The Squib and the Werewolf (book 2)

7. Always Pure

After explaining to Jamie that she had lost her job, and that Remus would be joining him at Hogwarts, to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. Raya and Jamie headed up to the attic, to find Sirius's old school things, which Jamie could use, so that they wouldn't have to buy new things for him.
Although, Raya did intend on buying Jamie his very own wand from Ollivanders, so that he would feel like a proper wizard.
"You're lucky your grandmother Walburga insisted on buying her children new robes every year, even if they didn't need them. Because that means we have several options for you to try on" said Raya, as she flipped open the Hogwarts trunk.
"She really bought him new robes every year?" Questioned Jamie, as he began rummaging through the clothes with his mother.

"Yes. She did the same for both Sirius and Regulus. She wanted everyone to know that the Black family was superior to everyone because of their wealth, and the pure blood in their veins" sighed Raya.
"I'm suprised she bought my father new robes, when she hated him" replied Jamie.
"I didn't think you were going to call him your father" frowned Raya.
"Not to his face, as that would be awkward. But I can refer to him as my father, to other people"
"I guess that makes sense. And you're right, Walburga did hate your father. She didn't buy him new robes to make him feel or look good, she did it so that other people would look at her family with respect".

"She's dedicated, I'll give her that" mumbled Jamie.
"Well, she was a Black before she got married, she didn't inherit the name. Both her and Orion were Blacks, which is why their pure-blood beliefs were so strong. They shared a great grandfather; Phineas Nigellus Black, the least popular headmaster Hogwarts ever had" informed Raya.
"Is it normal in the Black family to marry your cousins?" Quizzed Jamie.
"No, in fact, they're the only Blacks to have done so. I can't speak for the other pure-blood families, but inbreeding is not normal. Traditionally parents want their children to marry pure-bloods from other families, to increase their house ties, and to gain wealth and land. You don't gain anything by marrying someone in your own family".

"Marrying someone you are related to, is also kind of gross" commented Jamie.
"Definitely. But the Blacks are not known for their normalcy or sanity" replied Raya.
"We're Blacks" reminded Jamie.
"Sort of. Personally, me and Sirius always thought of ourselves as Potters, not Blacks. Me and you are not pure-bloods, so we will never be treated the same way other Blacks are. Even if I'd had magic, I still wouldn't have been accepted by Walburga or Orion, because my mother was a Muggle"
"I wish I could've met your mum"
"So do I. She would have loved you. But at least you got to spend a lot of time with my dad before he died"
"I suppose so".

Once Raya had found Sirius's 1st year uniform, she handed it to Jamie.
"Try it on. If it is too big, your Uncle Remus will just have to adjust it, as we all know he's a better tailor than me. But if it's too small, you can try on your dad's 2nd year robes instead" said Raya.
Jamie stood to his feet and begain inspecting the robes, as Raya moved over to the trunk containing all of Sirius's old school textbooks.

"What does Toujours Pur mean?" Quizzed Jamie.
Raya frowned and turned around to face him, "Where did you hear that?".
"It's been sewn into the collar of the robes" explained Jamie, as he showed her the robes.
"Trust Walburga to continue making my life difficult, long after she dies" grumbled Raya.
"So, what does it mean?" Jamie asked again.
"It's the Black family motto. It means always pure. Walburga must have stitched it onto Sirius's clothes, to remind him of who he was. Don't worry though, I will remove it before you go to Hogwarts".

"Speaking of Hogwarts, things are going to be different, now that my father has escaped Azkaban" said Jamie.
"Yes, I've heard they are increasing security around Hogwarts. They are even going to place Dementors around the castle" replied Raya.
"You know that's not what I'm talking about. Everyone is going to be talking about Sirius Blacks escape. And since I share a last name with him, all my classmates and teachers are going to know who I am. They are going to treat me differently, aren't they?" Questioned Jamie.
"Yes, I expect they will. But using the name Lupin won't help you, as your uncle is going to be at Hogwarts with you. And trust me, having a family member who's also a teacher, is just as embarrassing. The other kids would tease you for that too"
"Not as much as they will when they find out that my father is the man everyone thinks is a dangerous mass murderer".

"You could lie to them, and say you are just a member of house Black. You don't have to be Sirius's son. There are many people you could pretend to be descended from. The Blacks used to have loads of kids. Phineas Nigellus had 5 children afterall. So, you could pretend to be the offspring of someone else" suggested Raya.
"As the woman who never lies, you're telling me to lie to everyone at Hogwarts?" Questioned Jamie.
"I'm not telling you to do anything, merely suggesting. And you're right, I don't lie, not ever. But you're not me. You're the one who is going to have to live with these people, so the choice is yours".

"Lying never works well. I've seen it, and I know why you don't lie, because the truth always comes out in the end. And when someone finds out you've lied, things go very badly. So, perhaps I should just suck it up, and accept that I am the son of Sirius Black. I'm not ashamed of him or who I am, so why should I have to lie? If they don't like it, then that's on them" announced Jamie.
"Spoken just like your father. And don't forget you will have Remus around to watch out for you" reminded Raya.
"I can't rely on my uncle to fight my battles for me. I have to be able to stick up for myself" insisted Jamie.
"If that's what you want, then tell Remus not to intervene. Like I said earlier, the decision about what happens during your time at Hogwarts, is all up to you. No one can make you walk down a path you don't want to go down".