Butterfly In Reverse

Summertime Before Her Second Year

Back at the Burrow again. Sydny and Ginny wasted away their first month of summer drinking lemonade beneath a willow tree not far form the house. They had amended their torn relationship. Ginny had been so sorry about not listening to Sydny; she still would apologize every now and then. But Sydny would brush it off, saying not to worry, and change the subject.

On one such afternoon, after they had done their chores, they took a walk around the country side. It was good to be free from the school. Of course they did have school work over the summer, but they could do that almost any time. Ginny had again, randomly apologized, so Sydny felt the need to change the subject.

"You know Ginny; you don't have to apologize any more. It was not your fault. Tom had fooled you, taken control of you. I think by the time you told me about that diary, he already had a strong grip on you. Now let's talk of something else. Have we heard from Harry yet?"

"Well, yes. Sort of. I sent him a letter, but so did Ron. He sent one reply and mentioned me a little, but that's it," Ginny said glumly.

"Well that's better than nothing."

"Very true. You know I still love him."

"How couldn't you after he rescued you from that awful place."

"I just don't think he likes me very much. And I wish he did. It's as if he doesn't even notice me."

"Maybe he does. He just doesn't want to show it. He's got a lot to deal with. Saving the world from evil kind every day."

This made Ginny laugh, as well as Sydny. Summer was going well. There were times though, when she was depressed. She would think about her parents, and how she missed them. But then Ginny, or Fred and George, and sometimes Ron would find ways to make her feel better. Especially Fred and George. They made her laugh sometimes till she had to run off the bathroom in stitches.

Also, a week into that summer, Ron had tried to call Harry on the telephone. That didn't go over so well. He couldn't figure out not to yell into the mouth part. Sydny had tried to tell Ron that while he was calling, but she couldn't be heard over his voice. But it might have been worth the shot. Ron didn't think it was. After he had called, he almost cursed the phone off. But Molly was around.

When Sydny wasn't doing anything, with anyone, she was often pondering. She thought about her last encounter with Draco. He made her insides curl, made her feel light headed. That could have been because she was almost always ready to yell at him. Or it could have been that she fancied him a little bit. She wasn't really sure. Even if Sydny liked him, her Aunt and Uncle, and cousins, would kill her. He was a Malfoy. He was associated with the Death Eaters. But surely he couldn't be all that bad as her family made him out to be, could he?

Oh well. She would never know. The possibility of her getting close to Draco, and actually having a civilized conversation with him, was near to none. And even if Sydny could, he would not want to talk to her. Then there was the chance of her family finding out. Sydny figured it would be better just to not even think about Draco at all. But that has hard, when images of him kept appearing to her in her sleep and when she was bored. "This must be what Ginny is like with Harry," Sydny was thinking one day. "Oh dear Merlin! I'm becoming like Ginny."

Another thing to keep Sydny busy over the summer was the fact that her Uncle Arthur won the annual Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw. This year it was for 700 Galleons. On the second to last week in July, the whole family left for Egypt. They were going to be visiting Bill for a whole month.

Sydny was glad to be going some place new. Of course, while they were visiting, her Aunt and Uncle wouldn't let her and Ginny into a few of the pyramids. That made the trip a little pointless for them. But hanging out with Bill was fun. They both liked Bill's sense of style, or Ginny liked his fang earring while Sydny liked his Dragon hide boots. Molly Weasley hated both.

While in Egypt they were interviewed by the Daily Prophet and had a picture taken. Sydny stayed out of it, because she technically wasn't a Weasley. By the time the picture was taken, Percy had gotten his Head Boy badge and was gloating about it, showing it off whenever he could. Sydny had gotten a letter saying Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape (reluctantly) wanted to move her ahead in Transfiguration and Potions because they were her best classes. Also enclosed in the letter was a tidbit saying she had received top marks for her year, in case she hadn't found out at the end of the term. But of course, Percy's achievement over shadowed that. And Sydny didn't care. She wasn't trying to be like Percy. She was trying to make it through school.

Fred and George spent the time playing jokes on Bill. Ron was looking for a gift for Harry. He finally selected a Pocket Sneakoscope. It would inform him if someone untrustworthy was around. At dinner one night, it kept lighting up. Bill said it was a cheap thing, but the rest of the children knew otherwise. Fred and George had put beetles in his soup. Ginny was having a hard time keeping quiet about that. The Weasley Clan would have a week before the term started. When Ron sent Harry his birthday present, he said they would hopefully meet up with him in Diagon Alley.

A week before they returned home, Hogwarts letters were sent to them there. Enclosed in one was Ron's permission slip to go to Hogsmeade on weekends for the next school year. And checking in on the daily news, it was found out that someone had escaped from Azkaban. Azkaban is a Wizarding prison set somewhere in the North Sea and was said to be impossible to escape from. The man who escaped was Sirius Black. He was supposed to have killed 12 muggles and one wizard at one blow. The Wizarding and Muggle world was put on alert.

This made Molly Weasley a little uneasy, but she didn't let it show...too much.

"Stay with me Ginny and Sydny. I don't want you two to be roaming off somewhere without an adult."

"Yes of course Mother. We wouldn't dream of going off with out you."

"Right. For all we know that Black fellow could be here in Egypt."

"Aunt Molly, I don't think that would be so. It's a very, very long way away from Azkaban to Egypt. And he doesn't have a broom or wand, or anything. As well, he will want to try to stay low."

"Sydny, dear, I know you are smart, but please. I'm just looking out for your well being. I have seven children - sorry - eight children to look after. Yes I know two of them are adults and quite capable of looking after themselves. But I am a mother. I am supposed to worry. Now, do try to listen to me."

"Yes Aunt Molly"

"Yes mum."

Finally, after a month in Egypt, the Weasley Clan was back home. But all of the children would be leaving in a week. Ron would be meeting Harry at Diagon Alley on the last day before the break ended, so that was when everyone would go and get their things. After that they would take Harry to the train station with them.

Arthur Weasley, having his job in the Ministry of Magic, found out about what Harry had done over the last two weeks of summer vacation. He informed the family that Harry, had accidentally blown up his Aunt Marge like a balloon. Then he ran away from home and has been staying at the Leaky Cauldron. This would make it easier for Ron to meet up with Harry.

When the family did get to Diagon Alley, they went straight to the Leaky Caldron. But they were informed that Harry had left earlier, and was wandering around Diagon Alley. Mrs. Weasley seemed a little nervous about this, but tried to remain calm. They checked in, and rented a couple of rooms for the night. They would leave the next morning for King's Cross station from there.

Before Ron could go off to find Hermione or Harry, and before anyone could do anything really, school supplies had to be bought. Mrs. Weasley said Sydny could go to her vault again while she and the rest of the family went to get Ron's new wand. He had broken last year when Harry and he flew the Ford Angela in the Whomping Willow.

As Sydny was going into Gringotts, she ran into Hermione coming out.

"Oh hello Sydny! Nice to see you again."

"You too Hermione."

"Do you know where your cousin Ron is? I need to find him. And Harry for that matter. You haven't seen Harry either have you?"

"Umm...We kind of just got here half an hour ago. I haven't seen anyone. Right now I'm just getting my money while Ron gets his new wand. So you might want to try Ollivander's."

"Thanks Sydny. I'll see you around later then? Bye!"

"Yea...bye," Sydny said quietly as she walked to a desk with a Goblin at it. Now that the trio was forming up again, she might as well go unnoticed. Separately, they were fine. Together, well together they didn't notice many people. And they were always up to something.

After Sydny got some money out, she wandered around Diagon Alley. She didn't feel like trying to find her Aunt and Uncle, even though her Aunt had asked her to join up with them after they got money. In fact, she felt her Aunt had forgotten she had said that.

As she was walking around, she saw Harry, Ron and Hermione eating ice cream. No Aunt or Uncle in site. Fred and George were off with their friend Lee and Percy was off...Why? What was this? Sydny saw Percy off kissing his girlfriend Penelope. Ginny was probably with her Aunt and Uncle though. Her Aunt had been ever so frantic about keeping an eye on the youngest while in Egypt. But no. Sydny was wrong on that too. She saw Ginny with some other children from her year. And where were her Aunt and Uncle? They were sitting outside the Leaky Caldron drinking butterbeer it appeared.

She decided to 'do the right thing' and ask them if she could go off on her own. They thought it over and finally said she could. Sydny thanked them and left. How strange grown ups could be sometimes; saying one thing then doing the complete opposite. Maybe they felt it was not as dangerous as when they were in Egypt. That's why she was letting them off. Sydny thought for a few minutes about then figured it was best she didn't. She really didn't care anyway. She had free time to herself again.

So Sydny went off to look around. She went into Flourish and Blotts to buy her new school books. She got all her basic books, then for Transfiguration and Potions, she got the third year books. And, just because she might need them, the second year books for those two classes as well. Sydny had sent the letter she had gotten back saying she would take those two classes with the year ahead of her. She had told herself she was doing it because she was good enough to and that it would give her a challenge. But a voice in the back of her head told she was doing it because of him.

She new that her Potions class would be with Draco. And a darker side of her wanted to be with him. She knew she had a crush on him. But the voice in the back of her head was tiny. She pushed it to the side. "Boys get in the way of things," she would tell herself. "Tom got in the way for Ginny and I. Almost ruined our friendship. Stupid boys." This reminded her of something Katie Bell had told her once. Boys are stupid. Throw rocks at them. Sydny giggled to herself. Unfortunately at the wrong time.

"Oh dear. It looks as if Weasley Jr. was an imaginary friend now. Perhaps she's going insane."

"What do you want Draco," Sydny said, recognizing that lazy tone he always had.

"Nothing at all. Just thought I'd poke some fun at you. See what makes you tick."

"My you have some weird tastes in ideas of fun. Tell me, is making a death wish part of your fun? Because that's what you are doing right now by provoking me."

Draco laughed at this. "You? A girl? Try to take on me? Now I know you're crazy."

"Draco," she said in an amazingly calm voice. "Maybe you don't realize, but your goons aren't around. And living with a bunch of boys teaches you a lot of things. Are you sure you want to mess with me?"

Draco faltered at this. "Umm..."

"Well?"

"I have to go. I need to get more... get more...things! Get more things for potions!"

"Get more things. How original. I thought could have at least come with 'I'm not allowed to hit girls'. What a way to back down form a fight. I'll be sure to tell all my friends that you were afraid of sweet little me," Sydny said laughing.

"You'll be sorry for saying," Draco said as he stormed out of Flourish and Blotts.

Sydny finished buying her things. As she was leaving the Apothecary, she ran into her Aunt who was rounding up the troops. They made their way back to the Leaky Caldron to find Arthur sitting at the pub. Ron was already there with Harry and Hermione. Sydny watched as Ginny slid to the back of the group. She was still in love with Harry. Of course Fred and George made a scene about meeting up with Harry again. And Percy tried to show off his Head Boy badge, again. It was going to be long noisy night.

That night after everyone had finished eating, the children went up to their rooms to pack. Hermione was staying in the same room with Ginny and Sydny and of course she was packed already. They heard Ron and Percy arguing over his Head Boy badge (it wasn't anywhere to be found and Ron was being accused) and down the hall they heard Fred and George snickering. In Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's room, they heard a small argument going on as well. But they couldn't really hear, so whatever it was they were arguing about was probably important. The girls shut their door to block out the noise. Hermione began to talk about school as they got into bed.

"So Sydny. I hear you are going to be taking third year Potions and Transfiguration. That's really good of you."

"I guess. I need a challenge for those classes."

"I know what you mean."

"My other classes are good. They keep me busy and they can be a little harder at times."

"You know, it would be wise of you to read through the second year books for transfiguration and Potions. You don't want to miss things from there."

"She's way ahead of you Hermione. She already got them," Ginny piped in.

"Well she is a bright girl."

"Of course! She's my cousin! Of course she is smart!"

"Umm, thanks Ginny for sticking up for me on that. But really. Don't tell other people. They will find out on their own."

"Sydny don't be modest. The whole of our year knows you got the highest marks for our year. Also your scores on Transfiguration and Potions were the highest."

"Yes, but I don't want to draw attention to myself. That's what Harry is for. He gets to draw the attention away from people like me and Hermione. Though you, Hermione, don't get out of it so easily."

"I don't mind."

"I'm going to be bed now. All that food is making me sleepy," Ginny said with a yawn. She was clearly getting bored of the subject.

The next morning Sydny, Ginny and Hermione were among the first of the children up. Actually, they were the only ones up on time along with the adults. If the boys were up, then they couldn't hear them. Mrs. Weasley took the girls downstairs to the pub area for breakfast and was telling them about Love charms she had tried when they finally saw the boys. With the boys up and getting their things together now, everything became a lot more hectic. Everyone seemed busy bringing their trunks downstairs and checking that they had everything all while trying to hold conversations.

Hermione and Ron were arguing about their animals. Hermione's newly acquired cat, Crookshanks, did not like Ron's rat, Scabbers, at all. It was causing a rift between them. Scabbers, had not been doing well since Egypt. And it didn't look like the cat was helping the rat or their friendship.

They all finally managed to pile into the two company cars the Ministry of Magic provided. An uneventful trip it was on the way to King's Cross. Sydny was in the car with Ginny, Fred and George. They told them how they bewitched Percy's Head Boy badge to read Bighead Boy. Something they had done last night when they had taken it. When they got to the station, Arthur Weasley became immediately fascinated by all of the muggle things. But there was a time limit they had to meet. Taking the barrier between platforms nine and ten in twos, they made it onto Platform nine and three-quarters.

Sydny ran through the barrier with Hermione and her Aunt. They were the last to run through. Trunks and animals were packed onto the scarlet train to Hogwarts. Mrs. Weasley gave everyone a kiss goodbye. And As Harry was climbing aboard, Sydny saw her Uncle pull him to the side. She was curious to what her uncle would want to say to Harry, but thought better of it. She wanted to get a compartment of her own maybe. She was getting a little tired of spending all her time with her family (a month in Egypt will do that to you).

As she made her way down the train as it pulled out of the station, she ran into people she knew. How couldn't she? She was after all, on her way to school. She was stopped my Margaret, a girl in her year and House. She was as chatty as ever. She tried to tell Sydny everything she did over the summer in one breath. Or so it appeared. Sydny eventually excused herself, trying to hide the irritation in her voice.

But just as she got rid of one person another appeared. This time it was Amy, again, a girl from her year and House. She was ever so worried about this term. And the essays they had to do over the break. And just about everything else. Sydny got past her by saying she needed to use the restroom.

By the time she made it to near the luggage portion of the train, she was weary from all those talking people. But she was polite and put up with them. She found a compartment to herself. But she soon shared it with Ginny, who had been unable to find her own compartment. Ginny was a little disappointed about having to share a compartment as well. She too, was sick of family and needed a break. Both agreed to pretty much ignore each other.

Around 12:30 the witch with the lunch carte came around to their compartment, but of course Mrs. Weasley had packed them sandwiches. Sydny decided to buy some chocolate frogs anyway and shared them with Ginny. After that they remained in silence. Sydny noted that as their trip to school continued, it continued to get darker as more rain fell.

Around the time when it would normally start to get dark, Ginny got up and left. She wanted to go look for Hermione. She figured that Hermione would know when they were about to arrive. But Sydny knew otherwise. She knew Ginny was just going off to find Harry. And wherever Hermione was, Harry was sure to be around there.

With Ginny gone, Sydny took out her sketch pad. It was filled with half done drawings of scenery, half of a face, lots of eye styles and many roses and dragons. Sydny loved roses and dragons. Usually she would draw a combination of the two, entwined with each other so it appeared as if they were one.

As she was finishing up one of these types of drawings (a blue and black dragon that melded into a black rose), her compartment door slid open. Thinking it was Ginny she didn't bother to put away her sketch pad and looked up to say hi. Only then did she see who it really was.

"Why hello there Weasley Jr."

"What do you want Draco?"

"Nothing. Was looking for Potter, the Mudblood, and your Weasel of a cousin."

"Well they're not here so you can leave now."

"You sure? I saw the Weasel's sister leave this compartment, or rather, Crabbe and Goyle did. They tell me everything I want to know."

"Really? And here I thought they couldn't be any dumber. Listening to you. How much do they get paid by their parents to be your friends?"

"That was low Weasley Jr. I thought you could be a bit better then them. But I was wrong. You are no more then another Weasel Jr."

"Thank you so much. You just made my day. Now please escort yourself out of my compartment," Sydny said trying to maintain her temper.

Unfortunately for her, Draco took just that moment to notice the sketch book in her lap. "Hey, what's that?" he said pointing to it.

"Nothing at all. Just drawings. Please can you leave now?"

"Show me them. From what you are not covering it looks good."

"NO! Draco. Now get out!" And with she shoved Draco out the door. She almost had the chance to slam his fingers in the door as well, but he removed his hand only just in time.

"Damn," she said to herself. She had so wanted to cause him some pain. Or did she? He had said what appeared to be a compliment just before she kicked him out. And she had been a little rude. But it wasn't like he didn't deserve it. He was always being rude and pompous around her and her family and friends. And she absolutely despised being called 'Weasley Jr.'. She was not a Weasley, even if it was kind of in her blood. She was only living with them until she could find a place of her own, sometime after school.

About an hour later, she noted the train was slowing down. But that couldn't be right. They shouldn't be arriving at the school for at least another 30 minutes. Something was wrong. Then the lights flickered out. A sudden chill over came her.

There, in the blackness, she sensed, rather then saw, something there in the door way. It seemed to be sucking away the warmth, replacing everything with coldness and dreary thoughts. And Sydny's thoughts were terrifying for her. The memory of coming home to find her parents dead, practically screaming at the Wizards and Witches who were there to get away. A month of pain. All the bad memories flooded back. And then, then it was over.

The light came back and Sydny was shaking in her seat. Slowly she got up and walked down the aisle of the train. She saw other students coming out of their compartments, looking just as bewildered and flustered as she was. She needed to find someone to help her stop shaking. And as if on cue, the witch who pushed the lunch cart came around handing out chocolate to those children were feeling a little cold. The chocolate helped to bring warmth back to their bodies.

As she walked back to her compartment, to change for school, she wondered about those...things that people said had come. She heard people saying that whatever it was that had stopped the train were tall hooded figures. They seemed to be made of darkness and instead of walked, kind of floated along. All had experienced some form of coldness envelop them. Their description seemed vaguely familiar to her. She remembered her parents talking about some sort of creature like it...If only she could remember.

Shortly thereafter, Sydny was in her compartment with Ginny. The train was slowing down yet again, only this time they were going to be getting off. They had arrived at Hogwarts. Ginny of course had told Sydny of her experience with the Dementors. "So that's what those things were," Sydny thought to herself as Ginny talked. She had learned what they were by the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher who was in Harry's compartment. She was still trying to talk to her as they were pushed off the train by the crowed of people trying to get off.

Being in their second year now, they did not have to cross the lake in boats. They got to take what appeared to be horseless carriages up to the castle. In their search for a carriage, Sydny and Ginny got separated. Sighing to herself, giving up on trying to relocate Ginny, Sydny climbed into the next available carriage. She was followed by Colin Creevy, a boy in her House and year. He was usually stalking Harry with a camera. He was nice, but a little annoying. She had always thought that Ginny and he would have started a Harry Potter Fan club. But that whole incident with the diary last year kind of stopped that.

The last person to enter her carriage was Neville Longbottom. He was going to be in his third year with Harry. He was pleasant enough. A little clumsy, but very nice. He too had experienced the Dementors. Colin listened intently, while Sydny zoned out. She had heard it all from Ginny.

Then, they were getting out of the carriage and she was walking up the steps to Entrance Hall. Now through there to the Great Hall. Finally to be back at a place that was like home. She noted that Professor McGonagall wanted to see Harry and Hermione before they went into the Hall. Ginny caught up to her to point that out as well. Ginny would notice anything having to do with Harry.

They walked into the Great Hall with the floating candles and the enchanted ceiling showing rain. As they sat down at the Gryffindor table, Professor Dumbledore called for silence. As Professor McGonagall was meeting with Harry and Hermione, Professor Flitwick, the charms teacher brought in the First years. The old Sorting hat was placed on the stool and sung its song. It was a new song from the one last year. It describe each house as it dud last year, giving out the best qualities of each. Then names were called out for the children to be sorted.

Sydny remained dazed through out the whole Sorting Ceremony. It had been such a dull day, a long train ride, a scary happening; she was just so tired. She was conscious enough to clap with her table when children were sorted into her house at least. And finally it was over. Harry and Hermione walked in just as Professor Flitwick was taking away the Sorting Hat and stool.

Sydny was hoping to begin eating then, but that was not to be so. Professor Dumbledore had to make some very important announcements before dinner. Usually they were after, but not this year. The incident on the train with the Dementors needed to be dealt with right away. This year there would be Dementors placed at every entrance to Hogwarts. This was because of the escaped Wizard, Sirius Black.

So much trouble over one man. Dumbledore looked slightly perturbed about having the Dementors at Hogwarts. But he did not let it show in his voice. On a happier note, there would be two new teachers starting this school year. Professor Lupin, a shaggy looking teacher compared to all the others, would be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, while Rubeus Hagrid, the Keeper of the Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts, would be the new Care of Magical Creatures teacher. Along with the announcement about the Dementors and new teachers, there were the usual announcements. The Forbidden Forest was forbidden. Rules and such the Filch wanted followed were posted for people to read. And finally Professor Dumbledore made the announcement for the feast to begin.

Sydny didn't realize how hungry she was until the food appeared. Talking commenced and the Great Hall was soon filled with the noise of children talking and eating. The food was as marvelous as ever. Ginny and Neville seemed to be talking to anyone who would listen about their experience with the Dementors. Harry was talking with Hermione and Ron. Amy, Margaret, and Cassandra (girls in her dorm room) were talking with each other and listening to Ginny. Sydny felt very alone all of s sudden. She looked up and away from the people around her.

They made her sad, her friends. They didn't bother to try to include her. But she would get over it. She shouldn't be too upset. After all, she had already heard Ginny's story. And she wasn't very fond of Amy, Margaret or Cassandra. And then, there were Fred and George. They noticed her. They saw her not talking to the people she was around and invited her over to talk with them, Lee Jordan, Alicia, Katie, and Angelina. She gladly got up and talked to them.

The remainder of the night and meal was good. She was happy to be talking to the twins who made everyone laugh around them. Percy, being the Head Boy, tried to put a damper on their spirits by trying to stop them, but luckily he couldn't. The people around him made a fuss when he tried to shut them up. Then the feast was over.

Everyone made their way up, or down, to their Common Rooms. First years were following their house prefects. Everyone else was ahead of the First years. Percy was being his bossy self, trying to get the point across that he was Head Boy. Sydny by now was very tired and couldn't wait to get to her bed. She was tired enough to drown out the incessant chatter of Margaret.

By the time Sydny had changed for bed, even Margaret seemed to have calmed down. She wasn't talking as much. All of the Second Year girls were worn out. Sydny pulled the gold drapes around her bed shut. She nestled down into the warmth of her gold comforter and red sheets. By the time her hade hit the red pillow, she was asleep. It had been a good, long summer. The train ride had been, interesting with the Dementors. Soon Sydny was off in dreamland. Her mind set on her encounters with Draco over the past two days. A smile spread across her lips. Classes would start sometime during the week with potions with Slytherins. Her subconscious knew this very well, and was very pleased about this, sending happy thoughts of lessons with Draco in her dreams.