Honky Cat
Well, I quit those days and my redneck ways
And, oh, the change is gonna do me good
You better get back, honky cat
Living in the city ain't where it's at
It's like tryna find gold in a silver mine
It's like tryna drink whiskey from a bottle of wine
1st September 1972
“Absolute ruddy toerag.” Lily Evans muttered under her breath; orange locks crackling behind her like true flames. She strode through the Hogwarts Express, students moving out of her wrathful path as she stalked down the train towards her usual compartment. “If he thinks I’m saving him a seat, he’s barmy.”
The morning had not gone well, to say the least.
Still, at least her usual spot was unoccupied.
As she slammed the compartment door shut, Lily Evans let out a frustrated yell. Her body fell onto a seat and she crossed her arms over herself, looking out the window towards the station.
In her first year, she hadn’t noticed the divide. The way that all Muggleborns and their families stayed closer to the exits; eyes darting over the station with nerves. Nor the way that the Pureblooded families kept as far away from them as they could. Shooting looks of disgust over their shoulders at children and their excited relatives.
It made her stomach drop.
“Does it make a difference, being Muggleborn?” She’d asked, almost two years ago.
“No.” Her closest friend had lied. “It doesn’t make any difference.”
But it so clearly did. Even to him.
Their friendship had saved her, in so many respects. To know that she wasn’t crazy or some kind of mutant, but a witch - and that there was an entire society of them hidden from others… the relief had been immense.
Through Sev, she’d learned all about it. They’d gone to Hogwarts together. Sat together every Potions lesson, relishing in praise from Slughorn at their attempts. She was certain it was her friendship with her Slytherin pal that meant the old coot thought highly of her. He clearly found her blood status to be of disservice, if his offhand comments meant anything in lessons.
At least he didn’t want her killed for it, like some. Rather, Slughorn seemed to view her as a novelty. A Muggleborn with smarts. An aptitude for magic.
But she was terrified it was conditional on her connection to her Slytherin friend. And she hated that.
She hated it almost as much as… no, she wasn’t going to think of that. Not today. Not yet.
Startling her out of her depressing thoughts - the door to the compartment slid open and a head popped in. A boy, her age or maybe younger. No one she knew.
Strange, though. He looked almost identical to Sirius, save for softer cheeks and much shorter hair. Actually, the more she looked, the more Lily spotted differences. Freckles on his cheeks, a mole below his left eye.
He was definitely prettier than her classmate.
Another head popped in next to his and her eyes widened at the sight of her dorm mate.
Ara Black moved into the compartment a little more, a look of utter relief on her face.
“Lily!” Ara exclaimed happily, glad to see her fellow Gryffindor. “Finally! I’ve been trying to escape the boys all morning.” She groaned, dragging the uncanny boy into the compartment.
“Who’s this?” Lily asked, a curious brow raised.
“He’s the little brother that I’ve been going on about.” Ara beamed, presenting Regulus to Lily with pride. He flushed in embarrassment, awkwardly sticking out a hand. And suddenly it clicked and Lily felt rather foolish.
“It’s lovely to meet you.” He smiled shyly. Lily reached out and shook his hand lightly, wary of anyone that looked too similar to Sirius.
“It’s nice to meet you too.” She replied warily.
“Lily’s my Housemate with the wicked charms!” Ara beamed as she pulled her brother down to sit with her opposite. “Honestly, she’s the Brightest Witch of our age.”
Lily flushed under the compliments, though mildly confused as to how Ara spoke about her. Did she really think that way?
“Did she do the stinging hex to Siri’s..?” He trailed off on the question, though both girls knew what he was on about.
Sirius had put extra sprig leaves into Sev’s potion in class and blown his eyebrows off! So, being the good friend she was, Lily had immediately sent a stinging jinx at Sirius’s face that scorched his eyebrows slightly. They’d looked incredibly odd for a month following.
“That was for a good reason!” She blurted, wide eyed with the panic of knowing that maybe Ara wasn’t actually being nice. Maybe she was being sarcastic since Lily was always so rude to Sirius.
“It was brilliant.” Ara laughed carefree, utterly flabbergasting Lily. “And she charmed it so every morning at six, birds would appear around his head to force him awake. All cause he woke us up by yelling in the Common Room.” She beamed at the girl with pride and Lily flushed under the positive attention - finally silencing her thoughts that Ara might dislike her. She very obviously did.
“Anyone that can keep my brother in line sounds alright to me.” Regulus grinned shyly, and she couldn’t help her matching expression. There was something in the face of the young Black heir… something so oddly familiar and entirely comfortable. As though she’d known the boy for half her life, and not half a minute.
“I thought you’d be more like your brother. But, you’re so… nice.” She smiled at Regulus before turning her eyes to Ara. “I thought last year that you and Sirius were so similar, and now it seems dumb that he’s your twin not this one.” She jerked a thumb in Regulus’s direction, prompting the three to erupt into giggles.
“Sometimes I think Sirius was adopted.” Ara joked dryly, sweeping a hand through her brother’s hair to soften it. Walburga had cut it the day before, shorter than she ever had in the past. Reggie had cried all night. Even now, he wilted as he thought about his hair. “We’re definitely the better looking ones.” She winked at him, prompting a shy smile.
Lily watched on curiously, a pained longing scratching over her heart. She’d never admit it out loud - especially not when she now knew Ara was really trying to get along with her - but she could not help but feel jealous at the love the Black siblings shared for each other.
She’d longed for that with her sister, all her life. But Petunia had never been readily able to communicate love. She had always been an odd girl, always a little abrasive and unable to filter her mouth. And Lily loved her for it. Being the kook that she was, with her old fashioned dresses and interest in cooking classes over Chemistry, and Home Economics over History. As a kid, Lily had dreamed of one day being as pretty and cool as her sister. Even if Petunia had never really liked her, always brushing her off or ignoring her for friends her age. She was five years older, after all.
The magic didn’t make it better. Sev had shown Lily that she was special and Petunia had taken it to heart. If Lily was special with her magic, how could she be special with her silly little hobbies?
Lily really tried to fix it - when she and Sev found a letter from Dumbledore to Petunia refusing her entry to Hogwarts, Lily wrote back asking if she could invite her sister to see the castle. He’d replied with permission, even offering to give her family a tour of the grounds. And she’d honestly thought it would fix things! Not that Petunia would panic that Lily had read her mail and call her a freak.
Sometimes, she really felt that way. A freak of magic, not quite a witch but definitely not a Muggle.
Sighing, she brushed thoughts of her temperamental sister from her mind, instead focusing back on the Black siblings. Regulus had moved to be lying across the seat; his head resting on his sister’s lap as she combed her fingers through his short locks. His eyes were gently shut, breathing soft as his hands found their way to rest on his chest.
Ara looked out the window - a strange melancholy across her features. For a moment, Lily saw her eyes glaze, but it blinked away quickly. Followed by a small tear, rolling down her cheek as she blinked.
They sat in silence for a few minutes, until Ara looked back down at her little brother with a soft smile.
“Reggie?” She whispered to the boy, smiling faintly as he stayed totally still in sleep. Satisfied that he wouldn’t be waking, she flicked her gaze over to Lily. “How was your summer?” She asked softly, a warm smile as she regarded her dorm mate.
It was a little intimidating, in a peculiar way. Perhaps because Lily had never quite track down what Ara thought of her before this train journey. She knew she could be a bit severe about rule breaking, and that she could be a little rude to the boys when they’d hurt Sev - but could they honestly blame her? It was her best friend they were being rude to.
Her best friend that lied to her that blood status didn’t matter. Not like the girl opposite, who’d sat her down in the dorms and explained her family’s skewed views and promised to protect her from anyone that thought that way. Ara hadn’t just accepted her, she’d helped her fit in. Taught her about magic, about things that those who grew up magic forgot to teach. All the while, Lily was insulting her twin and complaining heavily.
Perhaps that was why last year she’d tried to stay away? Too bitter that she could be so tolerated that she wasn’t sure if it was a friendship or not. It wasn’t as if Sev’s comments helped the matter, she thought bitterly.
“Ara, we’re friends, right?” Lily finally asked back, nervously wringing her hands. The look the other girl gave her made her feel like an idiot.
Utter befuddlement at the question, followed by a pained understanding.
“I’ve been trying to be.” She replied, voice still soft. Honestly, if Lily could hate her it would be easier. What chance did she ever stand compared to the gentle and powerful Ara Black? She was pretty and funny and completely kind. Frankly, it was unfair to know someone so accepting and understanding. At least she had some anger issues and bunny teeth; that made Lily feel slightly better about her status as a teachers pet and eczema on her elbows and knees.
“I’m sorry.” She earnestly replied, prompting Ara’s eyes to widen in surprise. “I know that Sev and Sirius’s fighting hasn’t been made any easier by me. And I don’t want to be difficult, I was just terrified that if we lost too many House points it’d get… I don’t even know.” She groaned, burying her head in her hands.
“Do you know why my twin hates Severus so much?” Lily’s head shot back up as she stared at Ara incredulously.
“I thought ‘cause of the train?” She frowned as Ara shook her head.
“Severus knocked me over at the platform.” Lily gasped. “He heard Wally saying something about your family that I will not repeat unless you ask, but was not kind. And he shoved me over in retribution.” She didn’t seem angered by his actions. Rather, as though she approved.
“That wasn’t kind of him.” Lily replied lamely, still stunned that he had knocked over her friend. Oh God, was that why he always complained that Ara was just like her mother and brother? Was that why he seemed to hate Ara the most?
“It’s alright.” Ara shrugged, looking back down at her sleeping brother. He’d turned his head into her stomach, hands wrapped around her arm. “He wanted revenge for what she said, and he was right to. Besides, better me than my brothers.” She shrugged, seemingly unfazed by it all.
“Still, Ara.” Lily frowned. “I wish someone had told me. I would have made him apologise, or… something.”
“He’s your best friend. The entire point is that you two defend each other recklessly and support each other when they’re being a dickhead. I think you’ve proved that this last year.” She grinned, before adding a final line with a shrug. “You just have to know when to tell your best mate when they need to change.”
Goddamn it, she could be pretty wise sometimes. It was always as though Ara knew a little more about what was going on than anyone else. Those big grey eyes would roam over the world as though it weren’t quite right yet - there was something she was waiting for.
“He hasn’t been a good best friend recently.” Lily muttered bitterly, crossing her arms over herself and slumping back in her seat.
“Is it the Slytherins?” Lily blinked back shock. “I have eyes. And I’ve been trying to sort it out.” She shrugged as though it were no big deal.
As though the fact that Ara noticed and so casually said that she was trying to help wasn’t the kindest thing someone had done for her since… well, since Ara had offered to teach her about magical life.
“You don’t have to-” she didn’t get to finish her point before Ara help a hand up and shook her head softly at the ginger.
“I decide what I do.” She tutted with a soft grin. “And I have about twelve years of not doing so to catch up for, so I’m going to hex Slytherins for being prejudiced and I’m going to try to make things easier for you because its unfair that they aren’t.” She shrugged.
“I… thank you.”
“Of course.” Ara offered her most reassuring smile. “Does this mean you’ll study with me again? Pandora and I keep getting distracted by debates when we’re alone.” She admitted with a blush.
“I’d really love to.” She answered honestly, before remembering Sev’s harsh words and sighing. “Sev’s not going to be happy about it though. It… I stopped last year ‘cause he kept going on about how your family is.”
“I figured.” Ara replied kindly. “And I don’t blame you. Honestly, I feel like I’m waiting for everyone else to do the same.”
Lily blanched at the news, absolutely shocked that Ara shared her fear of isolation.
“Me too.” She confessed. “I think that’s why I got so caught up in the House points. I didn’t want there to be any reason for me to get, you know, kicked out of Hogwarts?”
“That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.” Ara deadpanned. “If anyone tried, I’d smuggle you in my trunk and pretend you’re a distant French cousin. Might have to dye your hair for it, though.” They shared a giggle.
“I’m so glad I met you.” Lily beamed, unable to fully express how much this chat had helped her. She could start her second year, knowing that she had two friends in her dorm (she still wasn’t fully sure why Marlene hated her so much) and someone to study with on Sev’s off days. The days when he’d lie that he needed time alone but she’d see him with the Slytherins in the library or in the Great Hall.
“I’m glad I met you too. I have a feeling we’ll need each other to survive another six years of the boys’ feuding.”
For the first time, Lily Evans thought that she might understand Ara Black. It was difficult to do, given that if she was around her twin - the two basically became the same person. But alone, without Sirius’s mass of energy that seemed to infect her the second they were in the same space; Ara Black was nothing like anyone else.
She wasn’t a Pureblood that hated Muggles and Muggle-borns like so many others - including her family. She wasn’t a pranking machine that just wanted to cause as much mayhem as possible. And she wasn’t some unapproachable figure that hated Lily or Sev because of the rivalry between the boys and she definitely didn’t ignore it out of sheer uncaring. It was far more complex and ultimately far more simple.
She cared. Ara cared so much about everyone around her. That was why she helped Lily even though she was rude to her twin. It was why she understood Sev’s actions and didn’t hold them against him (even if Lily definitely would in her situation). It was why she stayed out of the feud between the boys - knowing her presence would exacerbate things, given their first meeting. When Remus was visiting his sick aunt, Ara always made sure he had chocolate when he came back to help him feel better. Put Peter’s origami in random places like a treasure hunt in the Common Room. Kept James from being too big-headed whenever he got something first in Transfiguration.
More than that; she kept their entire year from falling apart. When Marlene would get mad at Lily, she’d calm her down. She’d help Alice find whatever she’d forgotten that day and invited Mary to join her studying whenever she needed company, as if she knew that Mary was getting trouble in the library from the Slytherins. Stopped the Ravenclaw girls picking on Pandora and tried to keep the Slytherins as far away as possible to reduce prank fallout.
Lily couldn’t believe she’d failed to notice it. The mothering of Ara Black that made their school feel complete.
“Are you nervous for his sorting?” She asked to break the silence, hopeful to form a better bond. “I mean, your whole family is in Slytherin except for you and Sirius.”
“I haven’t been worried at all.” She laughed, though her tense eyes suggested otherwise. “Reggie has always been the best of us.” She looked down at him lovingly, before her eyes met back with Lily’s - a warmth she hadn’t received before in the warm grey. She felt a bit like a content cat - full on a bowl of warm milk. It was quite nice to be looked at by Ara Black as someone she cared about.
“Speaking of which, Lily, I need your help with something.”
“Anything.” She breathed in reply.
——
Regulus Black was absolutely terrified. More than that, really. He was feeling so much all at once to such a degree that he needed another nap.
Running a hand through his too-short hair, he regarded the hallway the new first years were all huddled together within.
He stood beside two boys from the boats - the younger heir of the Rosier family, and a Muggleborn named David Moon who had glasses far too big for his face. Reggie thought his siblings would be proud of how nonchalantly he reacted at learning the boy’s blood status; especially compared to Evan Rosier, whose eyes bugged out of his skull for a moment before he quietly whispered to Regulus to not tell his parents about this.
Despite the nerves, the boy hadn’t said anything rude. They’d gotten along well for the duration of the journey - the only issue arising when poor David got a bit nervous at the rocking and Regulus had promised to help pull him out if he fell in the lake.
They’d made it unscathed, arriving in the Hall to see a hundred students staring them down in anticipation. He’d scanned though the Gryffindor table, before his gaze settled on his siblings. Ara had a Muggle camera at the ready to capture his moment - a grin so wide he thought surely her face must be hurting. He couldn’t help matching smile. Sirius seemed excited too, offering Reggie a wave and a wink. Even their friends noticed him - the ginger girl from the train shyly waving and offering a thumbs up.
Unfortunately, having to stand there another minute with two equally nervous boys beside him absolutely crushed his confidence.
Because the ‘what ifs’ were exponential and only growing. What if he ended up in Slytherin anyway? What if he wasn’t brave enough? What if his parents hated him for not being a Slytherin? He wasn’t as brave as his siblings. He only had Ara backing his corner. What if that wasn’t enough?
Especially when he saw Cissa at the Slytherin table with a look of pure terror on her face. She knew. And, well, it seemed any choice he made now would have to be brave. But he’d never been known for bravery.
“Regulus Black!” McGonagall’s voice boomed. Ara locked eyes with her brother, offering a silent nod of support. He half-smiled back, nervously, stepping from the crowd towards the stool.
And thus, the Black twins waited with bated breath for the sorting of their little brother. It took two minutes, Reg’s lips contorting into a frown briefly. He seemed to be in deep debate with the hat and the twins exchanged a look of excitement as the biggest smile erupted on his face. One that was both so utterly excited and yet completely startled. Exchanging looks, they jumped from their seats and yelled out with the hat:
“HUFFLEPUFF!”
Regulus jumped from the stool and half-ran towards the yellow table - cheers erupting from a dozen random spots in the Hall. The majority of students were silent again, shocked at another surprise sorting from the Black family. Ara, naturally, had already worried about this reaction again - having written to her new friends to please cheer her brother no matter where he ended up.
Mary and the others in her year were whooping, parting so Regulus could sit in the middle of their little group. At the Ravenclaw table, Pandora had initiated a cheer in the second years that followed through the whole of the usually quiet House. As Ara’s eyes drifted back to the Hufflepuff table, her classmate Amelia Bones found her gaze and offered a thumbs up and a wink as she wrapped an arm around a boy she didn’t even know.
The Slytherins were silent - Cissa sat stiffly surrounded by Greengrass cousins, barely registering the scene playing out - though that was to be expected. What wasn’t, was that when the Gryffindor second years started cheering; that their whole House would jump up and celebrate with them. Drowning the hall in riotous applause and cheering.
And so, Regulus Black sat at the Hufflepuff table - hearing over half the students of Hogwarts applaud him for something he hadn’t even been sure he would have the bravery to do. His new housemates greeted him with claps on the back and wide smiles and he knew he had found a home. Tears lined his grey eyes as he looked to his siblings with a soft laugh.
He would never be able to repay them for this.
And so, as he looked to them with joy, he made a silent vow. One based on an odd conversation with his father a year prior that he never spoke of, and frankly had no idea how to process.
He would never let his family tear him and his siblings apart.
And so, the solemn promise of an eleven year old boy rippled through destiny.