Pure blood queen

36.

"Its never been this bad." George said miserably as we sat in the hall after a defence against the dark arts class with Umbridge. "And we've had some shocking teachers." He added.
"I know." I said sympathetically. But I was bouncing. I'd done it! Me and James had done it. We were going to transform today for the first time. Mom was meeting us in hogsmeade this afternoon with snuffles to scare the hell out of him.
"Hey Fred!" I said waving as he sat down.
"Hey!" He said happily.
"Your chirpy." George teased.
"We're going out again" Me and George gaped.
"What?" We said together.
"Yep, I couldn't take it anymore, broke down and he did the same. And yeah we're trying again." I squealed reaching over to take his hand.
"I'm so happ- JAMES!" I screamed jumping up and running to him flinging my arms around his neck.
"He told you then." He said rubbing his face.
"You listened to me!" I said happily. He rolled his eyes but was smiling. I went to sit down bit was intercepted by Draco. "Oh, hey." Waves of guilt pulsed through me. We hadnt spoken in a while.
"Hey, I just wanted to check you were okay." He looked ill. "You know after everything last year, and I heard nothing from you over the summer."
"Draco I'm so sorry." I started, he waved my words away. "I'm okay. How are you?" I asked softly.
"Fathers been put in disgrace." He said quietly.
"For saving me?" Draco shrugged.
"He wouldnt tell me why."
"I'm really sorry Draco." I said hugging him. He sunk into me before pulling away a little sharply, as if he'd break down completely if I held him too long.
"Good talk." He said walking away. I gulped down whatever was in my throat.
"Dont let Malfoy get you down." Ron said from the table. "He's been sucking up to Umbridge all term." Ginny snorted.
"I really hate her, she hurt Harry." I smiled weakly. My owned hand twitched with soft scars of her torture pen.
"Yeah." I said lamely, walking to George resting my head on his shoulder. His conversion with the other two didnt falter, but his hand found mine. It was comfort enough.

~~~

I hung onto James arm. My scarf blew around my face in the brisk wind. James glanced around looking for our parents. They weren't here yet. "What do you think about dad and Sirius?" He asked leaning against the wall.
"I think it's great. They deserve to be happy." I said bouncing on the balls of my feet in anticipation. "But I know mom's finding it hard." I admitted. James nodded.
"I've been thinking," he started. I giggled, he shook his head at me. "I was thinking about going back to Regulas." I frowned.
"Why? I mean it's great. But why?" I asked curious more than anything. He shrugged.
"Recently I just feel like I'm become less and less James Lupin. I just... with the war we all knows coming I just feel that Regulas Black would be more useful." I didnt say anything. "You disagree?"
"I just think that your using Regulas as an excuse to appear heartless, and in your view stronger. Your name doesnt define you, it doesnt make you a different person." I replied my voice Low.
"You did."
"No, I was never really Alice, I was always Dahlia. I just... hid behind a front I thought could protect me."
"Well I wont then." He snapped.
"James! It's up to you. Just do it for the right reasons." I said hotly. He sighed, but his face has softened.
"Sorry."
"Its fine." I could tell something was bothering him, but I knew I'd get nothing right now.
"Hey kids." I spun round engulfing myself in her hug. I patted Snuffles as James hugged mom. "So what have you got to show us?" She asked with a grin. Snuffles gave a playful bark. James grinned at me. We took off our coats and jumpers and focused. Mom had taught us well. My head was clear, just thinking about the form I wanted to take, how i wanted to change. Heighten my senses.
When I opened my eyes I was slightly taller than dad bit smaller than mom. Snuffles was gaping. I smiled, well the best I could. I turned looking in the reflection of the glass of the old pub. I was a dark coloured lioness. I frowned, I didnt even know they could look this way. Mom crouched down.
"This is amazing, I've never heard of this before." She said touching my head. I growled at her but she only laughed. I turned to look at James to find a hyena standing in his place. I gently batted him. He snapped at me playfully. I forced myself back sitting on the floor, I laughed at snuffles shocked state. James came back staggering up right as his back clicked.
"Oh God that was amazing!" I said with a laugh. Mom grinned.
"Feels good right? Itll get easier and quicker the more you practise." I smiled happily. Enjoying dads face while he couldn't talk before the lecture came.