every word she had ever uttered in Sirius' defense, first to Lily Evans and then to her own mother. Whilst she always felt justified, her father had unwittingly provided further vindication. "…the way we live our lives is far more important than measuring the value of a person by the purity of his bloodline alone." Or the reputation that clings to that bloodline, Kate thought to herself.
As Kate pondered the message her father had left for her, she felt her exhaustion return. Glancing at the clock next to her bed, she was stunned to see that it was approaching 3 am. She rose and walked into her bathroom, making quick work of washing her face and cleaning her teeth. Donning her pajamas, Kate slipped into bed and settled herself beneath the warmth of her comforter. As tired as she was, Kate expected sleep to come to her immediately. Instead, distracted by the images and thoughts her father's words provoked, the first blush of dawn had crept into her window before Kate finally slept.
XXXXXXXX
A resounding splat echoed in the morning air as the snowball caught the dark haired wizard on the back of his neck.
"Moony!" came the outraged cry as Sirius whipped around to see his grinning friend standing several feet away. As his victim bent down to pick up a retaliatory mound of snow, Remus Lupin's voice reached his ears.
"Ah, ah, ah, Padfoot," he called to his friend. "Better look up…" He pointed to the neat pile of snowballs floating gracefully at his waist, held securely by gentle motions from Remus' wand.
"Clever, clever wolf," Sirius responded, dropping his own snowball in defeat. "I bow to your prowess," he added, bending low from the waist.
"High time," Remus chuckled, vanishing his arsenal and approaching Sirius. "It's early for you to be up and about, isn't it? We've only a couple of days left before the new term begins. I didn't think we'd see you 'til lunch time."
Sirius fell in step with his friend and continued to walk with him toward the lake. He shook his head. "No point in sleeping the day away, isn't that what you always tell us, Remus?"
"Can't recall any of you lot ever listened to me before."
"First time for everything, Moony old man."
"Hmm. So, what's brought you from your bed this fine morning? It's more than a desire to get on with the day, I think," Remus nudged the other boy lightly with his shoulder.
The two boys reached the large beech tree under which the Marauders had spent much time during better – and warmer – weather. Sirius leaned down and vanished the layer of snow from a large patch of earth, cast a warming charm upon it and gestured to Remus that they should sit down. They settled themselves and gazed out over the lake silently. Remus knew that Sirius would speak only in his own time and he was comfortable waiting. Eventually, Sirius rewarded his patience.
"Go ahead, Moony; do your worst," Sirius said quietly.
"Well, Pads, if you mean that I should offer my opinion about your plan to rid yourself of Ofelia Bullstrode, I think I shall," Remus began. "Personally, I think James has already said it all, but I wouldn't be a very good friend to you if I didn't at least try." He paused. "You know, of course, that Kate can only be hurt by what you're planning to do."
Sirius sighed. "She'll get angry with me, Remus. You saw her earlier this year after our first Hogsmeade weekend." Without waiting for confirmation, he continued. "Kate will be that angry at the very least. As I told Prongs, Ofelia will know about Kate; that bloody pillock of a brother of hers will have told her. Hells, if he hasn't, it's certain my darling mother will have mentioned her. Ofelia will be watching her, Moony, and if Kate doesn't react the way a jilted girlfriend would, she'll run crying to Daddy and I'll get yanked out of here quicker than you can say, "Hand-fasting"!"
Remus sighed. "Don't you think you're selling Kate a bit short on this, Pads? If given the full story, I think she's capable of playing the role that's needed – particularly given what's at stake…"
Sirius shook his head, jumped up from his seat and stood before his friend, hands balled into fists at his side, his body tense. "Tell me, Remus, when I speak, what do you and James hear? Is it some remote Goblin dialect? Perhaps it's Mermish; is that it? A high-pitched gurgling sound from the depths of the Black Lake? Because I've repeated this story to both of you several times and neither of you seems to get it. I can't risk Kate, ok? I can't risk that she won't be able to convince the Bullstrode bint that I've well and truly left her. I also can't risk that some Slytherin…like Ofelia's brother … might decide that Kate's faking it and go after her to get to me. Do you get it now, Remus? Do you? Because I could really use a little bit of support from my mates here, instead of having to constantly defend myself. To tell you the truth, Remus, between second-guessing every fucking thing I say in London and now, having to explain every fucking decision I make to the two of you, it's getting a bit exhausting!" Ignoring Remus as he called out to him, Sirius turned and ran full out back up toward the castle.
"Well, that certainly didn't go the way we thought it might, Prongs," Remus muttered as he stood and made his way – at a slower pace – in the direction his best friend had taken.
XXXXXXXX
Two days later, Platform 9 ¾ rang with the enthusiastic voices of students as they greeted those they had missed over the holiday and bade farewell to parents and siblings. The Hogwarts Express gleamed in all its scarlet splendor as it waited on the tracks for its passengers to finally board.
Kate pushed her trolley through the barrier with ease and paused to wait for her mother to emerge behind her. She did so after a moment and the two women continued to walk toward the train. They did not speak to one another more than was necessary, their recent falling-out still lying heavily between them. As they approached the train, a very tall, redheaded young man approached them and Kate recognized him as Gideon Prewett, a Gryffindor 7th year.
"Need a hand with that trunk?" he asked, already reaching down to lift it.
"Oh, yes. Thanks very much," Kate replied. "I won't be a moment." With that, she turned to Felicity who was, predictably, watching the exchange with a knowing smile.
"Good-bye, Mother," Kate leaned in and kissed Felicity quickly on the cheek. "Take care of yourself." Kate turned to board the train, but Felicity grabbed her arm, stopping her departure.
"Kate, please," she said, quietly. "I hate for us to part this way. You've barely said two words to me in the past several days. Can't we just put our disagreement behind us?"
Kate looked at her mother closely. "You threatened to take me out of Hogwarts if I don't end a friendship that means a great deal to me. Have you changed your position on Sirius?"
Felicity's eyes were sad, but her face was resolute. "He will cause you great harm, Kate; I cannot change my mind."
Kate shook her head and took a step back from her mother. "Then I have nothing more to say to you." Kate turned to Gideon who was still waiting by the trolley. "Thank you for waiting. I'm ready to board now."
Without looking back, Kate stepped up onto the train and began to walk down the narrow corridor, seeking an empty compartment. Finding one in the third car, she thanked Gideon for storing her trunk in the overhead and settled herself in a seat by the window to wait for the rest of her friends to arrive. It wasn't long before the compartment door slid open and Kate turned to see her best friend enter, dragging her trunk behind her.
"Here, let me help you with that," Kate offered, rising quickly and helping Lily lift and store her trunk next to Kate's. After they had finally secured the item, Lily turned to Kate and gave her an exasperated smile. "I thought these smaller trunks were supposed to be easier!" Kate smiled back at the redhead, her mood improving by the minute. They hugged warmly and fell into easy conversation as they took their seats.
"Mind if I join you?" the stocky form of Peter Pettigrew hovered uncertainly in the doorway.
Lily and Kate looked at each other in surprise. "Not at all," Lily said. "But where are the rest of your band of merry wizards?"
Peter smiled. "They're already at school," he told them. "Something about Sirius having to come back early so James and Remus convinced their families to let them come, too."
Kate frowned. "Is Sirius alright, Peter?"
The boy shrugged. "I didn't get the details. It didn't sound like it was anything to worry about, Kate."
"Why didn't you join them?" Lily wanted to know.
Peter glanced through the window beyond the two witches, his eyes shifting until they landed on what he was looking for. He inclined his head toward the glass. "My mother."
Lily and Kate both followed his gaze and saw a small, brown-haired woman, her plain brown cloak clutched tightly around her pudgy figure, handkerchief pressed firmly to her nose. "She misses me," he finished, rolling his eyes slightly. "This is the earliest she's ever let me board."
Kate and Lily chuckled and Peter joined in as, with a lurch, the Hogwarts Express began rolling out of the station toward its destination.
The young witches spent the initial travel time catching up after being separated for the holidays and Peter was immersed in the chocolate frogs he obtained from the passing sweet trolley. As their journey progressed, however, Lily abandoned conversation for a Muggle novel she'd received as a Christmas gift. Peter excused himself with a vague comment about going to look for a student he'd discovered lived in his neighborhood in London. Kate began to feel drowsy from the combination of the train's movement and the lack of sleep over the past few days. Before she knew it, Lily was calling her name and shaking her shoulder gently. Kate opened her eyes and looked toward the window. It was dark and the train had come to a stop.
"We're here," Lily said, a smile on her face, as she stood upright again. "Ready to go?"
Kate nodded. "Yes, let's get some air," she said, smiling.
The girls alighted from the train and waved to Hagrid as they moved toward the horseless carriages that were waiting to take the students back to Hogwarts for the half-term Welcoming Feast.
"I wonder if the boys will be at dinner," Kate mused. She found that she was missing Sirius quite a bit.
Lily shook her head at her friend. "Kate, when have you known those three to miss a meal?"
XXXXXXXX
The Great Hall began to fill with students. At the Gryffindor table, James, Remus and Sirius had already claimed their seats and were watching the huge double doors expectantly. Neither Remus nor James had been able to talk any sense into their friend, although Sirius had gone to Remus and most sincerely apologized for all that he'd said to him by the lake. Understanding Sirius' state of mind as a result of all he'd experienced over the holiday, Remus reassured his anxious friend that all was fine between them.
Out of the corner of his eye, Remus saw James run his hands through his untidy hair in an attempt to bring some order to the unruly locks. Predictably, it only made the appearance worse, a fact not lost on the redheaded reason for his stab at grooming. "Nice hair, Potter," Lily murmured, sitting in the space the wizard had left hopefully vacant for her.
James just sat there, smiling stupidly.
Sirius' snap to attention was two-fold. Kate had been standing behind Lily and was only revealed after the latter had taken her seat. Regrettably, there was no more space on their side of the table and so, with a squeeze to his shoulder and a soft, 'hello', Kate walked 'round the end of the table and sat next to Remus, who welcomed her warmly.
"Hey, Katie," Sirius said, still staring at the doors to the Hall. "Good Christmas?"
Kate looked at Remus curiously, but at his shrug, she turned back to Sirius and replied. "It was all right, thanks." She refrained from asking about his holiday, suspecting that his abrupt return to school signaled that it had not gone well.
Sirius nodded and continued to watch the door; finally, Narcissa Black and Severus Snape entered, flanking a stunning, slender blonde witch Kate could not remember seeing before. She turned to ask Sirius if he knew her and noted that he was following the trio's progress to the end of the Slytherin table on the other side of the hall. She could not read the expression on his face, but his cheeks blazed with color. Kate leaned across the table.
"Sirius, who is that blonde witch with Severus and your cousin?"
Sirius turned reluctantly toward Kate. "Oh, that's Ofelia Bullstrode; she's transferring to Hogwarts this year from Beauxbatons." He turned back toward the Slytherin table where the witch in question was sitting on the end of the bench next to a young man who resembled her so closely, Kate was sure he had to be her brother.
Kate felt her heart slip a bit. "Do you know her?"
Sirius did not meet Kate's eyes as he answered. "Yes. Her parents are friendly with mine and she spent some time at Grimmauld with us during the holiday."
"Pretty girl."
Sirius nodded, smiling as he did so. "Very."
Kate felt her heart drop the remainder of the way to her stomach, but she was precluded from further conversation as the Headmaster called for everyone's attention from his place at the large podium.
"Welcome back, welcome back, everyone! I trust that your holidays were happy ones and that you've all returned with a renewed focus for your studies." Dumbledore paused, eyes twinkling as he allowed the good-natured grumbling to subside. "Before we tuck into what I'm sure will be an incredible dinner, we have a bit of business to attend to." The Headmaster nodded to Professor McGonagall, who was off to the side of the High Table. Immediately, she came forward, carrying a wooden stool and the familiar form of the Sorting Hat. A buzz arose from those gathered and once again Dumbledore held up his hands for silence.
"We have a new student joining us from Beauxbatons Academy in France. Her family would like her to pursue the remainder of her magical education in a traditional English school and have selected Hogwarts with that in mind. I would like to ask Miss Ofelia Bullstrode to step up to the front so that we may sort you into your new House."
A smattering of applause followed Dumbledore's words, a sound that grew stronger as the male population of students got its first look at the beautiful young woman at the front of the Hall. Ofelia gracefully seated herself upon the stool and sat very still as McGonagall placed the ancient hat upon her head and stepped away. Silence reigned for almost five minutes, during which time Sirius thought his heart would beat right out of his chest. His gaze shifted from Ofelia to Kate and he could barely stop himself from reaching over and taking Kate's hand. Sirius focused on his ultimate plan, however, and kept his hands – clenched together tightly – in his lap. Why aren't you Sorting her, you manky old thing? Will this never be over? Just as this thought left Sirius' mind, the slashed brim of the Sorting Hat opened and its voice ripped through the Hall:
"Slytherin!"
Ofelia rose from the stool, her face expressionless, and returned to her seat next to Arturo.
"There's a real pity, mate," Peter was saying to Sirius as the stool and Sorting Hat were whisked away. "Would have been nice to have that bird in Gryffindor!"
The thump of James' palm on the back of Peter's head was muted by Dumbledore's booming voice from the podium, announcing the start of the feast.
As the food appeared on the plates before them, Sirius caught the confused expression on Kate's face and found he suddenly wasn't very hungry any more. When he looked up and found himself on the receiving end of one of James' angry glares, Sirius decided he didn't even want to be there any longer. He rose, mumbling something about doing some reading before bed.
As he made his way out of the Great Hall, Sirius was unaware that a pair of dark eyes tracked his progress from the Slytherin table, watching until Sirius' figure had disappeared from view.
