First Year,
Amycus Is a Dick

26 October 1972

Quidditch tryout had been the topic of discussion every day; today was Gryffindor's tryout. Many other students had gone to watch, including Lauren, who intended to play Quidditch next year. She would support her brother, who still tried out even though he'd made the team every year since his second year.

Dahlia used this time to her advantage, visiting the lake when most of the students were busy. Rumours still floated around school, though the subject had changed to her cousin. Aimee was rumoured to be dating Sirius Black; she knew they were good friends, but doubted Aunt Elizabeth would have approved of him.

She wanted to be alone, to enjoy the silence of the lake. She sat under a tree with a sketch pad and pencils, glancing around for the perfect view to draw. She smiled at a pair of foxes, one red and the other brown; she couldn't tell if they were playing or fighting.

Both foxes noticed her coming a little closer, she shuffled back, they rolled on the ground, continuing to play, like they wanted to be drawn. Though her peace was about to be disturbed, she could hear him yelling her name, she didn't look towards him. He snatched the sketch pad from her hand.

"Give it back," she asked,

"No, you waste your time with this pathetic hobby,"

"What do you want?"

"What do you know about Aimee and Sirius Black?"

"I know as much as you do," she said, reaching for her sketch pad. He moved away, flipping through the pages, chuckling to himself.

"You are strange, maybe that's why you're in Ravenclaw, but I think you're too dumb," he smirked, throwing her sketch pad into the lake.

"No, that was my mother's. How could you be so cruel?"

"You truly are pathetic, a pathetic Carrow, a pathetic witch in general." he grabbed her arm, "You sent a dark spell after me, you think I'm going to be nice to you," he winced as the brown fox bit his ankle. "Stupid animal," he kicked the fox, causing it to squeal and limp off into the forest. The red one hissed at him. Before following the injured one away, he threw her back. Limping away to the hospital wing.

She hurried to the lake, fishing her sketch pad out, she gently wiped down her book, all her drawings, some that she had spent hours working on. Ruined. Tears started pouring, and she couldn't stop them, being too far away from Ravenclaw tower.

She ran past Alecto laughing at her with other Slytherins, she raced through the library, into a dark corner, sitting with her knees tucked into her chest, she tried to stop crying. Pressing her wrist into her eyes, hoping to stop the tears falling.

"What happened?" Aimee asked, crouching down on the floor with her,

"Amycus said I'm in Ravenclaw because I'm strange and that I'm too dumb for a Ravenclaw," Dahlia said, she hugged her "he said I'm a pathetic Carrow and pathetic in general,"

"Amycus is a dick, I don't care if he's family, he can't talk to you that way,"

"I have enough trouble making friends when people can't get past the fact that I'm a Carrow, I don't need him making things worse,"

"You don't need family like him, your dad is great, and he is so proud of you," she smiled a little, as Aimee wiped her tears, "Come here, I want to introduce you to someone," Aimee helped her stand up, she walked her over to Regulus. "Reg, this is my cousin, Dahlia."

"I've seen you before, you sit behind me in charms, right?" she nodded, remembering she had drenched him in water.

"Will you keep her company while I go and sort something out." he nodded. Dahlia sat with him, unsure of what to say.

"What are you working on?" she asked.

"Potions, my partner should be with me, but he's gone to watch the tryouts," she nodded "I'm relieved if I'm honest, he doesn't shut up."

"Wouldn't be Xeno Lovegood, would it?"

"How'd you know?"

"My friend said he keeps him up at night."

"I can usually ignore his ramblings, but when I've read the same sentence seven times, I'd rather he shut up," she chuckled.

"I'm sorry about what happened in Charms."

"I got to leave early, so thank you, it's not one of my favourite classes anyway," she smiled he continued to do his work, she borrowed some parchment and pencils, she began to draw, glancing up at her subject.

"How did you meet Aimee?" she asked, not taking her eyes from her art.

"She visited my family last summer, she and my brother are good friends, I'm not even shocked that they're dating," she continued to draw.

"I am, Aimee didn't mention that she liked him," he hummed, "do you get along with your brother?"

"Yeah, we annoy each other, but I know he's got my back for the most part," he sighed "I never expected him to be a bully,"

She had already seen a handful of pranks and tricks done by four Gryffindor boys. Mostly targeting Slytherins, and other students they didn't get along with. Though some of the pranks had led to tears and upset students.

"Woah, that's good," he said, looking at her drawing, glancing up at Madam Pince, amazed by her realistic artwork, "you practise or are you naturally gifted?"

"My mother was an artist, and I guess I inherited her talent."

"You want to go for a walk?" she nodded, helping him return his books.

They wandered the halls, curious to know what happened when they spotted Aimee, Alecto and Amycus being escorted to the hospital wing by Danny. Neither of them came out of their scuffle unscathed. Amycus was much worse than either of the girls.

Dahlia couldn't help the smile on her face; the siblings had always tormented and belittled her and their cousin. It was more satisfying than she'd admit. Aimee had stood up to him; he would think twice before crossing her again.