The pressured had become overwhelming. The rest of the Greengrasses had traveled to Romania to meet a prospective betrothal for Vee’s older sister, which had left the younger one with far too much time on her hands and way too much time to think. At this point, it had been several weeks since the discovery of her betrothal to one Sirius Black and his parents had still not told him the news. The idea that they were going back on their agreement was eating Vee alive. She was at her breaking point. “There. We’ll see what they think about that,” she huffed as the scissors sliced through the hair she’d been growing for years.
Regulus gives a sympathetic grimace. He didn’t have any sisters, but the times he had to accompany any of the women in his life while shopping left him in something close to pain. Especially his mother. He cringes inwardly at the memories and shakes them off. “You could always skip out,” he says. “I won’t tell her if you accidentally fall into the floo network and find yourself back at home.”
“She can’t exactly fault me for fraternizing with another pureblood family, can she? I mean, isn’t that exactly what we’re meant to do? Get together, procreate, and save the world?” she rattled, only realizing at the end that bitterness had slipped its way into her tone. Bitterness fueled by fear. Her recent knowledge of the betrothal was eating into her conscious mind. It was all she could think about. “I mean, uh, maybe if we walk by her you could tell her that you need help choosing dress robes? And I have to go with you to be the one that helps? Maybe?”
there were three shops he was mostly familiar with in london: the art store, the bookshop, and the jewelry store his father frequented. anywhere else, he felt like he had no idea where he was going because he did most of his shopping near his hometown. “um, the robe shop. my mum says i’ve outgrown my dress robes and i need to have more.” for whatever reason she said he needed the dress robes and he wasn’t going to argue with her. “i’m in the wrong area aren’t i?” he let out a long sigh. “i don’t know why diagon alley confuses me.”
Without intentionally thinking about it, Vee looked him up and down as if deciding herself whether or not he needed the robes. Perhaps it was distrust, perhaps it was human curiosity. “If you want robes that come with hexes and curses sewed into the pockets, you’re in the right place,” she teased, tilting her head in the right direction. “Walk this way with me. We could probably both benefit from some distance away from Knockturn. Plus, who doesn’t want new dress robes?” The emphasis in her sentence pushed the narrative that she was not a fan of clothes shopping.
𝑖𝑡 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑏𝑒 easy , talking to genevieve . they align on things smoothly , voice their thoughts in similar ways , and sirius has always enjoyed her company at its core , while she never seemed to voice displeasure in holding his . but it's not easy . it really isn’t — not when the fundamental clamour in him just clashes so harshly with the shields she puts up .
❛ what ? why not ? ❜ sirius pushes , despite himself . he's leaning forward even after the change in genevieve's disposition , miffed and pressing even if she's clearly scaling back , because he doesn't want her to . she brought this up , didn't she ? but he's still fighting with a slightly calmer side of himself urging that there's really no need to get so angry . still , he sputters : ❛ i mean , i won't - tell anyone . not if you don't want me to . but i can't even know who ? ❜ he knows he has absolutely zero real right to know . he knows that , but he’s hurt by the idea that vee won't trust him , eager to disprove whoever it is he apparently wouldn't shut his mouth to .
when vee simply expresses the desire to leave the situation , he sits back in his seat , disgruntled . his arms cross over his chest , admitting defeat . ❛ sure . go , ❜ he says , chin nudging to the door belligerently . he bites the inside of his cheek , avoiding her eyes in rummaging thoughts before they catch up to him . she is at his house . without her elder sister . she's not keeping company with her parents ; she’d never had to . sirius snaps up , turning to call out the question before he even ponders the action of doing so : ❛ it's not reg , is it ? ❜
This was easily the first time Genevieve had ever been so uncomfortable talking to Sirius that her skin crawled. They’d known each other since nappies. For all they knew, they had been around for each others’ first steps, first words, first heartbreaks, everything. Although they had made different friend groups once arriving at Hogwarts, they had always remained one of each other’s oldest friend. This, however, was changing everything.
Why didn’t he know. Why hadn’t the Blacks told him? Her fear of the whys and the what ifs had made her completely regret coming to see him. Staying away until more answers presented themselves would have been a far better thought. Her chest rose and fell dramatically before she stood up abruptly, not using the arms of the chair to hoist herself. Fear was her momentum.
“When he knows... we can talk about it then,” she assured him, sounding tense as if she had just licked a lemon. Vee wasn’t, as most purebloods weren’t, fantastic at showing her emotions. As much as she wanted to break down and cry right there, it wasn’t the time. However, she was ruining a friendship by not divulging information. Her fear was too strong.
Reg.
No, it wasn’t Regulus. Maybe that would’ve been easier to tell him. “Don’t you think you’d know by now if it was?” she responded coldly, turning her face from him and making her first step toward the door.
The stiffening of her shoulders didn’t go unnoticed by the ever-observant and annoyingly curious Regulus Black. “Nothing wrong with talking to yourself,” he shrugs, laughing at the comment. Merlin knew he spent a lot of time doing it. He was pretty sure that was an early indicator of madness, but often couldn’t bring himself to care. It was a lot better than talking to other people. “That is true… Slytherins and all. With that logic, I’m sure you’re right and can do whatever you’re about to do.” He shoves his hands in the pockets of his robes and looks at her curiously. “Which is…?”
Vee gave an I’m-sorry-I’m-so-odd-but-thanks-for-not-being-mean smile to the boy who had known her at least his whole life. It made it easier to be closer to Sirius being in teh same year, but it didn’t mean she didn’t see some of herself in Regulus. Being the second child in a pureblooded family always came with certain implications and those were usually not positive ones. Either you had to live up to your sibling’s accomplishments or you had to make up for their failures. The pressure was overwhelming in both cases.
“Go convince my older sister I don’t actually hate shopping?”
𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑙𝑎𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑒𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑠 him at the response , this one needing his hand to draw up over his mouth to stifle a bit . it’s rather instinctive — like he’s somehow grown unused to it , or would otherwise want to stop from being heard . lest anyone think he’s having too good a time here . ❛ i mean , i wasn’t going to say it , ❜ sirius grins , throwing genevieve a fleeting glance . ❛ i’m certain that would overstress you , absolutely , ❜ he says then , clearing his throat to try and retain impassiveness again .
receiving the explanation didn’t rid vee of the atmosphere she’s been bearing , and it’s written all over her . it’s strange , too — how easily sirius picks up on it . he’s always known vee to falsify the way she behaves to some extent , unsure if she’s ever really known who she could be underneath it all . he certainly has no idea , often finding that the root cause of their minor disputes across the years . by now he knows better than to keep pushing his own narrative , but even this weighs on him in thick desire to have her honest . watch whatever she could be — whatever hasn’t been stifled and hurt by the world they’ve grown in . even if he hates it . and it’s selfish of him , he knows — to want it for nothing more than the idea that it’ll be for her what it’s been for him , despite clear , rightful , push against it . but it’s there , simmering . constantly . he’s attached and it’s simply suffocating to be left wondering what to .
❛ right , ❜ sirius repeats the same word she’s nervously called one few too many times . then it’s matched with the tilt of his head , both confused and consoling at once — because surely , there’s something . ❛ and i’m sure he knows , vee . or will be told soon enough . i don’t know why he wouldn’t unless the bloke’s abroad or something . it’s not like you’re a terrible catch , ❜ he states , hand coming up to go through the words of it like he’s reading off a menu . but sirius , of course , can’t be fed bait without asking for the entire fish . ❛ so who is it ? ❜
Genevieve’s eyes dart around as Sirius lets out too joyful of a sound. Deep down she knows exactly what it is like to push all of your emotions unti they are half fulfilled, never being allowed to show too much at once - lest it diminish what others thought of you. She was comforted by the fact that she and Sirius never had to put on faces for each other. Well, they didn’t have to, but they were purebloods. Sometimes the façade was more natural than who they really were.
Her discomfort grew immensely. Little nervous tics began to show themselves. Her knee bounced. Her eyes blinked excessively. Her tongue no longer sat comfortably in her mouth and she suddenly became very aware of her breathing pattern, making it irregular. “Sirius,” she urged, “It’s not something I can tell you right now, okay? I shouldn’t have said anything in the first place. I was just--” How could she tell him that she was trying to feel out whether or not he knew?
Why hadn’t his parents told him yet? Vee began to fear that perhaps the Blacks were changing their minds - realizing she was not their real first choice and they intended to change their minds, create a sit down with the Greengrasses and let them know they had made a mistake. Vee wasn’t anywhere good enough for their first born son. The thought of telling Sirius they were betrothed only for it to be taken back was a mortifying prospect. Truly, she would never live it down inside. Once that fear formed in her mind, she was unable to rid herself of it.
𝑠𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑢𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑠 𝑖𝑛 her nods with continued amusement , slow mimicry of them as if waiting with utter patience for vee to finish her points , listening intently the entire time . ❛ i would abhorrently refuse to be called sir sirius , ❜ he confirms with a short laugh . ❛ i’d much rather give you my title . lady genevieve has far more promise in it . although i do think i might’ve stolen that from somewhere , ❜ he says , giving an easy shrug . then he waits for her answer to his part .
it isn’t much of a surprise at all , given the context . vee had been a clear pawn for her parents from the start . the second anyone suitable would come along and he’s more than certain they’d jump at the chance like piranhas . it settles in him sickly , but he knows better than to try and shove his beliefs onto her . despite it all , she’s remained loyal to her family’s status . he didn’t come here to reopen old wounds .
he swallows , expression unchanging . ❛ … you are ? ❜ he repeats , though he knows he doesn’t have to . sirius takes a breath , wavering the line of it because , frankly , it does seem to be affecting her — and he isn’t sure if he’s quite ready to hear why . still , he assumes — ❛ is it bad , then ? ❜ he asks , sitting back in his chair and giving a quick glance to the door , ensuring they aren’t to be joined any time soon . ❛ not anyone too old or anything ? ❜
“Lady Vee certainly sounds like a proper pureblooded woman, I suppose. Although, if you really think about it, it could almost sound like a lady of the night as well - which is a bit... out of character for me,” she joked, a subtle flush growing up her neck as she let out a short, breathy laugh. Although Vee was pretty, she had never been one to find her looks to be her best feature. Being confident enough to believe she’d make it in such a profession was impossible in her eyes.
The smallest smile flashed over her face, but it was void of humor. is it bad then. Was it? Honestly, it was the first time she had felt as if her parents actually thought anything of her. This wasn’t to confuse that with her lack of desire to be betrothed, but if she was going to be betrothed, there was something almost flattering about her parents choosing the eldest Black and the fact that his parents thought enough of her to choose her for their son. It was antiquated. It was honestly disgusting. They weren’t prized cattle to be bought and sold, but a part of her finally felt like she held the slightest bit of, well, value. As vile as the practice was in reality.
Vee leans back, putting physical distance between herself and Sirius in a subconscious attempt to distance her emotions from the situation. “No, um, it’s definitely not the worst, but well, you see, I don’t think he knows yet and that wouldn’t really be fair to go spreading it around yet, you know? Plus I’m still processing it myself and all...” the speed of which words flew out of her mouth nearly ran them together into one jumbled mess of sound. “We knew it was coming, though, right? I mean, at least it isn’t someone on his third wife after the other two passed of mysterious causes and I’m pushed to collect the money he’s gathered over the years as he gets closer to his death bed, right?” Terrible jokes.
Regulus steps into the hallway of the pub, having heard a slightly nervous voice come from it and been unable to hide his curiosity. He had meant to leave, really, already slightly buzzed from a shot and an incredibly low alcohol tolerance. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he chuckles at the words he can hear more clearly now. “Thanks,” he says, smirking at her in the mirror’s reflection. “What exactly can I do, though?”
A swift stiffening of her shoulders made it painfully obvious Regulus had startled her out of her own little world. Before she even had to turn around, his voice triggered instant recall. Genevieve had only just been told she was now betrothed to one Sirius Black. Avoiding the Blacks for a bit seemed to be the best way to give her time to process, but now here was one of them. Vee didn’t know that the only ones who knew besides herself were the parents. “Oh, uh,” she stumbled before putting herself back together,” I should probably learn not to talk to myself out loud, but I’m sure you can do whatever you set your mind to - us Slytherins always are, right?” It was forced, but it sounded a lot better than the truth.
𝑠𝑖𝑟𝑖𝑢𝑠 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑠 his steps in the slightest at the sudden burst of a topic , brows coming up to look at genevieve the second she starts . it isn’t unusual of her , but the expression she wears had him expecting exasperation of some sort . but it’s still cute , he finds . as if trying to fill silence with something she’s passionate about , at least . it always reminds him a little of when moony sets off , almost embarrassed of it .
❛ all of them ? ❜ sirius repeats , coming around to take a seat in the armchair facing genevieve . he rests his fingers over his lips in contemplation , eyes on her . ❛ would i be defying the muggle queen by helping them back into the ocean , then ? is there protocol for letting them know or choose what happens , and aren’t they so slow the whales would all be choking before anyone can do much about it ? especially in 1324 . ❜ he’s grinning lightly by the end of it , shaking his head slightly but finding genevieve’s overall demeanor not exactly light in tone . not as much as he’d expect from the strange topic , anyways . he drops his hand to lean forward , elbows on his knees . ❛ you okay , vee ? ❜
“All of them,” she repeated, far too quick nods of the head accompanying her declaration. She stalled at his question, her eyes looking up, weighing the options. “I mean, if I owned something, I’d want it to stay living. I feel like it would be a grand favor of sorts to rescue them from an unfortunate demise. Perhaps even worthy of knighthood. You could be Sir Sirius... which is now very odd to say I realize as it doesn’t roll off my tongue quite as planned.”
Her own words sounded rather obnoxious in her head and she wondered why she couldn’t be like the other Slytherins - like her sister - ruthless and always getting ahead. Sure, she had manipulated many in the past, but it was different with Sirius. They were - or at least had been - far more understanding of one another than that.
His question didn’t throw her off guard. It was far too expected at this point. Nothing flashed in front of her eyes to give anything away this time. “I’m betrothed,” she spat out, immediately locking eyes with him in a hurried attempt to determine whether or not surprise would flash upon his face. Perhaps he was simply playing dumb as she was. Lips tightened but her eyes didn’t blink.
He had promised his mother he would not spend all summer back home, so when she said she was going to London for a few days on business, he decided to join her. Kaz didn’t like London, but then again, he didn’t like anywhere that wasn’t the safe comfort of his home or Hufflepuff common room. Since his mother was busy with work, it meant he was left to find something to do. Since he promised his mother he would not spend the whole time reading in the inn. That’s how he ended up lost in Diagon Alley. “Excuse me,” he said, softly approaching someone, “I think I’m a little lost.”
Vee was doing what it felt like she always had to do - follow her sister around shopping. When the elder Greengrass had gotten stopped by an acquaintance, Vee had taken her chance and slipped into the shadows. Without paying much attention, she had ended up way too close to Knockturn Alley. Perhaps it was unfortunate she knew so well the dangers of that path, but it had caused her to instinctually take a large step back when Kazimir approached her. Her eyes narrowed, studying him for a slight moment before recognition hit and she softened slightly but kept on guard. “Where are you trying to go?”
❛ 𝑎 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑒 , spotted in the wild . how miraculous ,❜ sirius speaks from the archway to their sitting room , where his mother had so politely told him to go entertain the guest . he’d seen her father , and heard the singular use of guest . frankly , he was really expecting it to be her sister he’d have to try and tolerate for a few hours . seeing genevieve there alone washes him with enough relief to offer more than just a tight smile . ❛ how has summer been going for you , then ? ❜
Her smile was immediate and forced. It grew too far across her face and the worry in her eyes bubbled over, fed by the heat of her racing heart. It was as if a neon sign flashed above her head questioning whether or not Sirius knew how their lives had just changed, exploded from the inside out.
Vee had yet to decide how she felt about the arrangement. On the one hand, it had been the first sign throughout the entire course of her life that her mother and father actually thought she had worth. You didn’t set up your child with a Black if you didn’t think they were going to bring you honour. On the other though, this was forced and most forced events in life were met with undeniable resistance.
The fact that he wasn’t looking at her with any sort of grief or disgust meant he probably didn’t know, right?
Vee let her chest rise with a breath large enough to drown her lungs. “Spent it doing the usual - being a nerd and studying law. Did you know that all beached whales in the UK have belonged to the muggle king and queen since 1324?” She was sputtering.
Silas had gotten used to a quieter atmosphere. He didn’t like large crowds of people these days because it felt like everyone was staring at him. Silas didn’t know what had changed to make him overthink everything, but he didn’t like it. He wanted things to go back to normal. Maybe it was something he should talk about with his sister, but he wasn’t sure he could bring himself to do that. He wanted to get something nice for Amaline, though he wasn’t sure what. These days things felt far too tense between them and he didn’t know how to close that gap. Buying her love back felt cheap, though he was pretty sure that felt like a very normal thing for their family. Lost in thought, Silas didn’t realize that there was someone looking in the mirror by the hall and he grazed a shoulder. He looked up. “I apologize. I wasn’t paying attention.” He sighed and closed his eyes.
As soon as her shoulder was touched, Vee became exceptionally aware of everything. Everything down to the direction her feet were pointing, as if that would matter to someone. Accustomed to being invisible, being seen sometimes felt like it required a fake act - as if she suddenly could no longer be herself blending into the background. “No, no, my fault,” she immediately took on, “I was probably blocking half the hallway or someth--.” Being invisible had given Genevieve plenty of time to study other people without being noticed. Not an expert by any means, but it didn’t take one to notice the pain etched on the man’s face. Or at the very least, he was clearly not in a cheerful mood. Commece stepping on eggshells. “Are you... okay?” Was she even allowed to ask that of him?
“You can do this,” she told herself, looking in the mirror in the hallway of The Three Broomsticks. With a swift nod of her head, she inhaled and attempted to release any lingering emotions. Strength and dignity. It wasn’t that she didn’t love her sister, whom she was about to meet with for a “shopping trip” (which meant anything Vee tried that looked remotely nice on, her sister would get for herself), it was just that she had a lot on her mind and now was simply not the time to be looking out for someone else’s best interests. For now, she really just wanted to be alone. Perhaps a crowded inn was not necessarily the best place to have stopped off to get a quick shot of something strong to calm the nerves. A mint and a touchup of her lipstick and no one would ever know.
( cisfemale | she/her| naomi scott) —— isn’t that GENEVIEVE “VEE” GREENGRASS? yeah that is them, sitting there at the SLYTHERIN table with those other SEVENTH years. when sybill looks into that crystal ball of hers, she sees second place trophies second fiddles and second best, dark clothes to blend in; sneaking down corridors and through secret passage ways to go undetected; getting what she wants only by grabbing it herself; constantly accepting less than she deserves; questions behind ‘yes father’ head nods; and an overwhelming desire to be the one chosen first which seems about right for that NINETEEN year old. anyway i’ve heard they’re pretty INVISIBLE, RESOURCEFUL, and UNORTHODOX. apparently they’re NEUTRAL and PUREBLOOD but i’m sure that’s not related…
How do you break someone’s essence down into words? Pull from their inner core and rearrange the tendrils of color that come up from their being and begin to form letters? Or do you wait in the silence in the hopes that their story comes across on a breeze? Perhaps it is the waves that carry razor sharp stings of someone reminding you that they exist.
Genevieve can hardly be reduced to a few small paragraphs, but for the sake of time, let me give you a small glimpse into what creates this fragile individual being.
TW for what is below - illness, blood, neglect, anxiety, death
WIP------------------WIP--------------WIP
TW blood&illness&death; the Greengrass family gives us very little history, but we do know they carry a blood curse that will eventually take the life of Astoria Greengrass. While it has not yet grabbed any of her immediate family, Vee’s father is very aware of how it could quickly come upon any of them and thus keeps him always planning ten steps ahead - just in case one of them isn’t around when those steps arrive.
From a young age, Vee has always been second. She was the second born child. The second born girl. The second mouth to feed. The second loved.
Anything Vee ever did, her sister had already accomplished. Her sister getting into Slytherin was a celebration. Family tradition, afterall. When Vee got into Slytherin, there was no acknowledgement or celebration - it was expected. If Vee got an O on an exam, well, her sister already had so she had better do just as well. Second. Always.
Vee took it well, on the outside. It took a toll on her confidence however. If it was Vee and two friends, she was always the one getting edged out on the crosswalk. If it was Vee liking a boy, her sister probably got there first. She couldn’t even get a blue participation ribbon because second place was just the first loser. While her sister was an active member of Slug Club thanks to the family reputation, Vee never even got an invitation.
Over the years, Vee had to learn other ways to get what she wanted. Manipulation and quiet cunning methodology became her only options for not begging at the table for scraps. The young girl became very good at putting on a façade. (Let’s be real - she probably would’ve gathered inspiration from Else don’t let them in don’t let them see…)
She found solace in her art and in her knack for winning debates - even if she only had them in her head. If she truly put her mind to it, Vee could probably sell ice to a penguin… but they’d give the credit for the sale to someone else.
While Vee is trying to find her place in the world, her father is trying to carve one out for her. (Plot specifics TBD). Wanting to have everything secure before he could possibly not be around, Vee’s father has secured a betrothal for his youngest. Of course, her sister had already been betrothed for years, but this was something unique. Being betrothed to a Black was a big deal. This could put her in first place. Vee was just going to have to come to terms with it first.
