There All Along

There All Along: Tara Black, the daughter of the infamous Sirius Black, embarks on her journey through the corridors of Hogwarts and finds herself entwined in destiny, in more ways than she even realizes, with a boy named Harry Potter. Determined to make a name for herself, she will have to grapple with the legacy of her father, her family, and the darkness that is slowly rising all while mastering her magical powers. Currently on Book 1 of 7. 

Rating: M for mature. Harry Potter gets dark fairly quickly. 

Author’s Note:  Still hate the summary, and I am working on it. 

To the guest reviewer for chapter 1 on FF, I can't go into too much without spoiling what I have planned, but it probably is going to disappoint you as far as Sirius goes. I wish I could be that creative though. Tara is definitely going to be causing some changes though. Just maybe not too much yet. 

Sorry it’s been so long, between being sick, things going on at work, and my computer imploding, I am very behind where I wanted to be with this. 

Anyway, on to chapter 2!

Word Count: 5,154 

Chapter 2 - Book 1: Trains Rides and Family Reunions

“You are going to want to take a running start at the wall, if you are nervous,” Tara looked up at her Uncle, who was not actually blood related to her in any way or shape but had been there for her her entire life. He was standing beside her with a gentle grin on his pale but handsome face. He was in a pair of slightly worn muggle clothes, gray trousers with a light-yellow long sleeve shirt and matching checkered sweater, warm honey-colored eyes shining at her from a thin, tired, and lightly scarred face framed by soft, graying light-brown hair. There were light bags under his eyes, which was understandable as the full-moon was only two nights ago. 

“I’m not nervous,” Tara stated, trying to appear brave. But she didn’t fool her uncle, nor her mom, who was standing on her other side, pushing the cart that held her new trunk full of her school things and the wicker cage that contained River, her large gray maincoon cat. 

“Really?” Annabelle asked with a smile on her face, “I was. But, you are our little lion, so it doesn’t surprise me.” She lifted her arm to wrap around her daughter's small, purple sweatered shoulders, and asked, “Ready? Shall we take it at a normal walk then, to not attract any muggles?”

Tara shifted, rubbing her red-trainers together in a nervous gesture. “Well…I guess it wouldn’t hurt to go at a run, right?” She looked up at Uncle Remmy again, “that’s what you did, right?”

“Oh, of course.” He agreed, moving to take over pushing her trunk. “Why don’t I go first, and then you follow with your mum?” He offered her an easy grin and started at a slight jog toward the brick barrier. The muggles milling about the train station paid him no attention. Another moment later, and he disappeared from sight, onto the platform.

“Ready?” Tara gripped her mom’s hand, nodding. 

“Ready!” Both took off in a similar jog to her uncle. Right before they were to hit the wall, Tara closed her eyes tightly, unable to hide her fear at slamming into the wall she knew, logically, wouldn’t be there, but her eyes convinced her was.   

A few moments later, her mother tugged her hand and they slowed to a stop. “Wow!” Tara exclaimed, opening her eyes to catch her first glimpse of the Hogwarts Express. It was a bright apple red with billowing steam from his engine at the front that floated along the platform. Tara looked around at the many families gathered, saying goodbye to their children who were either returning to the magical school for another year or, like herself, going for the first time. 

“She is a thing of beauty,” Remus said, pushing the trolley forward while Tara and her mother walked beside him. Tara was still absently holding her hand, practically jumping in place in her excitement. 

“Do you see Dora?” Tara asked, looking around for the distinct bright pink hair of her cousin, “she said she would meet us here. Along with Aunt Dromeda!”

“Well, why don’t we get your trunk into a compartment and then we can look for them, hmm?” Her mother suggested, leading her down toward the end of the station and train. She kept her chin held high and her brown eyes facing forward as several families moved out of their way. Tara paid them no mind either, deciding they weren’t worth it as they threw her mother dark looks. “This looks available. Up you go,” she waved her wand and the trunk and River’s cage floated gently up through the door of the carriage into the narrow corridor, and down until they found an available compartment. Tara followed her mother into the compartment, watching as her mother directed her trunk to the luggage carriers overhead of the plush benches that rested on either side. “There!” River released an irritated low meow from his cage, wanting to be let out.

“Sorry River! I’ll let you out when we get to the school!” Tara apologized, retaking her mother’s hand as she was led back onto the platform that was quickly becoming more crowded as 11 o’clock, the time for leaving, drew ever closer. Remus was waiting for them, a small smile on his tired face as he too ignored the whispers from others on the platform. 

“All settled then?” He asked as Tara let go of her mother and launched herself into him, wrapping her arms around him in a hug, suddenly aware she wouldn’t get to see him for a while. “What’s this?”

“I’m going to really miss you Remmy,” Tara said, arms tightening around her uncle. He returned her hug just as tightly. She stepped back with a serious look on her face, eyebrows lightly scrunched and a stern mouth. “You have to take care of yourself while I’m gone! Make sure you come and bug mum for food, she always makes too much anyway. Plus, she’ll be lonely without me there, so you have to take care of her as well.” She leaned in, a smile coming back to her face, “plus, I left a stash of chocolate frogs in my desk, you have to make sure to eat them before they lose their magic.” 

“Yes, yes,” Remus sighed, a soft smile on his face at the tenacity of the young girl before him. “We can’t let that happen can we. Well, it seems I have been told, doesn’t it Anna?” He directed this question to Tara’s mother, who was also smiling at her daughter. 

“Tara, we will take care of each other as long as you remember to eat your vegetables at lunch and dinner,” Tara scrunched her nose, “and to send us letters. The school will have an owl you can use. You have to tell us immediately what house you are sorted into.”

Tara squirmed, an uncomfortable feeling settling into her stomach at the mention of being sorted. “And…and you won’t care what house I get into? Even…” she shuffled again, “even if it’s Slytherin?” The last past was a whisper. Annabelle sighed, smiling gently. 

“Well, I happen to think Slytherin could use a little shaking up, but if you don't want to be there, simply tell the hat,” A high, sharp voice spoke from behind the group. Tara immediately lit back up, moving from beside her uncle quickly. 

“Well, I personally think Hufflepuff is an excellent choice myself.”

“Dora! Aunt Dromeda!” Tara laughed, attaching herself to her cousin’s side, smiling up at her tall, thin, but beautiful aunt who returned her smile with a small one of her own, ebony hair pulled back in a tight bun from her slightly aged face. “You both came!” Tara hugged Dora who eagerly returned the hug just as furiously. “What about work? Moody let you off?”

“I go in as soon as you leave from here,” Dora replied, “Mad-Eye wasn’t happy, but understood how important this was to me.” She shook her head, “He said he’s gonna have me doing scut work later though, reworking some trackers and learning to set from traps. Honestly, not too disappointed.”

“Uncle Ted?” Tara asked, wondering where the cheerful, rounder man was. 

“He had a news report to file for the afternoon issue. He is sorry he can’t be here and wishes you the best,” Her aunt answered, a gentle smile still on her face. 

Tara was about to say something else when the train whistle blew out along the platform, giving a five minute warning before it left. Tara turned towards her mom, bottom lip beginning to tremble lightly. “Mom!” She launched herself from her cousin’s side into her mother, wrapping her thin arms around the warm figure of her mother who wasn’t much taller than she was. “Promise you’ll write, everyday! You too Remmy!” Tara reached a hand out to her Uncle, face squashed in her mother’s shoulder. 

“We certainly will,” Annabelle chuckled, tears in her warm brown eyes, “but I know before long you’ll see that you won’t need us to write everyday. You’ll be having so much fun with the friends you will make and the classes you’ll be in, that before you know it, you’ll be back with us.” She tugged her daughter just a little closer, “You’ll have to tell us everything. You’ll have so much fun you’ll forget about us in no time, you’ll see.”

“Never!” Tara disagreed, knowing her mother and Uncle, and by extension her cousin, Aunt, and Uncle, were her entire world until now and that her world was about to change. She couldn’t wait to start learning magic, but she was also scared and worried. “Do-do you really think I’ll make some friends?” Tara stepped back, worrying her bottom lip nervously, “that they see beyond my n-”

“Tara Black,” Her mother cut her off, “you are brave, smart, so funny, and many more things. Of course you will make friends. You already have, haven’t you? When we went shopping?” She reached a hand up to cup her daughter’s face, “Our family comes with a history. Anyone worth being friends with will look beyond that and see the amazing girl you are and the amazing friend you will be. Okay?” The train whistle blew again. “Now, hurry, before the train leaves you!” She pulled her daughter in for another tight hug, holding back her tears as she knew Tara needed her to be brave. 

“Bye mom!” She tore away from her mom and hugged her uncle once more and jumped into the compartment, leaning out of the door as the train began to slowly move, “Bye everyone! Love you! I’ll write!” She waved and watched, tears gathering in her eyes as her mother slowly grew smaller, her Uncle wrapping an arm around the woman’s shoulder from the left while Dora did on the right, all waving goodbye with smiles on their faces. She noticed that her mother was crying with a smile, and she took a deep breath, wiping away her tears as the train continued to pick up speed as it hurtled from the station and London. 

I can do this! Be brave, like a lion! She wiped at the remainder of her tears, squaring her shoulders and moved to sit in the compartment she had picked out, stopping in the doorway in surprise at a slightly familiar figure that was already sitting next to the window.

“Harry!” The thin, pale boy with broken round glasses and messy black hair turned towards her in surprise, a small smile coming to his face when he recognized her as well. “I didn’t see you there! Can I sit with you? That’s River making a fuss,” She laughed pointing upwards where her cat had just let out a meow, fussy at being in the cage.

“Sure!” The boy replied, glad to see a familiar face. “Was that your family?” He blushed, realizing he admitted to having watched the exchange on the platform below, not only between her family but the red-headed family that had helped him from before as well. 

“Yep!” Tara said, moving to take the seat across from him. She stood and grabbed River’s cage before sitting down, placing the cage on the seat next to her. “You probably recognized my mom, but that was also my cousin Dora, her mom, and my other Uncle Remmy. Uncle Ted, Dora’s dad, couldn’t come, but that’s okay. Did your aunt and uncle come to see you off? Muggle parents/guardians are allowed on the platform temporarily to see their kids off and pick them up.” 

Harry blushed again, an uncomfortable look flashing across his face, “No. My aunt and uncle aren’t like that. They hate magic, so they just dropped me off this morning before taking my cousin somewhere.” 

“Hmm,” Tara frowned, really not liking the sound of that. His family hates magic? How do they take care of him then? She was about to respond when the compartment door opened. A thin, red-haired boy with brown eyes was standing in the doorway.

“Anyone sitting there?” He asked, pointing to the seat beside Harry, across from Tara, “everywhere else is full.”

Tara answered while Harry shook his head, “Nope. It’s yours!” She offered him a smile that he returned in relief. As he took a seat, he threw Harry a quick glance, eye’s falling to his scar for he looked quickly away, eyeing the carrier across from him. Tara noticed he had a mark, probably dirt, on his nose and was about to tell him when she was interrupted by the compartment door sliding open again. 

“Hey, Ron.” There were two twin boys, definitely a few years older than Tara, with the same bright red hair as the boy who was sitting with them and bright blue eyes. They appeared to be slightly stockier than their brother, but just as tall. “Listen, we’re going to the middle of the train with Jordan, he has to show us something.” 

“Right,” Ron, the first red-haired boy, mumbled. 

“Harry,” the twin on the right said, “Did we ever introduce ourselves? Fred and George Weasley. And this is Ron, our brother.” Harry nodded, a smile on his face.

“Tara,” Tara offered, also smiling. 

“Right,” the twin on the left said, offering the girl a grin, “see you later, then.” 

“Bye,” said Ron, Harry, and Tara. The twins waved and were gone a moment later, the compartment door sliding shut behind them. 

“Are you really Harry Potter?” Ron blurted, his ear turning red as he realized what he blurted out.

Harry nodded. 

“Oh,” Ron said, “I thought it was one of Fred and George’s jokes. They are always playing tricks and things.” He stared at Harry for a moment, eyes locked on his scar. “And…and is that where You-Know-Who-” he gestured vaguely to Harry’s scar. 

“Yes,” Harry said, “But I can’t remember it.” 

“Nothing?” said Ron eagerly.

“Well - there was a green light, I think, but nothing else.”

“Wow,” Said Ron. 

“I’m glad,” Tara said, gaining the attention of the two boys, “I’m glad you can’t remember, that would have been scary.” She moved to open River’s cage, the large gray cat releasing a deep purr as she jumped into her lap. 

“Are all your family wizards?” asked Harry, he wanted to change the subject and was truly fascinated by the two in the compartment with him. 

“As far as I know,” Tara replied, “My mom comes from a long line of wizards, but we don’t see that family often. My mom doesn’t like them very much.” 

“I think so,” Ron added, “I think mom’s got a cousin that is an accountant, whatever that is, but we never really talk about them.”

“So you both must know a bunch of magic already. I’m gonna be so behind.”

“Not really,” Tara offered, “kids can’t do magic outside of school until after they turn of age, and most families don’t allow them to get a wand until it’s time for them to go to school,” She pouted, “Without a wand, it’s practically impossible to do magic on purpose. I begged mom for years to let me have one before I turned eleven. She wouldn’t let me. I know a little bit about potion making, but there’s not much magic involved at the early levels.” She pet River, “I can’t imagine Ron’s family is any different.” 

“Nope, it’s about the same.” Ron agreed, “I heard you lived with muggles, what are they like?” He asked Harry, fascinated as he had never interacted with a muggle before, he couldn’t imagine living with any.

“Horrible. Well,” he shrugged, “not all of them obviously. Just the ones I lived with. They hate me. They didn’t tell me anything about magic or my parents or Hogwarts.” He sighed, “I wish I had three wizard brothers or cousins.”

“Five,” Ron corrected, “I have five older brothers and a younger sister.” He seemed almost sad about that. “I’m the sixth to go to Hogwarts, so you could say I’ve got a lot to live up to. Bill was head boy, he’s already graduated, and Charlie was Quidditch captain for Gryffindor, he’s graduated too,” he sighed, stretching at his nose and spreading the dirt spot a little more, “Percy’s just made prefect, and he wants to be headboy as well. And Fred and George are trouble-makers but they are still really smart. Everyone expects me to do as well as they do, but even if I do, it’s not a big deal as they have already done it.” 

“You’ll make your own legacy. Besides, maybe you’ll be headboy AND captain!” Tara tried to cheer him up, an uncomfortable feeling beginning to build in her belly. She thought about bringing up her family name and situation, to commiserate, but she was scared he would react like others have before. She was glad that Harry hadn’t reacted badly to her name, now knowing that his upbringing had kept him blind to most magical things, but Ron coming from a magical family definitely meant he would recognize her name. And while she got a good feeling from the boy…she could never be sure. She truly understood about wanting to live up to and beyond expectations - her’s were huge. 

“Thanks Tara!” Ron said, smiling at her response. “Maybe I will! I do like quidditch. It’s rough having so many siblings though, you never get anything new to yourself. I even got Percy’s old pet because my parents got him an owl for making prefect.” He reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a rather fat, gray rat. It was curled into a ball and sleeping, tufts of hair missing and its front paw was missing a toe. “Uh, that cat won’t mess with Scabbers, right?” He eyed the massive cat on Tara’s lap that was purring rather loudly, blue eyes locked onto his pet. 

“He won’t, will you River?” Tara assured him, “Leave Ron’s pet alone.” The cat let out a low meow in response, settling in her lap once more. It made no movement towards Ron or his pet, but it also never took its eyes off of the rat that the boy placed in his lap. 

While the trio had been talking, the train had continued gaining speed, quickly leaving London behind and speeding through fields of cows and sheep. They sat watching it pass for a while when the compartment door opened again. 

This time there was a smiling, older rather plump woman pushing a golden trolley on wheels. She said, “anything off the trolley dears?” There was a wide assortment of magical candies and snacks. 

“Yes please!” Tara responded, lifting River from her lap and standing. She moved forward, grabbing a few coins from her pocket, “can I have a sugar quill, a cauldron cake, and some apple rings please?” Tara turned to look at her companions as the lady picked out the sweets, “do either of you want anything?” Harry stood to get some things as well while Ron shifted in his seat, ears growing red. 

“No thanks,” he said, “My mom’s packed me some things.” He said. 

“That’ll be 2 galleons dear,” The lady told Tara, who handed over her money in exchange for the sweets. 

“Thank you!” Tara moved to sit back in her seat, having to push River over who was still watching Ron’s rat. “River, behave or I’ll put you back in your carrier.” She tore open the colorful bag that contained her apple rings. “Apple ring?” She offered Ron one of the sparkling, literally, red and green rings as Harry tried to purchase his candy. “I don’t mind!” He smiled at her and took one of the candies, biting into it and causing the sparkles to burst. 

“Thanks! Wow!” Ron said, him and Tara watching as Harry brought in an armful of sweets, carrying what looked like at least one of everything, dumping it on the seat between him and Ron, “hungry, are you?”

“Starving!” Harry agreed, “plus, I’ve never heard of any of these, so I wanted to try them all,” he opened a small cake shaped like a pumpkin, “you can have some.” He offered both, “wow, this is good! I don’t think I’ve ever had a pumpkin cake before.”

“Are you sure?” Ron asked, eyeing a chocolate frog package.

“Positive!” 

“Be careful with those,” Tara warned Harry as he opened a box of Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavor Beans, 

“Oh yeah, when they say every flavor they mean it,” Ron added, looking at the card that came with his chocolate frog, “ah, already have this one. They have the normal flavors, like licorice, chocolate, peppermint, but there’s also flavors like tribe, spinach, and liver. Fred swears he got a bogey-flavored one once.” Tara made a face of disgust. 

“That’s disgusting! Let me try one!” All three took turns trying the many different colored beans. Tara got cherry, pumpkin, marshmallow, cinnamon, sausage, and dirt. Harry was even brave enough to try a gray bean that she nor Ron would touch. 

They were all laughing at Harry’s red face when the compartment opened, again, and a round-face boy with brown hair and slightly large teeth and ears was in the doorway; he looked like he was about to cry. “Has anyone seen a toad at all? I’ve lost him!” 

“Sorry,” Harry said, Tara and Ron shaking their heads. 

“My gran is gonna kill me,”

“I’m sure he’ll turn up,” Harry encouraged. 

“Well, if you see him…” and the boy left. However, not even a few minutes later the compartment opened again. The toadless boy was back but this time there was another girl who looked about their age as well. She had thick, bushy brown hair that hung down her back and large front teeth. She was also already wearing her school robes. 

“Has anyone seen a toad? Neville’s lost one,” she said. Tara shook her head, not sure if she liked the bossy tone the girl asked the question in. 

“We’ve already told him we haven’t seen it,” Said Ron, but the girl wasn’t listening, she had caught a glimpse of Ron’s wand that he had placed beside him when he had sat down in the compartment. “Are you doing magic? Let’s see it then.”

“Uhhh,” Ron looked at Tara and Harry who both shrugged. “Alright.” he cleared his throat, picked his wand up, and waved it as Scabbers, “Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid, fat rat yellow.”

Nothing happened. 

“Are you sure that’s a real spell?” The girl asked, “Well, it’s not a very good one, is it? I’ve tried a few simple ones just for practice and they’ve all worked for me.”

Tara interrupted, deciding she did not like the girl’s tone, “You aren’t supposed to do magic outside of school. We aren’t of age. You’re lucky you didn’t get into huge trouble.” 

The bushy haired girl blushed, shifted on her feet, and continued talking very fast, “Oh, I didn’t know that! Nobody in my family has any magic except me, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter,” She said, “I was pleased, of course, I mean, it’s the very best school of magic there is, and I get to go! I’ve already read and learned all our books by heart, I hope that will be enough. I’m Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you?” 

Harry looked at Ron and Tara, both of whom looked a little shocked at the fact that the girl had already read all of their school books. 

“Rib Weasley,” Ron muttered, frown on his face. 

“Harry Potter,” said Harry.

“Tara B-” However Tara was cut off before she could finish by the girl. 

“Are you really?” Hermione asked, “I know all about you of course, I got a few extra books to read about the magical world and you appeared in them.”

“Did I?” said Harry, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. 

“Goodness, didn’t you know?” Hermione continued, “I’d have found out everything I could if it was me they were writing about. Do-”

“Who are you?” Tara interrupted her again, trying to give the boy who was looking for his toad a chance to introduce himself, as to stop her from making Harry any more uncomfortable. The heavier-set boy blushed lightly, shifting on his feet. 

“N-Neville Longbottom.” 

Hermione cleared her throat, cheeks pink but continued on, a determined look on her face. “Does anyone know what house they’d like to be in? I’ve been asking around. I think Gryffindor would be nice, but I wouldn’t mind Ravenclaw either. Anyway,” She threw a smile at Neville, not actually waiting for them to answer, and said, “we’d better go and continue looking for Neville’s toad. You three had better change, I expect we'll arrive soon.”

And just as quickly as she had arrived, she was gone with the compartment door closing behind them.

“Whatever house she’s in, I hope I’m not,” Ron said, “what was her deal?”

“Hmmm,” Tara said, “I think she was trying to be friendly. But I didn’t like her tone.” 

“Stupid spell,” Ron spoke again, throwing his wand back on the seat, “George gave it to me. Bet he knew it didn’t work.” 

“What house are your brothers in?” Harry asked.

“Gryffindor,” Ron replied, a frown settling on his face again, “Mom and dad were in it too. I don’t know what they’ll say if I don’t make it to Gryffindor. I don’t suppose Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw would be too bad, as long as they don’t put me in Slytherin.” 

Tara fidgeted in her seat, an uncomfortable look on her face. 

“That’s the house Voldemort - Sorry!” Ron and Tara had jumped in shock at the name, surprised he had said the name out loud, “I forgot people don’t like his name. That’s the house You-Know-Who was in?”

“Yeah,” said Ron. “Every evil witch or wizard has come from that house. What about you Tara?”

“Well…” She began, “My family has been all over the place. My mom and uncle were in Gryffindor, while my cousin was in Hufflepuff and my aunt was in Slytherin. My mom said she didn’t care. I’m not sure myself…”

“Even Slytherin?” Ron balked. 

“Yep,” Tara said, “My aunt is amazing, even being from Slytherin. Her whole family was in the house. Her husband, my Uncle Ted, was a Hufflepuff though.” She tried to smile at the boys, “I want to be in Gryffindor though, like my mom. Hufflepuff wouldn’t be too bad either.”

“As long as it’s not Slytherin,” Ron said. 

“What’s wrong with Slytherin?” A new voice spoke. All three turned towards the door of the compartment to see another group of three that looked around their age as well. “It’s for the most noble and pure of blood.” A thin, pale, blonde hair boy spoke, hair gelled back and a sneer on his face. His two larger friends stood behind him, large and menacing. “Not that you would know anything about that, cousin.”

Tara glared at the boy, “Hello to you as well Draco, it’s been a while. Too bad it wasn’t longer.” 

“Is it true?” The blonde, Draco, ignored her and looked at the two other boys sitting in the compartment, “They’re saying all down the train that Harry Potter is in this compartment. So it’s you, then?”

“Yes,” said Harry. He didn’t like the way the boy had spoken to Tara nor the look he had on his face. He looked mean, and his two friends stood around him like bodyguards. 

“Oh, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle,” Draco introduced, “And my name’s Malfoy, Draco Malfoy.”

Tara rolled her eyes, scoffing while Ron coughed, trying to hide a snigger. 

“Think my name’s funny? No need to ask who you are. That red hair and freckles, and hand-me-down clothes, my father told me the Weasley’s have more children than they can handle.”

“Yes, your daddy dearest tells you everything, doesn’t he?” Tara drawled, dragging his attention away from Ron who was quickly turning red, either in anger or embarrassment. 

“Don’t talk to me, you blood-traitor. Shall we talk about fathers here?” Draco smirked, enjoying the way his words caused her to flinch. He turned back to Harry, “You’ll soon learn that some wizarding families are better than others Potter. You don’t want to make friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there.” 

“I think I can make friends for myself, thanks,” Harry said cooly, glaring at the boy.

“I’d be careful, Potter” Draco continued, a pink tinge of anger appearing on his pale face, “Unless you’re a bit politer to the right kind, you’ll make enemies like your parents. You hang around with this riff raff like the Weasley’s, you’ll go the same way they did.”

Harry, Tara, and Ron stood up. “Say that again,” Ron said. 

“Oh, you’re going to fight us, are you?” Draco sneered. 

“Unless you leave,” Harry said. 

“But we don’t feel like leaving, do we boys? Plus, we’re all out of candy-” He was cut off as Goyle let out a scream as he was reaching for a candy. Scabbers had grabbed onto him, biting his finger the same time River released a loud yowl, scratching at Crabbe. Draco and Crabbe backed away as Goyle jerked his arm, sending the rat flying. All three boys then disappeared quickly back down the train. 

“River!” Tara admonished, sitting beside the cat whose fluffy tail was twitching back and forth and was beginning to lick the same paw they had scratched Crabbe with. “Thank you River,” she scratched his ear and he began to purr loudly, “but no scratching. Is Scabbers alright, Ron?”

“I don’t believe it, he’s gone back to sleep,” Ron replied, taking Harry’s seat where his rat had fallen.
“So, you’re related to Malfoy?” Harry spoke after a moment of almost awkward silence. 

Tara sighed, facing both boys while she remained petting her cat for comfort, “unfortunately. He’s my cousin on my father's side.” She grimaced, “I’m surprised he even recognizes me. I haven’t seen him for ages, since my grandmother died about five years ago. My mom doesn’t get along with the family. Nor do I, in fact. They believe in all that blood purity non-sense. I’m sorry about him,” She tried to smile at them, “I really am! He shouldn’t have talked about your family like that Ron, or your parents like that Harry.”

“It’s okay,” Harry assured her, he nudged Ron lightly, “You can’t help who you’re related to. Just look at my aunt and uncle; Horrible people.” 

“Really?” She looked from him to Ron, who after a moment gave her a smile as well, nodding in agreement with Harry. “Thank goodness!” She sighed in relief, “I thought you would hate me for sure.” She looked at Scabbers, “and I think his whiskers do look a little lighter, from earlier!”