Quid Futurum (Marauders Era)

Chapter 5

August 30, 1991

-

In the living room, with sunlight streaming in through the windows, Kiera could be seen calmly reading a book and sipping her morning tea with Harry sitting opposite from her on the armchair and sipping his own beverage.

He appeared to be considering whether or not to say something as he was peering at her, opening and closing his mouth, and then looking down at his drink.

She closed her book and placed it on the coffee table, unable to ignore his obvious plight. She then turned to face him and raised an eyebrow inquiringly.

When Harry noticed this, he groaned and turned to face her after setting his cup on the table.

"I'm nervous Aunt Keira."

"Why? What's bothering you?"

"It's just... What if I don't get sorted into Ravenclaw or Gryffindor? Do you think mum and dad will be disappointed?"

Many people were startled that James was truly okay with his son getting sorted somewhere other than Gryffindor as he said, "There's no way that'll happen! I'll be proud of him regardless of what house he gets into."

He looked at her and said, "I'm sure Ruby feels the same way." Ruby could be seen nodding firmly in agreement.

Seeing the look on his face, full of anxiety and unadulterated sadness, she brought him into a warm hug to try to ease his worries and said "No matter which house you end up in, know that they will feel nothing but happiness and pride for you. You are so loved by your parents, Harry. What your house placement will be won't change that."

"You really think so?"

"I know so."

"Can you tell me another story about them?" He asked after a few moments.

She pulled away from the hug and smiled at him.

*Flashback

On the platform of King's Cross Station, mother Émeraude Di Angelo, sister Amethyst, and the stunningly attractive 11-year-old Ruby are pictured standing regally.

Given that the family's members are all extremely attractive, the majority of them murmured, "Pretty."

Seeing herself on the screen, Ruby was embarrassed but made sure that her face remained neutral.

While glancing around, she overheard her mother urging Amethyst to make sure that neither she nor her sister would do anything to damage the family's reputation. And a few reminders about the kind of people she ought to associate with.

When she finally turned towards Ruby, she battled the urge to wince as her mother's hand gripped her shoulder tightly and instead trained her features to be completely expressionless.

She said in a stern tone, "I assume that you know once you get there, Slytherin is the only option. Associating with halfbloods, blood traitors, and mudbloods will not be tolerated and will have severe repercussions."

Everyone who didn't think purebloods were superior looked at Émeraude coldly when she said this.

They found it revolting that some pureblood families are still so adamant about controlling their children, even going so far as to dictate what house they should get into and who they should or shouldn't associate with.

"Yes, mother."

Without another word, she turned on her heel and disapparated. Looking at the spot where she disappeared from, Ruby exhaled a heavy sigh while shaking her head and turning to face the direction of the train.

Amethyst saw her start to walk towards the Hogwarts Express, and she inquired, "Do you want to sit with Narcissa and I?"

"It's fine. I think I'll just find a compartment of my own, though."

"Are you certain?"

She nodded in response, and then the two of them boarded the train and split off.

-

She spent some time strolling and looking through the windows for an empty compartment before finding one at the end of the train. She swung the door open without thinking, stepped inside, slid her trunk onto the overhead shelf, and then took a seat close to the window while simultaneously opening her book to begin reading.

After a little period of quiet solitude, there was a knock, and when the door opened, a pretty girl with blonde hair and green eyes was standing there carrying her trunk and a book in hand.

"Hello, do you mind if I sit here?"

"Not at all."

She then sat down on the vacant seat in front of the brunette after stowing her trunk on the overhead rack. She looked at her and smiled brightly.

"I'm Kiera Coleman, by the way."

She hesitated for a little while before finally saying, "Ruby Di Angelo."

"Do you like to read? What's your favorite book? Mine is probably To Kill a Mockingbird." Kiera asked, curiosity dripping from her voice when she noticed the book the girl across from her was holding. With a nod and gleaming eyes, their conversation flowed from there.

-

When the door to their compartment slammed open and a raven-haired, brown-eyed girl entered, they were in the middle of debating books and suggestions.

She smiled and sat next to Kiera, saying, "Hi, I'm Genesis Holland."

They introduced themselves in turn and fell into amicable conversations with each other when suddenly Genesis asked which house they thought was the best and where they wanted to get into.

Kiera said, "I'm fine with being sorted into any house, although I have a feeling I'll be in Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff."

"Those are both lovely options, but I think it's either Gryffindor or Ravenclaw for me. How about you, Ruby?"

"My family has always been in Slytherin. Naturally, I'm going to try and get sorted there..."

"But?"

"But I'm not sure I'll be successful."

"Don't worry. Even if you don't get into Slytherin, I'm sure everything will be fine."

Ruby simply smiled and nodded, refusing to tell them that being from a pureblood family who takes pride in being Slytherins through and through, failing to follow tradition would have dire consequences.

*End of Flashback

Harry remarked, a slight smile playing across his lips, "You never told me the bit about mum being also a bookworm."

Chuckling, she replied "Well, you never asked." She continued, her face looking downcast. "But she was a voracious reader, just like I am, and that's one of the things we bonded over and spoke about late at night."

Not wanting to ruin the mood, she decided to shift the topic. 

They spoke for the entirety of the afternoon, enjoying their time together before Harry departs for Hogwarts on September 1st.