CHAPTER 1
11th August 1971
Avery Greengrass was frightened. She just got back from sneaking out to see Sirius. She went straight to her room so her father wouldn’t see her. But just seconds after she closed her bedroom door carefully, it swung open. Relic Greengrass was standing there. His face was a mix of disappointment and disgust. Avery assures she’s used to it. Her body is full of scars and marks, but whenever she sees her father make this face, the only thing she wants to do was run away.
After that instant, she already knew what was about to happen, and she was right all along. It wasn’t the usual hexes, whenever she snuck out to hang out with Sirius her dad made Avery “curse” herself. It’s not really cursing, considering that she’s not using magic, it’s more like harming. He makes her cut herself while he stands there, watching as she bleeds. It wasn’t very pleasing, of course, but it was worth it. Because she would do anything just to see her best friend.
Sirius and Avery were best friends since they were 2 years old, family stuff. But it wasn’t the same, because the other people she had to be with because of her family, they weren’t Sirius. They understood each other as if they were the same person. And the best of all was that their friendship wasn’t forced, everything between them was so genuine.
Sometimes she wishes she could run away, but she made a promise to Sirius that they would protect their younger siblings no matter what. They both have little siblings; Avery has Cornelia and Sirius has Regulus. Sometimes they behave badly just to take their siblings out of trouble. Reg and Nelly have a bare body, no scars, no marks, just thanks to Avery and Sirius. So, whenever Avery felt excited to leave home and go to Hogwarts, she suddenly felt bad, because who would protect her little sister if not her.
1st September 1971
The day had finally arrived; she was going to Hogwarts. She couldn’t be more excited. Besides, she was going with Sirius, nothing could go wrong.
As they were waiting in Kings Cross for the train to arrive, Avery and Sirius were talking about which house would they be in.
“I hope I get sorted into Slytherin, I don’t think there’s an option really,” Avery said. “I can’t disappoint my father anymore; I don’t think it’s possible”.
“Yeah, me too. If I don’t get into Slytherin mother would kill me”. Sirius assured, a bit worried.
When the train finally came, Avery caught Sirius looking at a boy from outside the train. The boy was also looking at him. His hair was shaved, and he had a black eye, surely from a fresh fight; he didn’t look very friendly.
“Do you know him?”, she asked. Sirius shook his head.
“C’mon, let’s get into the train or we’ll miss it”, Sirius said.
Sirius hoped into the train and Avery followed him. He guided her into a carriage, there was just a boy in it, the boy they saw from outside.
They asked if they could sit there, and the boy nodded. After that, they introduced themselves.
“Remus Lupin”. He replied.
“Lupin, I’ve never heard of it, are you-” Avery was interrupted by the carriage door. Two boys had entered. One was shorter and had dirty blonde hair and the other had curly dark hair and he was wearing glasses.
“Hello, sorry to interrupt, I’m James Potter, and my friend here, Peter Pettigrew.” The one with the glasses spoke, and the little one smiled anxiously. Then the train began to move.
Ok, Avery though, you’re doing all right, they seem to like, just be nice.
“Which house do you think you will get sorted into?” James asked. “I think I’ll get into Gryffindor; my father was one”.
Gryffindor? Really? Avery said to herself. She could hear her father saying: They have bollocks for brains, Gryffindors.
“I’ll get into Hufflepuff,” Peter said very worriedly. “Oh, c’mon Peter they’re not that bad, besides, you’ll see how you get into Gryffindor,” James said trying to reassure him.
Sirius’s gaze met with Avery’s, they shared worried looks and got back into the conversation. “Err I think we’ll get into Slytherin” Sirius commented pointing at Avery as she nodded in agreement. “Aw, surely not!” James said. Avery raised an eyebrow. She didn’t think Slytherin was a bad thing.
“Well, our families had been in Slytherin for centuries”. Sirius added, as concerned as Avery. “Oh, sorry mate, I didn’t realize. Well, I’m sure they’re a lot of cool Slytherins,” James cheered. Avery smiled. She thought James was the coolest. So confident, friendly, and self-assured. Then there was Remus, he seemed cool at first, but he hadn’t said a word in the whole ride.
***
Once they’ve arrived, a middle-aged woman guided them into a dining hall, and before they entered the witch announced: “Before you can take your seats you must be sorted into your houses, there are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin,”
The woman began to name people so they could be sorted, with a big old brown hat. The first student was a girl named Claire Amell and she was sorted into Ravenclaw. The next was Sirius Black. He walked towards the hat and Avery felt that Sirius was very nervous.
“Ah! another Black,” The hat shouted. “But you’re different, aren’t you?” Sirius was looking at Avery as the hat kept talking. His face was pale, and he was shaking. “Mhmm. ¡GRYFFINDOR!” The hat shouted once more. And all the Gryffindors started clapping and cheering.
Sirius was devastated and terrified. He went to sit at the Gryffindor table. He looked like he was going to be sick. He was looking at Avery for reassurance and she gave an apologetic glance.
After a few more students it was Avery’s turn. She was also looking very pale and worried. The hat started talking. It felt like an inside voice was scratching her head. All you must do is to be sorted into Slytherin, it’s what he wants. She thought. “But it’s what you want?” The hat answered. Avery looked a bit embarrassed; she didn’t know the hat could read her mind, but maybe he was right. Was it what she really wanted? “Difficult, very difficult” The hat murmured. “GRYFFINDOR” The hat shouted finally. She immediately looked at Sirius who was relieved and worried at the same time.
She went to sit next to him. “I’m done,” Avery said. “This is it, father’s going to kill me”
“Mother’s going to kill me too,” Sirius said on the verge of tears.
Then James approached the table. “Hello! Oh, what’s wrong?”
“Hi, well our families had been Slytherins for centuries and we ruined it,” Sirius said dramatically.
“Oh, I’m sorry, but at least you’re together.” James smiled. Then Avery smiled softly.
She admired how positive James was.
Then Remus and Peter came and sit with the rest.
“I’m so happy we all made it!” James cheered. “I told you, Pete, I knew you were going to get sorted into Gryffindor!”
Now Avery and Sirius were looking better. At least we’re together. Avery repeated inside her head.