Marauder Memories

Chapter Fifteen: Pure Blood

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Cherish meandered the shops, trailing after her mother, looking at a number of colorful papers to wrap her presents.

"Do you think the brown paper looks okay?" she inquired, looking at the butcher paper uncertainly. Usually she would have chosen something fancier, but the gifts were mainly for boys, not girls.

"It's fine," her mother replied, busy digging among the bookshelf for a novel her father might like. "But, dear, if you'd like you can always buy one of the silver papers."

Cherish sighed. She'd always gotten a bit of pocket money from her parents, and she didn't really want to squander it on such expensive paper. She still hadn't gotten all of her friends presents yet.

She had chosen a shiny blue butterfly hair pin for Lily, something she thought the other girl would appreciate since she'd recently taken an interest in similar hair pins. For James, she'd gotten him a few bags of his favorite candy, as well as a new cloak that she thought he'd like. It was wool, and very warm, similar to something her dad wore daily to work.

Remus was easy, she'd picked out one of her dad's old novels that was well-worn, and he'd allowed her to re-gift it. While Remus loved to study, she suspected he hadn't read this particular book before, and it wasn't a study book anyway.

"Hmm, what about Peter," she pondered. She supposed the easiest thing to do would be to get him food. She could pick that out later with James, although she thought Peter might also like a new quill.

Sirius on the other hand, was more difficult. He was born into high society in the Wizarding World, unlike her other friends. He would not be as easily impressed and she still wasn't as close to him as James. With James she had years of practice getting him presents.

Hence, why she was looking in a small antique shop. She suspected it might be the only place she'd find something Sirius hadn't seen before.

"I don't think he'd like a live pet," her mother commented, pointing to a small cage next to the shopkeeper's messy counter.

Cherish gazed at the creature. It was quite cute, much like a cat, but it glared back at her with beady eyes and hissed ferociously. She shook her head. "I don't think so."

But the creature's movement drew her to something else. It was a pocket knife.

"Mum, what do you think of this?" she held it up for her mother to see.

Her mother inspected it with care. "Well, it's certainly hand crafted, and very well," her mother conceded.

The shopkeeper, who had been silently dusting until now, suddenly looked up. She had short, graying hair, underneath a small woolen hat, and wore a flower patterned dress.

"That was my son's," she admitted. "He loved to get into trouble, and that knife was made for him by my father. He made it special, it unlocks any door."

Cherish's eyes lit up. "Mum, it's perfect," she declared.

"We'll take it," Cherish counted out her coins and placed them on the counter.

"Thank you," the woman rolled it into a small, deep velvet pouch for her and handed it over.

Her mother bought a novel, and then the pair made their way out to the street. Cherish spotted James almost immediately, he'd grown taller in the last few months, and his hair stuck up worse than usual.

Cherish placed her purchases in her bag carefully, and went to greet him.

"I've never seen you carry a purse," he teased, greeting her with a hug.

She rolled her eyes. "It's not a purse. It's just a bag for all my shopping."

James craned his neck to see. "What did you get me?" he asked excitedly.

She let him open the bag and paw through it. "I already got your present a week ago," she confessed. "But that's Sirius's that you're holding."

James inspected the knife, a gleam of jealousy in his eyes. "Sirius will love it. What did you get for Peter?" he continued to dig through the bag.

"I haven't yet, I'm not sure what he'll want," Cherish replied as James inspected a bottle of perfume. "That's for my mum," she clarified at his raised eyebrow. "And the hair pin is for Lily."

James's eyebrows rose further. "You bought something for Lily?" his voice took on an odd tone.

Now it was Cherish's turn to look skeptical. "Yeah, she's my friend. Why?"

James shrugged, carefully averting his eyes. "I just don't see you talk to her much."

"I share a dorm with her," Cherish pointed out. "And boys aren't allowed in my dormitory, remember?" She shoved him gently. "I like her a lot."

"I think I'll get Sirius some posters for his favorite band," James said. "I'm not sure what Peter would like. Maybe a remembrall?"

"Hmm..." Cherish dragged him into a shop. "I was thinking he might like a new quill."

James picked up a decent, black feathered quill. "I guess. Why not get him something like the knife you got Sirius?"

Cherish shrugged. "I don't think Peter's that kind of guy. Besides, that knife is one of a kind. Peter's easier to impress."

"What do you suggest, then?" James asked, looking around at the shops.

Cherish cast a glance around and paused. "What about a sampler of chocolates, and you can get him the quill." She picked up a bottle of blue ink, "And this."

James agreed and paid for the things. "I've got to head into one of those shops," he gestured vaguely. "I'll meet you in the bookstore in ten."

"What for?" Cherish asked, taking the chocolates from him.

James winked mischievously. "I've got to get you a present, haven't I?"

Cherish blinked at him, surprised. James laughed and jogged off, leaving her to explore the books on her own. She had picked out another title for Remus, something more modern that he might like - it was very popular with the other teens her age and she knew he often got second hand books.

James seemed distracted as he ordered his usual ice cream, and he wasn't as talkative as he might have been on a normal day.

She glanced at James over ice cream, and tapped her spoon thoughtfully on the cup. "Do you think you'll invite Sirius over later this week?"

James started, looking away from the blank spot on the wall he'd been studying. "What?"

"Sirius," she repeated. "Later this week?"

"I dunno," James shrugged. "His parents are always difficult, especially his mother." James made a face.

Cherish stood on the doorstep, her gray cloak covered in snow, and her hat shielding her from the worst of the snowstorm. She had braided her hair down her back, and clutched a paper wrapped present in her hands.

Gathering her courage, she stepped forward and knocked on the door.

There was silence, and then a slight scuffling noise. A pale house elf emerged from the shadowed doorway and gave her a very long look with his beady eyes.

"Who is it, Kreacher?" the cold tone of Mrs. Black came from the doorway. Cherish shuddered and braced herself.

The elf stared at her. "A girl," he croaked back. "From Hogwarts."

In a rustling of skirts, Mrs. Black appeared in the doorway. She was a fierce looking woman, with black hair pinned up in a tight bun, and a long red dress with a collar buttoned up to her neck.

She was a very rich, very traditional woman. Her brown eyes narrowed. "Who are you?" she asked.

"Cherish Meadowes," the girl replied, meeting the strict woman's eyes even though she was trembling in her boots.

"Hm," the woman opened the door, reluctantly. "Fetch Sirius." The order was for the house elf, who immediately bowed low and scampered off.

"Well, come along," the woman allowed her to enter and slip off her boots. "My son has told me little about you. But I can see you're high-bred and born, not like some of the other riff raff he wastes his time on."

"Thank you," Cherish decided it was best to hold her tongue. "Your dress looks lovely."

Walburga shot her a look of surprise. "This old thing, it's nothing." She looked pleased all the same, and Cherish bit her lip to keep from saying anything further. Although she often did not use it, she knew how to engage in women's gossip like the other high born women.

"You're a skinny thing, but you're young," Walburga studied the young girl's figure for a moment. "You would be good for having sons all the same, no doubt your blood is pure."

Cherish ground her teeth, and smiled even though her mind reeled.

Sirius appeared in the doorway, his gray eyes cold, and his brother emerged at his shoulder. Cherish was shocked at the similarity, even though she'd met his brother at Hogwarts.

Their resemblance was uncanny. Eyes of stormy gray framed by long lashes. Long, dark locks that made them look high bred. High cheekbones on ivory skin, and broad brow. Regulus looked as handsome as his brother, although he had a thinner frame, and was shorter by a few inches.

Sirius glanced to his mother. "Yes, mother?"

"This girl is here to see you," she nodded to indicate Cherish.

Sirius kept his face neutral. "I'll see what she wants." Walburga looked displeased, but it was clear that she had been dismissed by her eldest son.

"Come along, Regulus, we must see about your riding lessons," Walburga led her younger son away. Before the door closed, Cherish saw the look of curiosity that Regulus shot her.

Sirius's eyes softened instantly. "Cher," he walked to her side. "What are you doing here?" She threw her arms around him and he hugged her back stiffly.

"Delivering your present," Cherish pulled out the brown package, neatly wrapped.

Sirius's eyes lit up briefly. "Look, we can't be seen together. Not now at least," he added, seeing the hurt look cross her face. "My mother is trying to set me up."

"With who?" Cherish felt a flash of fury burn within her.

Sirius rolled his eyes in a quick motion, almost effortless. "My third cousin or something." Cherish noticed dark circles under his eyes, much like Remus constantly wore.

"You're going to marry your own cousin?" Cherish challenged, her eyes widening in horror.

Sirius scoffed softly, rolling his eyes. "I have no intention of marrying my spoiled brat of a cousin," he replied in a low voice. "But I've got to play along. Besides, you aren't going to marry James." His lips quirked into a small smile.

"How do you know about that?" Cherish asked in a hushed voice, shocked.

Sirius tensed at the sound of his mother's heels returning. He leaned in and whispered, "My blood is as pure as yours, Cher. I know these things."

Cherish looked at her lap, stunned into silence. Sirius looked at her with an intensity in his eyes. "How do you know I won't marry him?"

Sirius wrinkled his nose. "Because you don't like him like that, it'd be weird." His face returned to its stony mask as his mother entered the room again.

"Sirius, I expect your visit has gone well. Are you ready for your riding lessons?" his mother inclined her head to Regulus who was dressed in his well polished uniform.

"Nearly," Sirius said. "I'll see you at school, Cherish." He hurried away to grab his own things.

Left alone in the room with Walburga and Regulus, Cherish shifted uncomfortably. However, she was relieved when Walburga went into the kitchen to speak to Kreacher.

She shot a glance at Regulus. "What?" the younger Black's voice was warmer than she expected.

"I thought you would hate me, given our differences," Cherish said.

Regulus tilted his chin up slightly. "That may be so, but you're a decent person. Even if you don't share my family's beliefs yet." He looked every bit the proper high born son that Cherish supposed he was raised to be.

Cherish was about to respond when Walburga returned with Kreacher in toe, and Sirius strode into the room, fastening the last strap on his sleeve.

"Kreacher will see you out," Walburga instructed, and turned towards the fireplace. Regulus stepped up first, shouting into the emerald flames.

Walburga went next, vanishing into the flames after her son. Sirius was last, and he gave her a long, calculated look before he shouted into the fire as well.

Kreacher looked at Cherish expectantly, and she saw herself to the door. "Thank you." Kreacher looked a bit surprised, but his instinct won over and he gave a short bow.

"How was it?" James called from the kitchen as Cherish stepped from the fire.

Cherish hung her cloak up and took her time before answering. "His mother is a terrifying woman."

"So, not well," James stated, spreading frosting on the sheet of cake he was working on.

"No," Cherish replied tensely. James began rolling the cake into a log-shape, but he paused to give her a puzzled look. When she didn't elaborate, he pointed his wand at the tea kettle and filled it with water, placing it on the stove.

"Something is bothering you."

He placed the cake roll aside. Pulling tea leaves from the canister, he placed them into two mugs.

Cherish still said nothing, but she accepted a steaming mug from him when the kettle whistled.

"What happened?" James asked, sitting down on the floor cross legged.

Cherish remained where she stood, clutching her cup of tea, her eyes downcast.

"Sirius doesn't have a good home life," she said finally, her voice strained. James didn't answer right away, tapping a finger on the brim of his tea and then taking his time adding a sugar and stirring.

James sighed. "I know, but he has us."

"Have you met his family?" Cherish asked in a trembling voice. "They're awful." Her eyes begged him to understand. All she could see were the cold eyes of Mrs. Black and the indifference that Regulus showed even though he was very polite on the outside to her.

"I know," James repeated. "My family is a bit shunned by them, but I've still met several of them. Dark, the lot of them."

"You don't think this influences Sirius at all?" Cherish asked.

James sipped his tea and thought for a moment. "It does, but we're his family as well. You have to remember that."

"I guess," Cherish muttered into her tea. " I just..." she trailed off, but James knew her so well that she didn't really need to finish the thought aloud.

"He'll be here in a few days," James added hopefully. "That will be good for him."

She nodded, not looking entirely too convinced. "I worry about him."

"So do I," James replied, then hastily changed the subject to the amount of homework they would be facing with the coming term.

"Sirius!" the cry went up before the emerald flames at his feet had died down. In a flash of blonde hair, Sirius felt two arms around his neck, feeling as though they might strangle him.

"Ow, gerroff," he managed to push Cherish back far enough to stop her from crushing his windpipe. "I can't breathe."

She released him immediately. "Sorry."

Dorea Potter smiled at the two's exchange. "Sirius, you look thin, dear."

Cherish looked at him for a moment, having released him. Sirius was indeed skinnier than usual, his pale face more taunt than usual. Her eyes flashed to his collarbone mostly hidden by his cloak, where a fading bruise was prominent.

He noticed her gaze and pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders. "How are you, Cher?" his eyes looked glazed, but he seemed to shake it off.

"I'm fine, you know that," she ruffled his hair. "I'll grab you something to eat, Dora's right, you look like a skeleton," but the smile on her face dropped the moment she made it to the kitchen.

She pulled out the makings for a sandwich and had her hands clenched on the counter when someone else entered the kitchen. She spun around and was faced with Dorea, who gave her a thin smile, which brightened at the sound of the two boys chattering animately.

"You know, I always wanted another child," she said, pulling out bread and flicking her wand so that fruit sliced itself.

Cherish didn't know what to say. "Dora, I-"

Dorea smiled. "You and Sirius are like my adopted children," she hugged Cherish. "Not that your mother isn't a lovely woman. But well," her hazel eyes twinkled, but her voice was wistful. "I've always wanted a girl, living in this house full of men does get tiring sometimes."

"Sirius isn't being mistreated, is he?" Dora's voice grew crisp now, more to the point. "You would tell me, right?"

"I would," Cherish answered honestly. "I know he and his parents have never quite seen eye to eye."

Dorea gave a low sigh. "I suspected as much." She shook her head. "You know, Daniel has really taken to that dog." She nodded to her husband out the window who was working with the horses. That floppy eared pup was right by his side.

"You can keep him," Cherish smiled. "I was worried he'd end up in Hagrid's hut if we didn't find him a good home. His dog, Fang, is just a puppy but is massive."

"Oh, I can only imagine," Dorea laughed. She pulled the kettle for tea and levitated all of the necessities onto a tray. "I expect you and the boys have plenty of catching up to do, so I'll let you take that up to them."

"Thank you," Cherish took the tray and balanced it delicately. She made her way up the stairwell, to where the two boys were in James's bedroom both chattering about Quidditch.