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Regulus Arcturus Black is determined to go through the world, suspicious of everyone and everything in it, wary of the danger and cruelty he believes lurks just below the surface. He is constantly on guard, continuously repressing anything that might be too good to be true. His life is controlled by the very fear he is so eager to avoid. It has been a long time since he thought the best of someone instead of the worst. That attitude died and was buried under the pressure of a legacy needing to be built—a preplanned life needing to be lived. His story demands swift calculations, precision, and no room for error. He seeks power as if it were a goddess capable of salvation because this constant pursuit was the only thing he was ever taught. It controls and molds him. It has not permanently shaped him yet, but it is only a matter of time. He is flawed. Flawed to the core just like everyone else, but refuses to believe it. Deep down there is a longing, born from the ache of loneliness and absence. He doesn’t know what it is for. Perhaps for a family different from his own. For a brother who stays. For a life of his own choosing. For community or any break in the void of utter isolation at all. He shoulders these burdens the only way he knows how: with stiff posture, and cold forbearance. He leans on things that ought not to be leant upon. On long-standing prejudices. On discrimination that provides a flimsy commonality between strangers based on having something that others never will. And so, when we find our student, his life has fashioned the boy into a strong, if uncompassionate man…
Remus John Lupin knew suffering intimately. It was like a phantom limb that itched continuously; it was ever present and unable to be scratched. The pain hung itself around him like a cloud in many different forms. The physical agony of both the transformation and the days surrounding it. The emotional hurt of being friendless, feared, and hated. The mental torture of knowing that, at his core, he was a monster. He was damaged. He was dangerous. He was unlovable. And he was not human. His parents had tried, when he’d first been bitten, to impress upon him their love and his worth. It had worked, at first, but as he grew, the reality of life became too apparent to ignore. He’d be lucky if he made it to his twenties without being hunted, imprisoned, or killed. His household of attempted comfort quickly dissolved when his mother passed and father turned to drinking. He was saved from this new misery by the invitation to Hogwarts. He, despite all odds, made friends that accepted him. Every part of him. They were like candles that kept the darkness at bay, not enough to dispel it completely, but still able to give him hope. A hope that was dying more and more everyday that brought him closer to graduation and the life waiting for him beyond it. The Prank only proved him right. It placed his secret in the hands of someone who would use it to harm him, and was the product of a betrayal that displaying whatever friendship he possessed now would eventually be gone. But fear wasn’t the only emotion that thinking about his future created. A deep sort of longing mixed with a love that only could ever belong to one person sat low in his heart, protected and hidden under layers of practice not getting the life humans do. It was a desire, a hopeless idea of someone to lean on, to live for, to cherish. But he knew family wasn’t in the cards for him. It hadn’t been ever since his four year old self had a monster hiding under his bed, the full moon rising. So when we find our student, he is set on believing in a hopeless future and wallowing in self hatred…
These two boys are set on two very different paths, however close their educational proximity may be. In all likelihood there would be no reason for these paths to ever cross. However, life doesn’t always take the likely route. Little do they know that in the very near future two twin-souled sisters will up and shake everything they think they know about themselves and the world around them.
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Iris POV
I beamed as I boarded the Hogwarts Express with my sister, Lyla, and best friend Melissa and followed them to an empty compartment. No sooner had we sat down when Lyla’s friends joined us, and we immediately all began chattering happily about what we had done over the summer, how much we had missed each other, and everything else we always talked about at the start of a new school year. We commented on each other’s new haircuts, hoped we’d be in the same classes together, and inquired after each other’s families.This year, like last year, the shadow of the war hung over us, often ignored, but never completely forgotten. To say that I felt safe in my predominantly muggle town was a bit of an overstatement, especially because the few wizards that did live in our village, like Mel and her family, often interacted with the muggles on a daily basis and did very little to hide their magical powers. It was a unique town in that way. Wizards and muggles had coexisted together for centuries in our little village and so there was hardly a muggle today, including my parents, who hadn’t known about magic since they were children.This put them, and us, at an even greater risk from Voldemort and his Death Eaters if they ever discovered our town. I knew Hogwarts was one of the safest places on Earth from dark magic, and it was a bit of a relief that Lyla and I would be safely stowed away for the coming months.I was jolted from my musings as the train started forward, and we all leaned out the window to wave crazily to our parents. I could never help tearing up at seeing them go, but I knew we would write constantly and see them on holiday. I’d have to check into the prefect’s compartment soon, but for now I leaned my head back against the seat and let the first euphoric rush of new beginnings wash over me, finally relaxing.
Regulus POV
I was standing in the tightly packed compartment with the rest of the prefects, sizing each of them up. I supposed the majority of the students were decent, though it didn’t really matter because we had preassigned partners. One bad partner and patrol duty was going to be miserable.The head boy, the loathsome James Potter, began reading off pairings and I inwardly groaned as he called out the name of the Hufflepuff girl in my year assigned to me. I would have preferred anyone else. Even a Gryffindor I could at least bicker and intellectually face off with. Hufflepuffs were just so… happy. It always seemed so insincere. How could a person possibly be that satisfied with life? And if they were genuine, it was even worse. Their cheerfulness must be centered in, at the very least, ignorance. And at the worst, delight in humankind. It was nauseating.I knew technically kindness wasn’t a core trait in the badgers and that they were more focused on hard work, patience, dedication, and loyalty. That all seemed too good to be true, however.I glanced at the girl who is already chatting with a Ravenclaw boy that she had been assigned with as well. She even looked like a Hufflepuff: slim build, golden hair, blue eyes, and a bright smile. Maybe she’d get all her chatting done with Kumar and I’d be free to bask in the silence.
Lyla POV
Amanda elbowed me in the side, successfully snapping me out of my trance. I’d been gazing at the bewitched ceiling of the Great Hall and had been carried away by my imagination. The sky had fallen down around us, and we had started dancing among the stars. Houses intermixed and we were all having fun, the brewing war a distant memory. We’d all laughed as Dumbledore hopped from Orion’s Belt to Cancer’s right claw. He raised his hands in victory and…“Bryant’s about to lecture us,” Amanda said, drumming her fingers on the empty golden plate in front of her. She and Bryant were twins and my very best friends.It had all started when eleven year old me was crying because I hadn’t been sorted into the same house as my sister. The twins had offered to go with me to the Hufflepuff common room to somehow sneak in and become one, and me, being a distraught eleven year kid, agreed.Through a series of events, most of which I couldn’t quite remember the next day, the three of us had ended up curled behind a suit of armor until morning. Ever since we’d been inseparable, and I’d been pretty pleased with my choice to stay in Ravenclaw.Bryant took a deep breath, “As you both know, this year we have our O.W.L.s. It is perhaps the most important year of our lives.”Amanda leaned in closer to me. “I bet all the teachers are going to have nearly identical speeches to this,” she whispered in my ear. I snickered quietly.“I had a lot of time to think over the holiday,” continued Bryant, “and I’ve decided that we are going to have the best year we can.” Amanda and I exchanged glances. “That starts with getting jobs.” My eyebrows shot up, but Amanda seemed to agree with her brother.“Equal times work and play,” she said in a sing-songy voice. Before I could say we were fifteen and getting jobs was a bit ambitious, Bryant continued to talk.“Of course, we’re not going to work outside of Hogwarts, so just ask around and by the end of this month have a job. Then there’s exercise. Lyla already walks Indy and occasionally rides a broom, but Amanda and I need to figure something out. Last is the studies. I’ll ask the teachers when exactly the exams will be and we’ll work from there to create a schedule.”Amanda and I nodded, and my gaze drifted towards the Great Hall's big doors. Soon little first years would be entering, waiting to be sorted. Bryant was right. We’d make this the best year we could.
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Regulus POV
I arrived at the corridor for prefect duty five minutes early but the girl was already there, leaning against the wall reading a book. On second impression, I noticed she was not as golden and perfect as I first thought. Her hair was frizzy, her posture and limbs awkward and gangly, and she was so tall that by the time I reached her, I realized I only had an inch on her. She looked up and gave a polite smile.“Hello, I’m Iris.”“Regulus Black. Let’s begin,” I said, eager to get this over with. “I’ll head clockwise and you’ll take counter clockwise.”“Sounds good,” she replied.A Gryffindor would have been furious with me ordering them around. A Ravenclaw would have snipped at me about my attitude but done what I said. But Hufflepuffs? Pushovers. Every time we met during our loops I glanced at her, but she never met my eyes. I counted down the minutes until I was free. When the clock struck five, I sighed in relief. To my surprise, the girl, who’s last name I realized I didn’t even know, spoke.“Well, since that was so enjoyable I say we do it again. Next week, same time, same place?” she said, with a grin boarding on sarcastic. I was slightly taken aback by how charming it is.“I don’t suppose I have a choice,” I retorted. She seemed unfazed by my discouraging response and continued to smile.“I guess I’ll see you then,” she laughed with a wave.I was surprised by how polite she acted towards me, given that I’d done my best to be cold, distant, and I’ll admit it, somewhat rude. She was determined, I’d give her that. It was kind of sweet, and not in a sickening way. Another Hufflepuff intercepted her halfway down the hall and immediately linked arms and began talking. She was loud enough that I could hear their conversation echoing down the hallway.“Okay we have to talk about that muggle book you recommended. Pride and Prejudice? Your parents have excellent taste.”“Actually it was just my mom who recommended it. My dad isn’t really the Regency Era Romance Novel type,” Iris joked.I started as I realized what that meant: she was a mudblood. As their voices faded out of earshot, I scowled, annoyed with myself for misjudging her.
Iris POV
I pulled out Little Women, which I had begun rereading to stave off the beginning of the year homesickness I always felt. Instead of keeping my thoughts on the book however, my mind wandered. I liked all of my classes and loved my new job at Flourish and Blotts Half Price. It was a little bit of a hike but I’d figure it out. And I missed Danya but was thrilled to be reunited with Mel.My sixth year prefect duties had been enjoyable too. Besides generally keeping an eye out for trouble, all I had to do was patrol duty. I already knew my Monday afternoon partner, Bryant Kumar, because he was in Lyla’s friend group, and time had flown by during the shift. Tuesday was a more relaxed patrol around the edge of the forbidden forest and Hagrid had been kind enough to keep me company while I strolled along.I was a little worried about this job, however. As a rule, I steered clear of Slytherins for obvious reasons. Regulus Black didn’t seem particularly cruel, but one never knew. I’d seen him around before in classes because we were in the same year, but we’d never talked or acknowledged each other.I heard the clacking of shoes against the stone floor and looked up to see him standing in front of me. His posture was ramrod straight, his robes crisp and fitted to perfection. His wavy black hair was neatly combed, and his sharp gray eyes looked down at me with a tinge of disdain. How pretentious. Overall, he gave off a very imposing and standoffish air. I took a breath.“Hello, I’m Iris,” I introduced myself.“Regulus Black. Let’s begin,” he answered, coldly. “I’ll head clockwise and you’ll take counter clockwise.”This was what Bryant and I had agreed upon as well, and though his commanding tone bothered me, I decided to let it go. “Sounds good.”We walked in opposite directions around the large block of classrooms and every couple of minutes or so, our paths crossed. It was extremely awkward having to walk up to each other again and again in silence. I always avoided eye contact. To distract myself, I planned out my homework load for the night, decided which days of the week would be best to do Quidditch training with Mel, and then imagined myself at Orchard House as one of the March sisters. The September sun filtered in through the long, glass windows and warmed the hallways, making me sleepy.Finally, the clock rang, signaling dinner. Although Regulus seemed determined to be unfriendly, I didn’t want to lose the first day of our acquaintance without attempting to reach out.“Well, since that was so enjoyable I say we do it again. Next week, same time, same place?” I said, jokingly. For the first time, his severeness lessened. Slightly.I thought I detected the ghost of a smile on his face before he said, “I don’t suppose I have a choice,” but with less coolness than before.“I guess I’ll see you then,” I answered before heading down to dinner.Melissa came by to walk with me and we threw ourselves into the world of the 1800s British countryside, discussing one of the best classics of all time.“Okay, but isn’t it insane how a book written two hundred years ago is still so relevant and hilarious. Her sense of humor was brilliant,” I gushed.“I know! I’m so glad you forced me to read it. And once again I’m blown away by how interesting a story can be without any magic at all. My resolution this school year is to find myself a Mr Darcy,” she declared. I grinned.“That shouldn’t be too hard. The boys are practically falling over themselves to flirt with you.”Melissa sighed. “You exaggerate.”“No I don’t! Everyone likes you, and why shouldn’t they? You’re witty, confident, athletic, pretty, and popular for good reason, which is rare.”“Well I suppose… but the trouble is they might all be Wickhams. It’s not the lack of boys, it’s finding the right one.”“Too true,” I agreed. “So are you going to start dating around?”“I don’t know. Maybe.”I let out a semi squeal. “I'm so excited for you!” I said, grinning.“What about you?”“I'm not really into casual dating. I’ll find someone when I find someone.”“Well I hope that your someone coincides with my someone. Then we can go on double dates and gossip in our dorms before bed about how much we like them.”I gently shoved her. “If I ever partake in something that idiotic, lock me in the closet until I become sensible again.”“Okay, I promise.”“It’s going to be weird this year without Danya,” Mel mused. The three of us had been best friends since we were assigned to a dorm room together on our first day. She scored an amazingly prestigious internship at a school in South America to study rare Magical Creatures and we couldn’t be more proud of her.“I know. Like a piece of our trio is missing. Hopefully she’ll visit on holiday.”“Yeah, when she’s not visiting her family. Think of all the things she’ll learn at Castelobruxo. She’s going to be a genius Magizoologist when she gets back.”“And then we’ll be able to say we knew her when.”
Lyla POV
I glared at the offending newspaper in my hands, letting my fingertips crumple the edges. Attack on Windlind Leave Eight Muggles Dead and Two Injured, the headline screamed up at me.These attacks were getting more and more frequent. What had started as rumors of a pureblood obsessed group with a frightening leader in my first year had become reality by my third. The group was given a name, the Death Eaters, and its head began calling himself Lord Voldemort. Speculation of hate crimes turned into massive attacks and raids.The Ministry of Magic’s aurors, and the newly formed Order of the Phoenix headed by Dumbledore, were attempting to prevent these crimes and capture or kill the Death Eaters, but pureblood mania was more common than I had previously thought. Fear wrapped itself around my gut, warning me of the danger I was in from simply being born. My sister and I could be harassed and attacked even here at school. There were rumors of some pureblood students joining the Death Eaters, willing to carry out the will of the so-called Dark Lord. My parents could get injured or killed in any of the attacks going on just like the Muggle families in the Prophet.Below the article was an advertisement for Whilloby’s Wondrous Teeth Floss - String that Sings! featuring a special story from Wizengamot member Christopher Linklob. The write up was longer than that of the Death Eater attack.I stomped on the stone floor I was sitting on, the tear I had shedding while reading the article on the Muggles returning. How blind could people possibly be? There was a war happening whether you wanted it too or not, and people should be caring more about actual human lives rather than if they’re entertained while flossing their teeth.The article on the attack gave next to no details. There were no names of suspects. There was no information on what steps were being taken to prevent it from happening again. There was no announcement about how the attack was wrong and how muggles, muggleborns, purebloods, and halfbloods were equal. I crumpled up the newspaper in frustration and chucked it through the air.At least, I had meant to throw it through the air. Instead it passed through a silvery, floating figure. I had forgotten I’d camped myself in the Grey Lady’s Corridor. Said ghost towered over me looking menacing with her waist long hair and scowl.“I am so, so sorry, ma’am!” I exclaimed, scrambling to my feet, so we were at eye level. “I didn’t see you! I promise never meant to hit you!”The Lady squinted at me. “Why are you crying?” she asked after a moment of prolonged silence. Embarrassed, I quickly swiped at my checks.“I’m frightened, ma’am,” I said truthfully. The Grey Lady made a humming noise in the back of her throat, but in her ghost-like form it sounded like wind blowing at an old, creaky weathervane.“You’re a muggleborn.” She said, her form slightly bobbing up and down. It wasn’t a question.“Yes,” I confirmed anyway.“It’s wise to be afraid of the war,” the Grey Lady commented with an air of superior aloofness.“It’s also wise to not let fear control you and to know your values. Defending them is just the next step,” I retorted.The ghost hummed again. “I suppose you speak the truth.”“I try to ma’am,” I responded, trying to ease the tension I had created by talking back.The Grey Lady gave an undignified sigh and rolled her eyes dramatically. “Enough calling me ma’am, child,” she commanded. “It reminds me too much of my mother.”“Sorry,” I resisted rolling my eyes as well. “What should I call you then?”“My given name is Helena,” she responded. “If you ever need the perspective of someone who is undoubtedly wiser, more mature, and more experienced you’ll find me here.”I frowned, unsure whether I should be grateful or offended. Before I could make up my mind, the Grey Lady—Helena—had drifted off down the corridor.I sighed to myself and picked up the crumpled Prophet. As I slowly made my way to my common room, I wondered to myself why the ghost had spoken so hatefully about her mother, and why she had offered herself up for communication with me.
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Iris POV
Just as I had shoved a giant piece of toast in my mouth, a bedraggled looking owl came sailing out of the air and landed precariously on my head. I froze, and sensing it had perhaps done something wrong, the bird hopped off my head and into my lap. It blinked up at me as I took a crumpled scrap of paper out of its mouth. It read:
Iris
I had a great idea for how you could get to work. meet me outside me house.
-Hagrid.
Since there was no time indicated, I scarfed down the rest of my breakfast and headed out into the brisk fall air. Because I had taken my OWL exams last year, my schedule had opened up considerably, leaving large chunks of time open. I had seized upon the opportunity this free time gave me to get a job. Some various odd jobs were available at Hogwarts but when Mel’s mom had mentioned an old friend of hers looking for a trustworthy youngster to help her out in her shop in Hogsmeade, I couldn’t resist. Of course before I accepted, I had asked Mel over and over again if she was sure she didn’t want the job, but she had insisted she was too busy with Quidditch training to be working too. Mel had been the Hufflepuff Keeper since her second year and was extremely dedicated to the team. I had started at Flourish and Blotts Half Price, a little sister store to the one in Diagon Alley. The first day I arrived the owner and manager Ms Sandra had been very kind and welcoming. We had established that my schedule would be flexible and consist of random mornings or afternoons I was free, plus all day Sundays. This was usually our busiest day, what with all of the students and townsfolk coming in to stock up on supplies or just browse. The weekdays, however, usually consisted of organizing inventory, counting what was in the cash register, taking care of the owls, and restocking the shelves. The clean, warm feel of the store gave off a peaceful atmosphere which made working there a relaxing break from the bustle of Hogwarts. Ms Sandra and I had already become friends despite our age difference and occasionally her grandchildren would stop in the store. I enjoyed all playing together. Getting to work, however, was quite the obstacle. Hogsmeade was pretty far away and it was a waste to use flew powder so often, although this is what I had been doing so far. As I came up upon Hagrid’s hut, I saw a magnificent beast tied up to a post in his pumpkin patch. It paws at the ground restlessly and tosses its head to and fro. I immediately knew what creature it was and it took my breath away. “Hagrid,” I breathed. “How did you catch a thestral?” I’d never seen one in person before, only drawings in our Care of Magical Creatures textbooks. Now, thestrals can only be seen by people who have seen death but in this war torn time it was more rare for a person not to be able to see one than vice versa. I personally had been browsing the books in Diagon Alley at the start of summer holiday when a swarm of death eaters showed up and mass murdered shoppers at random. I couldn’t sleep for two weeks after. Hagrid beams at me. “Not very hard ter be honest. They’re rather fond of me, see. Isn’t it just a brilliant idea fer yer ter ride one ter work?” “But… thestrals aren’t meant to be trained. They’re wild,” I said, eyeing the beautiful beast. “Well, this one can be. It’s in its adolescent stage which makes it to the perfect time ter break her in.” Hagrid had always relished a challenge. “I won’t get in trouble for this will I?” I asked suspiciously. “Of course not!” he exclaimed, offended. “Dumbledore himself gave me permission.” “Well, alright. Where do we start?” Hagrid guided me through the process, first letting her sniff me up and down while I stand perfectly still, then letting me feed her little bits of meat that he produced from Merlin knows where, and finally letting me pet her ever so gently, murmuring all the while so she becomes familiar with my voice. “You’ll have ter name her,” Hagrid toldme, giving the beast a kind look. “Hmm. I think I’ll call her Suri.” The thestral clucked her tongue happily. “It suits her.” “Suri it is!” Hagrid exclaimed happily. Next we began the real training, letting out the rope she was tied to and coaxing her not to fly away. When we were sure she won’t, we completely untied her and practiced calling her to me with a two toned whistle Hagrid teaches me. We broke for lunch, and I swallow as many rock cakes as I can manage in order to keep my hunger at bay, the task proving itself to be an all day activity. Soon, it was time to practice mounting which takes many unsuccessful tries. Once we realized that it’s impossible for me to get on without flying off the other side we taught Suri to lie down and then to rise once I am successfully aboard. Wrapping my arms around her neck is a signal to her to fly while holding onto her protruding neck bones causes her to trot. The sun was setting by the time I stiffly dismounted, my bottom sore and my throat hoarse, but my mind alight with the thrills of flying and my heart full of affection for this beast who has grown on me significantly since the start of the day. I thanked Hagrid over and over again and he assured me that she’ll be safe with her herd in the forbidden forest. I smiled to myself as I headed back up to the castle for dinner, happy that I’ve made a new friend.
Regulus POV
Regulus,
Moments after you boarded the train we received word that we have been requested to host Christmas dinner at Grimmauld Place. The usual cousins and extended family will be attending, of course, but our close family friends have expressed their interest in joining us as well. As you know, this is a great honor for us all and reflects exceedingly well upon the entire House of Black, especially considering our recent adjustments.
I know you will comport yourself with dignity and make us proud; you always do. I only write to inform you that our particularly esteemed guest of honor mentioned in passing that he requests your presence. You are no fool, my son, and must know the significance of this. You are becoming a man, and it is not lost on any of us the skills and talents you possess.
Do not expect further letters as you are well aware your father and I are most busy. And do not let your grades slip. Blacks only achieve the best.
-Mother
I balled the letter up in my fist and took deep, calming breaths. I wished I could chuck the letter across the common room but knew it had to be carefully disposed of in my dorm fireplace where I could ensure it turned into nothing but ashes. Likely, no one would read into any of it, not like I did. I knew perfectly well our “close family friends” were my parents’ fellow Death Eaters and their “particularly esteemed guest of honor” was the Dark Lord himself. “Recent Adjustments” indeed. A rather understated way to put losing yet another member of the esteemed House of Black. I still hadn’t forgotten the burning smell that permeated every corner of the house. It seemed risky for Mother to send this letter with so obvious a location and time as it contained, but at the same time I knew Dumbledore was not likely to stoop so low as to read private correspondences. As for my classmates, half of their parents were “close family friends” anyway. So the Dark Lord wished to meet me. Meet me in my family home no less. It could only mean one thing, and I had already been expecting it. Mindlessly, I rubbed the pale skin on my left forearm and thought about that conversation I had heard over the summer. Or rather, overheard. I hadn’t technically been privy to the conversation hissed between my cousin Bellatrix and Mother, but voices tended to carry up the stairwell and I had a habit of leaving my bedroom door cracked. What had been said had left me reeling and I was determined to discover what it all meant before playing host to the most powerful wizard in the world. If there was one thing I hated more than anything, it was going into a situation blind.
Lyla POV
I braced myself to knock on Professor Sprout’s office door. I’d already done this with Professors Flitwick, McGonagall, and Sinistra, asking if they had a job that I could do. All had replied in the negative. Sprout was my next choice; Hagrid and Slughorn I was saving for last, the former because he had helped my sister with her job and latter because he tended to drone on and on about the Slug Club. “Come in!” I heard Sprout call from inside her office, after I had knocked hard twice (loud enough to be confident, long enough to be heard, short enough to not be annoying). I entered the room carefully, placing my sweetest, brightest smile on my face. “Miss Zemen,” Sprout greeted and gestured to a seat in front of her desk. “What can I do for you?” “Professor Sprout,” I said as I lowered myself into the chair. It squeaked painfully loud. “I was wondering if there was anything that you needed assistance with. You see, I’m looking for a job. Now that I’m entering my O.W.L.s year, I figured it was time to gain experience. I’m hardworking and I promise to take any job I have seriously.” Professor Sprout was smiling by the time I finished. I took that as a good sign. “It’s a good thing you came, Miss Zemen,” she said, opening a drawer on her left and rifling through it. “I was just thinking I might need some help, and I know you to be a smart, detracted student.” She pulled out a piece of parchment. “That’s wonderful!” I exclaimed, wiggling in my seat in anticipation. Sprout raised an eyebrow. “Don’t get too excited, dear,” she laughed to herself. “This is work after all.” “Yes ma’am.” I stopped my wiggling but kept my grin. Sprout slid the parchment towards me. “This is a list of plants, flowers, and seeds that I need that are best harvested and not bought. They can be found here on Hogwarts grounds. Some are for classes, others are food for my plants, and a few are for my personal research,” the professor explained, leaning back. I glanced at the list which had twenty or so plants, the amount needed, and locations to find them. “Your job,” Sprout continued, “is to collect these items, sort and label them into bags, and deliver them to me Friday night at four thirty in the afternoon. At that time a will give the next list to complete in a week. I will also pay you four galleons at that time. Do you accept my offer?” “Yes, yes!” I was beaming like a manic now. “Thank you so, so much, professor!” “Your welcome, Miss Zemen,” Sprout shook my hand, and I practically melted with pride. “I will see you in class.” “Yes, ma’am,” I nodded my head crazily. “Thank you again.” I darted out of her office and skipped down the hallway, clutching the list, intent on finding Bryant and informing him of my success.
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Iris POV
I heard the bell of someone entering the store and seeing as Ms Sandra was in the back, launched into my pre-rehearsed spiel while finishing counting the stacks of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them and checking them off the order form in front of me. "Welcome to Flourish and Blotts Half Price, can I help you find anything?" I glanced up and am surprised to see my fellow prefect standing in front of me. "Oh! Hey, Regulus." "Ten feet of standard parchment and two medium ink pots," he said by way of greeting, all of his original cold formality back in place. He had seemed to warm to me towards the end of our first shift though, (and by warm, I mean not seem willing to murdering me in cold blood) so I attempted friendly conversation. "So what do you think of the rest of your prefect partners?" “I think the bar was so low it wasn’t very hard to beat. I was correct.” Ouch. That stung more than I cared to admit. I swallowed it. It was not like we were friends or even got along. I changed the subject. “I’m surprised your parents didn’t just send you this stuff,” I said, bagging the items. “What my parents do or do not send me is none of your concern. They are more respectable than you’ll ever be and you would do well to remember it. Then again, maybe you were just born with the incivil desire to pry into other people's affairs. Not surprising given your heritage, mudblood,” he said, cruelly. And with a sweep of his arm and swish of his robes, he had taken his items and was out the door into the cool September night. I stood there for a moment, stunned. Then, I pulled myself up to my full height and went back to sorting inventory. ***The next day in Potions class I felt a stab of annoyance, and I’d admit it, pain, when I saw Regulus sitting at one of the tables with a few Slytherins. So far, we hadn’t had any classes together, but it was just my luck to have to face him first thing in the morning. Oh well, better get it out of the way I supposed. The first interaction after any attack was always the most stressful. He wasn’t looking at me but I walked up to his table so that he was forced to meet my eyes. His were unreadable. I smiled brightly and said, “I know you were low on school supplies and we had extra shipments at Flourish and Blotts Half Price so I thought you’d like them.” I set the neatly wrapped packages on the table in front of him. “If you need anything else, I can get a discount for you. For any of you, actually,” I said, addressing the other Slytherins at the table. They looked amused, like vultures figuring out the best way to devour their prey. “Anyway, good luck in class today. I hope we get to learn how to brew Draught of Living Death at some point,” and with a cheerful wave, I waltzed over to fellow Hufflepuff Liam Darrow. I could hear them murmuring and opening up the packages, probably in search of some booby trap or jinx put on the supplies. They wouldn’t find anything, though. I learned right from my first week at Hogwarts that being a Hufflepuff and a muggle born made me a double target. I could still remember vividly the first time someone called me a mudblood. I felt like I had been slapped in the face. I wasn't sure whether to cry or run but since both were humiliating I spat out the first thing I could think of: “I’d take being a Hufflepuff over a Slytherin any day, and even if my parents can’t do magic they’re still worth ten of you.” I had meant what I said; I loved being a Hufflepuff and how could a person’s value be determined by whether or not they were born with a certain ability? But I had felt sick to my stomach the rest of the day. I was ashamed; mortified, but not because of what I had been called. Because of how I had responded. How was I any better than them if I acted the same way they did? I spilled my guts to Danya and Mel that night and we had agreed that from then on we would be better than our enemies. When they were cruel, we would be kind. We knew our value and it didn’t matter who else did. And when we forgot, we would remind each other. We would be a team, and we had kept that promise. So when Regulus Black had insulted me it had hurt, it always did, but I had recovered just as practiced and packed up his gift not five minutes later. Seeing their startled faces was always sort of pleasing. They never expected kindness. When we met for prefect duty the next day, I greeted him in my friendly manner and offered to help him in Potions if he ever needed it. He snapped back about staying in line, but I merely laughed and warned that sometimes those ingredient equations could look misleadingly easy.
Lyla POV
I usually don’t resort to violence. I’m a firm believer in communication and words. Wondrous words that can solve almost any problem. However, when sisters are involved, rules inevitably bend. I am fully aware that Iris is bullied. I too have been on the receiving end of hateful comments about my parents. Iris only gets it worse because she’s a Hufflepuff. Every house has their own stupid reputation. If professors emphasized how each of the houses’ characters often led to certain types of learning (visual, hands-on, lecture, etc.) and integrated that into their teaching instead of promoting rivalry with house points, the school would be very different. Despite the hate she receives, Iris always handles herself with grace, dignity, and kindness just like she does in everything else. I sometimes tell the people bullying to back off and grow up, but usually I find not reacting and completely demolishing them in class with superior wit and wisdom to be equally satisfying and effective. When Iris told me how Regulus Black, a Slytherin sixth year, said some very rude things to her, I decided to make an exception to my own rules. After all, who’s job is it to look after my sister but myself? I spotted the boy in the Entrance Hall in front of the doors to the Great Hall. Marching up to him, I tossed my bag, bulging with books, over my shoulder, getting my hands free. I was almost upon him when he turned. He was smirking at Evan Rosier, a fellow Slytherin and who many students suspected was a Death Eater. Rosier brushed past Black up the staircases two at a time, disappearing from sight. I hardly noticed. The fear I had felt reading the Daily Prophet in the Grey Lady’s Corridor was back. What if Black teamed up with Rosier? What if they, now knowing Iris is a muggleborn, attack her? I had originally planned on using my wand to frighten off Black, I knew countless harmless spells, but I worried it wouldn’t be enough. It was best to make him know without a doubt that if he wanted to come at my sister, he’d have to go through me. And I wouldn’t break easily. Black had noticed my approach and was examining me, bored. Once I was close enough, I drew back my right hand. And slapped him. Being the first time I’d ever hit someone, I hadn’t expected the flash of pain that was traveling up my palm. Black looked stunned, a red mark shaped like my hand across his cheek. It didn’t look like it hurt him too much which was good because I was definitely starting to regret my decision. Oh well. The deed was done and I might as well follow through. “How dare you call my sister that!” I shouted, shooting him my very best glare, tucking my stinging hand in the folds of my robes. I whispered a silent thank you that there was no one to witness the event. A flash of recognition passed through Black’s eyes even though the rest of him was frozen, his mouth shaped in an ‘O’, slightly resembling a goldfish. “And…and if you ever do anything like that again, you’ll have worse than just a sore cheek.” If it's sore at all. I turned on my heel and marched, head high, into the Great Hall. That went well, I thought, albeit unexpectedly. I saw Amanda wave at me from the Ravenclaw table and slipped in between her and her brother, reaching for a strawberry pastry. “Really?” Bryant asked. “Dessert before lunch?” “I have a good reason,” I responded, shoving half the pastry in my mouth. Adrenaline was still coursing through my veins, fueled by my growing anxiety. “I slapped someone for the first time a few moments ago.” Bryant dropped his sandwich back on his plate, and Amanda gasped. Their dark eyes met over my head before darting back to me. “What happened?” Amanda asked. She wrapped an arm around me, rubbing my back slowly. I groaned and dropped my head onto the table. “I lost my temper,” I mumbled. “I told you Regulus Black called my sister a—well, you know. I wanted him to know it wouldn’t be easy to hurt Iris. I was just so…scared. And angry. What is wrong with me? Why am I like this?” “Nothings wrong with you,” Bryant frowned. “I’ve known you for four years now, and I have no information proving there is something not right with you.” “Bryant’s right, in a sense,” Amanda lowered her head on the table too so that I was forced to look at her. “There is a war going on. That is scary. There are people that hate you for something that isn’t wrong. That is scary. Your family is in danger. That is scary. Your feelings are perfectly understandable. I’m angry too, and I’m a halfblood. Hitting Black was defense. You acted to protect. We understand. Next time though, talk to us first.” Amanda smiled teasingly at me. “Yeah,” Bryant agreed. “We’d help you come up with much better ways to scare him than that.” I giggled softly and sat up to throw my arms around them. “You’re the best friends in the whole world,” I whispered. “All in a day's work.” I could hear the smile in Amanda’s tone and couldn’t help but copy her.
Regulus POV
I couldn’t for the life of me figure Iris out. My initial reaction was that it was ignorance. Maybe she was incredibly non observant and didn’t realize that I despised her. Then I assumed that she was being passive aggressive, but everything in her tone and manners was polite and cheerful. There was no sarcastic edge, no cruel gaze, nothing. And of course my roommates found nothing in the ink pots, quills, and vials she had delivered, but I hadn’t really expected her to sabotage me. So why was she being so… nice? Lulling me into a false sense of security and then catching me blind sighted? She didn’t really seem like the calculating type, though. I wished she would just hate me and then I would be free to forget about her. If only she’d stop trying to chat all the time. If she had to give a suspicious gift, fine. But the constant friendly banter? It was enough to make me scream. Her sister though, I could understand. Blind hatred, threats, and violence were more what I was used to. When she had hit me, I was surprised to find that the first emotion that flashed through me, besides annoyance, was respect. She had no problem standing up for her sister and that was something I respected, even if she was a mudblood. This was quickly followed by a sharp pang of envy that I immediately shoved deep, deep down in my soul. I had no interest in dissecting why, after so many months had passed, I still couldn’t help thinking about him almost daily. Unfortunately I wasn’t quick, or strong enough to stop the wave of memories that crashed through my brain before I could repress them: Sirius constantly getting into trouble and blaming me because our parents were far less severe on me than him. Sirius and I being shut away from the sunlight to be tutored at Grimmauld Place every day from dawn until dusk and taken to the nearby quidditch pitch on weekends so we were out of our parents' hair. How our tutor always liked Sirius more because of how charismatic he was even though I was an exemplary, and far more disciplined, student. How our father would go on and on about tradition and legacy and how it would all be ours someday. “But will you be ready for it?” He had asked. Sirius had rolled his eyes and despised the idea of being cooped up in the same routine day after day. But I had nodded my head eagerly and said, “Yes, father.” The occasional stuffy dinners with our parents in the formal dining room where I would get in trouble for laughing at the faces Sirius made at me. Then him making it up to me later that night by telling me harrowing adventure tales before bed. Those were earlier memories from what felt like a lifetime ago. Before Hogwarts. Before everything went up in flames. I could easily recall the day Sirius was sorted into Gryffindor. When my parents got the news they were both horrified and disappointed in equal measures. I remembered the weeks after where at every dinner party they would have to deal with their friends' backhanded comments and our relatives going on and on about the shame on the Black House. I had accidentally walked in on Mother crying about Sirius and when she saw me, instead of scolding she said, “Don't disappoint me Regulus. You’re our only hope.” I had taken that straight to heart and from then on did everything I possibly could to obey them and make them proud. Back then I didn’t mind the isolation so much and was content to be independent because I knew that I had my brother and his parents' love, even if they rarely showed it. Sirius had his first big fight with our parents the summer after his first year. I would hide up at the top of the staircase with Kreature for company and listen to the fight. That way I could know how it ended and how I would have to act later. In the early days I was never sure who’s side to take. When I got into Slytherin my parents were so proud and would constantly rub it in Sirius’s nose. Sirius had snapped once or twice and I had asked him, “Are you mad at me?” He would snarkily say, “How can I be mad at someone who’s perfect?” Then he would sigh and say, “No Regulus, you’re doing everything right.” Unlike Sirius, I was proud of my heritage. Every time family would come over they would comment on my height or marks or quidditch skill and say, “You’re a true Black.” And I would stand a little taller and it would feel like I was in the club. Now I wasn’t even sure if the club was something I wanted to be in, or something I could even escape at this point. As I watched that mudblood’s sister stomp toward the great hall in a cobalt swirl of self righteous fury, I hated them both for having what I didn’t.
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Iris POV
I trudged through the snow that was coming down hard and fast, just as predicted. It was an early snow, especially since it was still October. I knew it probably wasn’t a good idea, but I just had to check on Suri and the rest of the herd to make sure they had gotten to their cave okay. The plan was to be quick; just get in and out. It would have been impossible to know where I was going, so thick and swirling was the snow, had I not been down this exact path from the castle to the forest many, many times before. As I approached what I knew in my head was the edge of the forbidden forest, I noticed with alarm that there were shoe prints, already almost covered from the continuously falling snow, leading deeper into the Forest. They were much too small to be Hagrid's, who was the only person I would trust besides myself to navigate through a blizzard. Suri and the herd completely forgotten, I hurried forward to follow the prints before they completely disappeared. They led me deeper and deeper into the heart of the forest until, distressed, I realized the trail had ended. I had to decide whether to continue looking for this missing student or go back myself. I glanced around and was just about to head back when something large and black barreled into me from out of nowhere. My heart leapt into my throat and I was about to scream when I heard a familiar voice mutter, “Merlin’s beard!” in a raspy tone. With relief, I realized that the black form was a student dressed head to toe in his uniform. “Regulus?” He looked horrible. His sharp face was red from wind burn and cold, and icy snow stuck to his hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows. “What are you doing here?” I hissed. “Get away from me, mudblood,” he growled, stumbling back. He looked completely and utterly frozen. I ignored the insult, remembering suddenly that he was on prefect patrol by the forest Thursday and Friday mornings. He must have gotten lost in the blizzard, and no wonder. It was getting worse by the second. With a sinking feeling I realized that my own footprints, our map back to the castle, were gone. Maybe I had been too confident in my blizzard navigating skills. I shoved away the panicky feeling growing in me and tried to think rationally. “Do you have your wand?” I asked him, wishing I had brought mine. “What do you think?” he snarled. What a fine pair of wizards we made. When I had reasoned out which was most likely the way back I said, “C’mon, let’s go,” and led the way through the white swirling mass. It took me only a few strides to realize that Regulus was already falling behind. I glanced back and watched him stumble along at an agonizingly slow pace before dashing back to grab his arm and pull him along with me. The snow was almost up to our knees now and we stumbled more than once. We waded along in silence, our white breath disappearing into the mass around us. My hands became numb first and without any gloves they were bright red. Then my toes. Then my nose started running uncontrollably. I wondered how long it took to get frostbite. Or to freeze to death. I wondered who would notice we had gone missing first. I wondered how long it would take for the snow to melt and for them to find our frozen, limp bodies. I knew I shouldn’t be thinking such things but my thought process was going in circles. Finally, Regulus stumbled so much that he pitched forward into me and I only barely managed to keep him upright. His gray eyes met mine and instead of the anger I expected, I saw despair. He shook his head. I felt an unexpected burst of rage flare up inside of me. How dare he give up. And then, before I realized what I was doing, I slapped him. His eyes snapped to mine, shocked. “I am getting out of this, and you are coming with me,” I hissed, glaring at him. Then I slipped one of his arms across my shoulder, supporting him, and without another word we continued on. Even with the slow pace we were going at, I knew it had been too long. We should have been out into the clearing now, yet we were still passing by tree after frozen tree. I had chosen the wrong way. I refused to give in, though. After all, our only two choices were to keep going or lay down and freeze to death, and I was not going down without a fight. Regulus’s body weight made my back and shoulder ache but there was comfort in not being alone. Even if the boy I was in company with hated me for simply being born. The white blanket in front of us was so thick it took me a few minutes to realize we were not being constantly scrapped in the face by needle covered branches. I tried to laugh but nothing came out of my frozen throat. We were going to make it. We wouldn’t die a premature death in the woods after all. I turned to Regulus to share the news but before I could get out a single word, he collapsed. I fell into the snow beside him. “Oh no. Oh no no no. You are not going to die now,” I said desperately. I tried shaking him and lightly hitting his face. Nothing. “Get up you miserable boy!” I pleaded, feeling his pulse. It was still there. I tried lifting him up but my upper arm strength was lacking and he was by no means light, especially with his robes soaked through. With no other ideas, I grasped the hood of his robes and pulled him on his back through the snow. The angle I was dragging him at kept his limp head lifted, but there was nothing I could do about the snow pilling on his shoulders and chest. I had no idea where I was going, absolutely no sense of direction. So it was purely by accident that I hit my foot on something hard and stumbled forward. I tried to stop the tears that came springing to my eyes but I had to admit, it was so tempting just to lie there and not get back up. I considered the snow in front of me, then rapidly blinked to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. There was a plank of wood under the snow. No, not just a plank, a few stairs. I reached out through the pouring snow and my hand made contact with what I now realized was the door to Hagrid’s cabin. I started cough-laughing deliriously, never having been so happy to see a door in my life. I hoisted myself up and leaned on the handle, relief washing over me when the door swung open. I stumbled around the dark cabin croaking out Hagrid’s name but my luck had run out. I guessed he had stayed at the castle in lieu of the blizzard warnings. A smart move. I went back outside and dragged Regulus up the steps, trying to be careful about the bumps but at the same time not really caring. We had made it. I left him on the floor and shut the door on the cutting wind and snow. Then I grabbed the daily prophet off of Hagrid’s large wooden table, along with a pack of matches. I crumpled it up and lit it, along with the wooden planks, already in the fireplace. It took me a great deal of effort to pull Regulus up onto Hagrid’s ginormous bed and with the warmth starting to emit from the fireplace, the exhaustion of the morning hit me like a ton of bricks. My body screamed at me to lay down but I knew if I left him like that he would catch something, if he hadn’t already. So, my body working on autopilot and my reluctant fingers fumbling along, I yanked off his soaked robes, shoes, socks, sweater, and tie. I was so exhausted that the realization that I was essentially ripping off a boy my age’s clothes in an abandoned cabin didn’t even embarrass me. By the time I got to his white button down shirt I had regained some of the feeling in my hands and somewhere in the back of my mind I registered the shaking and throbbing. By the third button, my cracked hands had started bleeding all over him. Finally I got the shirt and undershirt off and replaced it with one of Hagrid’s shirts I found lying around. Regulus was swimming in it. I pulled up the comforter and meant to warm my hands by the fire before starting on myself but my body had finally reached its limit and I collapsed into a giant leather chair, falling asleep instantly.
Regulus POV
I woke up with no idea where I was. I blinked up at the exposed beams and wooden ceiling and felt an all encompassing sense of warmth. I heard crackling and turned to see a fire burning low, almost all of its wood eaten up. I sat up, and my right cheek started throbbing. I touched it gingerly, and then the whole morning came back to me in a blur. Prefect duty. The woods. Iris somehow being there. Her fury; not when I called her a mudblood, but when I was giving up. I’d never seen her mad before. Not when I was rude, not when I was cruel, not when I was a complete jerk. That glare really was impressive. Then I remembered the never ending cold and everything going black. I lurched up, nearly tripping on the hem of my… T shirt? It was massive. Then I realized this must be that groundskeeper oaf’s hut. My clothes were strewn across the floor, blood staining some of them. Panicking, I looked around for Iris and found her curled up in a chair by the fire. She was shivering and her lips were blue. My stomach turned as I saw her hands: red, cracked, and bloody. I felt her burning forehead and immediately leapt into action. I threw on my still damp clothes as fast as I could, bundled her in one of the smaller blankets and scooped her up into my arms. Shoving the door open, I squinted in the bright sunlight that reflected off the mounds of snow. How long had it been? A day? Two? Luckily the snow had stopped and I could see the castle, clear as day. As fast as I could, which was not nearly fast enough, I waded through the snow and up the stone steps. The clock read five in the morning and it was a relief not to run into anyone. I burst into the hospital wing to find Pomfrey making the beds and I gently laid Iris down on one. “She was out in the blizzard. I think she has a fever. And her hands…” I babbled, annoyed with myself at how desperate I sounded. Pomphrey immediately sprang into action, fussing about and muttering to herself about the irresponsibility of kids these days. Before I knew what was happening, she had pushed me out the door and closed it behind me. I was tempted to go back in but I knew I would just be in the way. Instead, I slunk down to my dorm room, the adrenaline buzz wearing off. I was relieved to find my roommates still asleep, and snuck into the bathrooms for a hot shower and dry clothes. As I let the water wash over me, I began to put the pieces together. She must have saved me after I blacked out. Somehow brought me to the hut and was still sensible enough to get me out of those freezing clothes. I felt a pang of guilt thinking about her bloodied hands. She must have helped me change even through the bleeding. And then what? Was too weak to help herself? Why hadn’t she started with herself? The more I thought about it, the more furious I became. I didn’t want her help, but somehow I had needed it. She was a mudblood. She had been raised by people who were ‘less than’. Less developed. Less powerful. But she’s not, a voice in the back of my head whispered. I shoved it away. This was why Hogwarts, and the rest of the wizarding world, should be closed to all except pure bloods. The halfbloods and mudbloods had assimilated so much into the grain of our society that they had lulled us into a false sense of familiarity. It had taken six years for them to get to me, yet somehow they had. No matter. Repelling unwanted emotions was my specialty. I would move on and forget this day. After all, even dogs had moments of comfort and bravery. But that did not make them our equals. I made it all of the way out of the shower and into a fresh set of robes before the image of her hands popped into my head. Anger bubbled up in my stomach. I went out in the common room and read the first few paragraphs of my novel before her angry glare infiltrated my thoughts. I aimed my own glare out the windows. I made it to the doors of the Great Hall for breakfast before that determined, snow bitten face jumped to the center of my thoughts. I growled and spun on my heel, finally heading to the place I truly want to go, my appetite lost. I bursted into the hospital wing and barked, “How is she?” I knew my respect was lacking but I needed to know. Pomfrey narrowed her eyes and hissed, “Voice down, Mr Black.” I raked my eyes across the room and saw that she had been moved to a different bed. She was sleeping peacefully, a cool rag across her forehead and an unfamiliar green goop on her hands. I paced over to her, but having no inclination to sit, furiously paced right back. In a lower voice than before I growled, “How is she?” “No visitors are allowed at this time, Mr Black.” I stood there smoldering, making it clear that if she thought for one second her command was going to have any effect at all, she was wrong. She seemed to think I was more trouble than I was worth because after a charged moment she sighed and said, “She’ll recover. She has a high fever, mild cold, and her hands are severely frostbitten. I’d say she’ll be out in two days at most.” This knowledge should have eased some of the tension I was feeling but all I could think of was how mad I was. I simultaneously felt as if I would only be happy if she was completely back to her normal self, or if she was sure to be suffering for months. “What are you doing about it?” I asked abruptly. Pomfrey looked taken aback. “I’ve slathered lemon seed fairy secretion mixed with Cornish pixie saliva on her hands and placed a dragon berry juice infused towel on her forehead to bring down the fever. She’ll drink Eadlyn’s All Purpose Elixir when she wakes up every five hours on the hour until the cold is gone.” “That’s not good enough,” I hissed, furious with myself for not being able to do anything. Furious with Pomfrey for no reason at all. Furious with the world in general. And mostly furious with Iris for getting mixed up with me. “Young man-“ Pomfery had begun, incensed, but feeling eyes on me, I turned to find Iris sitting up in bed. I was going to kill her. I was going to scream at her to leave me alone until she listened and never even thought about coming near me again. She looked me up and down. “Are you okay?” she asked, her voice laced with concern. And with that single sentence all my fury was gone. I was floored. How could she, the girl in the hospital bed with hands so damaged two more minutes in the cold would have frozen them off, be worried about me? It was astonishing and I couldn’t understand it a bit. How could she, a mudblood, be so selfless? I stood there, unable to speak. Her voice taking a more panicked edge, she turned to Pomfrey and repeated the question. “Yes he’s fine, fine. As healthy as a disrespectful young man can be,” she said briskly, rearranging her pillows and pouring the elixir from its bottle into a shot glass. “Now drink.” She did, grimacing as it went down and then looked back at me, a little guiltily. “What about his face?” “I’ll heal it in a second. Not sure what that's from,” Pomfrey said, eyeing my red cheek. “And he’s got no cold or fever?” “Cold?” Pomfrey barked, staring daggers at me. “He blacked out and collapsed in the snow storm,” she said, drily. At this revelation, Pomfrey shoved me none too gently down onto a bed and began taking my temperature and looking into my eyes, scolding the whole time. “So, you bring in your friend-“ “We’re not friends-“ I interrupted, then wondered if that was true. Did surviving a life threatening situation automatically make two people friends? “-But don’t mention a thing about yourself being with her. Not one single word. And then you just waltz out of here as if blacking out is a perfectly normal way to spend your Fridays. Not a single word. Honestly, you teenagers are constantly thinking too much of your perceived ‘toughness’. Blacking out! Merlin's beard.” At this point she had finished her lecture and assessment and strictly commanded me to lay in bed until she released me. When she had disappeared into her office I walked over to Iris and stood there, not sure how to begin. She looked at me, slightly amused, and finally said, “Yes?” “How did you find me?” She looked away and began to tiredly massage her forehead with her hand before wincing and gently laying her hand back on the sheets. I had to tear my eyes away from the grotesque goop. “I was going to check on…” she paused, hesitating. “You don’t have to trust me,” I told her, and it was true. I had done absolutely nothing to earn it. Just because I trusted her, which just in that moment I realized I wholeheartedly did, didn’t mean the feeling had to be mutual. She opened her mouth and told me anyway. “Dumbledore’s been letting Hagrid help me train a Thestral. It’s so I can get to my job at Hogsmeade quicker. I wanted to check on her and the rest of the heard which I now realize was stupid. And then I saw your tracks and, well…” I nodded and swallowed. “I um,” I cleared my throat and had to stare fixedly at the bedside lamp to deliver my message. “I’m sorry about Flourish and Blotts. The way I behaved was… unnecessary.” It cost me every bit of pride inside me to say it but I knew I had to. It was perhaps the only way I could move on from this mortifying incident. I realized I owed her now and wanted my conscience completely clear. And if I did occasionally feel a sting of remorse for my actions, no one had to know that. When she didn’t immediately answer I glanced down at her. She was looking at me with an expectant face. “Anything else?” I couldn’t believe her! Wasn’t one apology enough? “And I’m sorry for giving up in the woods,” I growled reluctantly. “Well it’s a start,” she said, eyeing me closely. “I’m not sure you mean it but at least you had the humility to spit it out.” I glared at her but it was hard to keep it up when I remembered she was in a hospital bed because of me. After a moment of her analyzing me, which caused me to shift uncomfortably in my shoes, she held out her hand and said, “We’re even, okay?” I knew from the look in her eye that I had her forgiveness; it was more than I deserved. For the first time, I truly was humbled by her grace, and I gently took the tips of her fingers and shook them with my head hung. She leaned back into her pillow with a satisfied expression and I stood there next to her until Pomfrey came out to chain me to my bed.
Lyla POV
“Sometimes I feel like I’m nothing like my sister.” I was sitting on the stone floor, looking up at Helena. She tilted her head in response and I clarified. “I mean, we’re very similar. We like a lot of the same things. We have the same sense of humor. Besides our hair color, we look a lot alike. It’s just sometimes…” I trailed off, unsure of how to continue. I was most certainly rattled by the news of my sister nearly freezing to death, but couldn’t help but think about the other person with her. Regulus Black. She had saved him. Would I have? Would I have chosen to follow those footprints into the snowy forest in search of a mystery person? I didn’t know, and it bothered me. After all, the last time I had seen Black I had attacked him. “It’s just—my sister is the sun,” I finally explained. “She is bright and warm and necessary. She chases darkness away and keeps the cold at bay. Sometimes there are clouds or she burns you, but the majority of the time she’s there, a glowing ball of kindness. Sunshine in human form. I’m not that.” “What are you then,” Helena asked, and I felt like her glassy, clear eyes could see straight into my soul. “The moon,” I answered truthfully. I waited for the ghost to respond, but she only continued to examine me. “I don’t chase away darkness; I’m present in the night, only providing minimal light. I just reflect the sun’s brightness, a lesser force. I’m cold and distant and constantly going through phases. Sometimes I’m not even there.” “If I recall correctly, and I am confident I do, the moon is always present,” the Grey Lady tossed her long hair over one shoulder. “It is only a matter of its position relative to the sun. That is entirely due to gravity which isn’t at all the moon's fault. There’s also something to be said about staying through the night. Not everyone had the courage to do that.” The ghost turned away to look down the long, silent corridor, and I wondered what she was thinking about. “There is power in seeing the worst of someone and still loving them.” I looked down at my hands. I wanted to do that, but could I afford to with all of the danger surrounding me? Yes, I decided. I most certainly could. “Also the moon creates tides and waves. It’s used in astronomy and astrology. It shows passage of time and represents the unknown of space beyond earth,” Helena continued to list the moon's better qualities, but I found myself thinking back to Regulus. A first-magnitude star in the constellation Leo, my brain supplied. Regulus was a star. Distant and unknown but when approached becomes as bright as the sun. Lonely. Underestimated. Mythicized. Special. “There’s no need to thank me,” the Grey Lady was saying. “I’m just always right. I give the best advice.” “You do, Helena,” I agreed, rising from the floor. “If you’ll excuse me now, I need to go make an apology.” *** I found Regulus Black in the library. I approached him and peered over his shoulder at what he was reading. Dark Objects and Their Uses the title glared up at me. It was almost enough to get me to turn around then and there. I took a deep breath to steady myself. “Regulus?” It came out as a question. The boy turned around, slamming the book closed and slipping it into his bag in one swift motion. “What do you want?” His voice was cold and hard. I felling into the seat next to him, hoping it came across as bold and not the attempt to still my quaking legs that is was. “I want to apologize,” I said, using all of my courage to maintain eye contact. Regulus’s eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he didn’t say anything. “I’m sorry for hitting you. It was inappropriate, unnecessary, and very rude,” I was speaking in a rush. “Also, thank you for carrying my sister back. I misjudged you. I know your life is very hard, and I made it worse. I’m so sorry. But also you shouldn’t have called my sister that. But also I’m sorry. I hope you forgive me, and we can be…friends. So, um, yeah.” I finished lamely. Regulus continued to study me. I squirmed uncomfortably. “Your name is Lyla,” he said after a pregnant pause. “Yes,” I confirmed even though it wasn’t a question. “I respect you,” Regulus admitted. He looked like he had just bit into a lemon, his faced scrunched in pain. “Oh?” I couldn’t help my surprise. “Don’t make me say it again,” Regulus warned. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I value your commitment to family and your bravery to protect them.” He sighed again and rolled his eyes. “I accept your apology, but not the offer to friendship.” “Why not?” I pouted, unsure of why I was upset. “You’re friends with my sister.” It was Regulus’s turned to be surprise and my turn to roll my eyes. “Weren’t not friends,” he insisted. Boys and their emotional constipation. Ridiculous. “Fine,” I said. “I just don’t want to be afraid of you.” I snapped my teeth shut. Whoops, I probably shouldn’t have said that. “It’s smart to be afraid,” Regulus said, leaning back in his seat. “Why does everyone keep saying that!” I exclaimed, annoyed. “I think that it’s smarter to be brave. How are you going to life if you’re terrified of everything?” “In order to live, you have to first survive,” Regulus retorted. “Let me give you some advice, Zemen. Fear keeps you alive. We’re at war. You need to watch your back.” I stared at him with wide eyes, but he continued. “Fear has help me become who I am, unflinching and perfect. My reputation is based on the fear of others and keeps me safe.” “Okay Mr. Reputation,” I squinted at him. “It doesn’t sound like you’re living a lot.” “Who said living is the goal?” “Then what is?” Regulus didn’t answer. “Look,” I leaned forward. “I know you have this whole facade to keep up, but it looks like you need someone in your corner. So, not friends, but just someone you don’t have to worry about stabbing you in the back when your guard is down. Sound like a deal, Mr. Rep?” I stuck out my hand. Regulus scowled at it for a moment before taking it, giving it one hard shake. “Fine,” he relented. “But don’t call me that.” I stood up and grinned. “See you around, Mr. Reputation.” I darted out of the library before he could murder me.
Iris POV
“And then in Transfiguration you just missed a lecture so I’ll leave you my notes to copy. I asked Liam about what you did in Potions and he said it was a demo so he’ll catch you up when you're feeling better,” Mel finished. “Thanks, you’re the best.” “I know,” she said, flipping her hair over her shoulder and grinning. “And please thank everyone for all of the food, too. Honestly, I’m only staying here for another day, not six months!” I joked, gazing at my enormous stash of butter beers and fizzing whiz bees plus the mountain of different soups that Mel had made, just for me. “Well, you know we all miss you. Even a day without being in your presence is a struggle,” she said in a dramatic voice. I rolled my eyes. “I can’t believe I’m calling it this, but it’s nice to have some normal conversation.” Mel glanced over at the now empty bed. “As opposed to Slytherin conversation I’m guessing?” “Yep,” I agreed. I was completely confused by Regulus’s behavior. He was in equal turns furious, agitated, calm, worried, and even repentant. To think that people always said girls were the ones with crazy mood swings. You don’t have to trust me, is what he’d said. It was because of that very sentence I decided I did. “Well, hopefully I’ll be outta here by tonight,” I said. “How are the hands?” Mel asked sympathetically. I peeled back a bit of the nasty green stuff to reveal new, pink skin. “Much better, thanks.” “Okay well I better get going. Lyla will be mad at me for cutting into her visiting time. I’ll send her in,” and with a wave, she was gone.
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Lyla POV
I arrived fifteen minutes early to Charms arm in arm with Amanda and Bryant, just as I always did. To anyone who would ask, we liked to say that the extra time was used to focus in on the class we were about to begin, but really we just liked the feel of having the room all to themselves to discuss whatever the latest Ravenclaw news was. Today however, a Slytherin from the class before had stayed behind to ask Flitwick to clarify a few concepts they had learned. I waved to Regulus, feeling much more comfortable with him since our talk, but he didn’t see because his back was to me. “And then Maya asked to join their study group just so she could hang out with Kota. I personally think she could do better. That particular friend group is a little toxic,” Amanda finished. I was about to answer when my stomach churned. I hadn’t felt that great this morning, but my policy was that unless she was on death’s door, I went to class. “No way,” Bryant was saying. “I thought Kota was dating Greta.” “I think they broke up. Poor Greta,” I said. My stomach violently heaved in agreement and, alarmed, I got up to ask permission to use the Lou. I hurried up next to Regulus who was jotting down a few tips in his notebook. “And don’t forget a nice, clean wand stroke, Black, precise movements are essential,” Flitwick squeaked. “Professor-“ I interjected, urgently. “One minute Miss Zemen. As long as you use the correct pronunciation and form you should have success.” I opened my mouth to insist upon leaving, but instead of words, what seemed like gallons of suspiciously neon puke erupted out all over Regulus’s robes. The trio stood in shock for a moment before Amanda and Bryant came rushing over. “Lyla! Are you all right?” Bryant asked, breathlessly. “I don’t feel good.” “You think?” Amanda exclaimed, and sidestepped out of the way just as another burst of vomit showered onto the wooden floors. I staggered this time, the force of it causing me to stumble forward. Regulus caught my elbow, propping me up. “She needs to go to the Hospital Wing. I’ll take her, Professor,” Regulus said, valiantly trying to veil his repulsion. “Oh we can take her,” Amanda offered, looking concerned. “Nonsense,” Flitwick interjected. “You two will remain in class. Mr Black will take her. And quickly,” he said, glancing towards the door where students had begun filing in. Regulus supported me as we staggered out of the room, leaving a trail of vomit behind us. Everytime I heaved, his robes became more and more soaked through, but he barely flinched the whole way there. My ego was thankful for that. “Sorry,” I moaned sadly, when I could get in a breath. “Don’t worry,” he answered gently. I wondered if perhaps his mind strayed to another young lady who shared my eyes and height. Oooooo, I thought and promptly threw up again. The pair of us were so consumed by the wrenching, that when we burst into the Hospital Wing, we didn’t notice a second group huddled around a bed across the aisle that housed a boy with a significantly larger than average head. Only once Regulus had carefully lowered me onto the bed, did I get a view of the four Gryffindors who watched in amazement as Regulus called for Madam Pomfrey. She rushed over and didn’t seem remotely phased by the projectile vomiting, producing a wooden bucket and glass of water in seconds. Regulus waited for my puking to slow, but the glowing, green goop seemed never ending. Seemingly unsure what to do, he patted my back and held my hair out of my face. “Don’t you have a cure?” he asked Pomfrey, who was standing there looking me over. “I don’t,” she said, her gaze slicing across the room to land significantly on the Gryffindors. Regulus only then noticed the pack and I watched through my sickly haze as his posture immediately stiffened. Now this quartet was no ordinary gang of students. They were known throughout Hogwarts as the ‘Marauders’, famous for their pranks, popularity, good looks, and ride or die friendship. Peter Pettigrew, rather known as the runt of the group, had somehow managed to blow up his head so that it looked like an over inflated balloon and was lying in the bed looking meekly at Madam Pomfrey with bulging eyes. Remus Lupin and James Potter sat beside him, the former looking slightly guilty as he watched me and the latter grinning charismatically while saying, “Well, I suppose that’s our cue, boys.” Regulus however, only watched the fourth boy. The one with the same hair, same parents, and same name as him. They stared at each other, both of their faces unreadable besides the initial shock. I shifted in my bed uncomfortably. “You will give me the antidote or you will serve detention scrubbing the chamber pots with me every night until Christmas,” Madam Pomfrey said, sharply. James seemed unconcerned by her tone. “You got it, Ma'am," he said, winking. This whole situation was entraitining and all, but I feared this could go on for hours if I didn’t intervene. I interrupted loudly, "Alright Mr. Reputation, could you get Iris?” “Of course,” he answered, tearing his gaze from his brother, and swiftly leaving the room, not even bothering to protest the nickname. Sirius stared at the door he had exited, shocked by the familiar nickname his brother had been called by a known mudblood. And a mudblood girl from Ravenclaw, no less! Everything about their interaction had been jarring. Regulus's actions had been so… brotherly. Sirius was at a loss for what could have caused this change. James, under the searing glare of Madam Pomfrey, meandered towards the door, dragging Sirius along with him. “We'll be back before you can say, 'projectile neon vomit'!” James called, cheerfully. Madam Pomfrey bustled into her office and the remaining students were left alone in silence. Peter, exhausted with the events of the day and the amount of effort it took to hold his head up, fell sound asleep and Remus was left to guiltily watch me cover myself in my own half digested breakfast. I looked down at it intently, studying it. Remus raised a brow, noticing the look. Then I said, “Two vials of lithium acetate per batch.” He blinked at me. “That’s what would have caused the uncontrollable heaving. And I assume the color was created by adding a dash of beetle shell powder.” I watched as a look of amazement dawned on his face and knew I was right. His face split into an unexpected grin and I tried not to notice how it lit up his face. I then went on to list (in between heaves) exactly what ingredients and what measurements the marauders had used to create the mixture, simply by the symptoms I showed. I wasn’t showing off, I was just distracting myself from the nausea. “And then hid them in the caramels that were passed around the Great Hall this morning. Did I miss anything?” I finished. “No,” Remus answered, looking impressed. “I’m Lyla Zemen, by the way,” I babbled. I was becoming less and less coherent by the minute. “Remus Lupin. It’s a pleasure.” “You know what I take pleasure in?” I asked, feeling delirious. “Books. Particularly novels. Have you ever read The Chronicles of Narnia? You should,” I said vehemently, bobbing her head up and down enthusiastically. I went on that way for quite a while, though I wasn’t sure how easy it was to follow. I had the feeling all he was gathering from the one sided conversation was that their were four siblings who are locked in a freezing closet or something. He looked simultaneously amused and guilty. He murmured something under his breath that sounded a lot like, “What is taking Padfoot and Prongs so long?” But that couldn’t be right. She probably had misheard over the ringing in her ears. Then he muttered, “I hope they don’t run into Lily. They can flirt with her for hours.” That she probably did hear right. It was a well known fact even among Ravenclaws that James Potter was head over heals for Lily Evans. The door opened, but instead of James and Sirius, Iris rushed in looking worried. She immediately started rubbing my back and asking how I was. “Where’s Regulus?” I asked, looking around to find her alone. “Oh, he went to tell Ms Sandra that I’m missing work until further notice.” Remus looked stricken. Finally, James and Sirius returned with what I noticed was only one serving size of the antidote. They were probably holding out the rest for some nefarious purpose of their own. After it had been administered, I downed three bottles of water and then settled in under the covers. As I laid there, I eavesdropped in the Gryffindor. James and Sirius left shortly after for Quidditch practice after Remus had assured them he didn't mind waiting with Peter, whose head was ever so slowly deflating. The room wasn't quiet for long though. As soon as the last class of the day got out, Mel arrived armed with multiple jars of soup and baked goods, as well as the twins. The group quickly set up quite the camp. Taking over the empty beds on each side of mine, they spread out books, food, homework, various plants, blankets, and pillows. As soon as Amanda and Bryant had entered, I had demanded to be told every single thing I had missed that day. I was already feeling anxious about it. Luckily, the twins had been prepared and brought their own handwritten notes, explaining the lectures almost word for word and helping me catch up on all of the homework in only a few hours. “Neurotic much?” Mel had muttered, and I had caught Remus smirking but I could kiss Amanda and Bryant for their forethought. Then I insisted on sorting the random plant samples that were crumbling and decaying all over the beds. I couldn’t fall behind on my work just because I was sick. Madam Pomfrey, who was normally strict about the visitor limit, didn't seem bothered a bit at the happy mess we were making. I even saw her smile once or twice before clearing her throat and continuing on with her tasks. After the homework and plant situation was sorted (Mel was to deliver the plants the next morning), Iris cracked open a muggle book titled Anne of Green Gables and my friends passed it around, taking turns reading and doing the voices. I spotted Remus watching somewhat longingly and motioned for him to come over. Looking uncomfortable, he perched on the edge of a bed and tentatively read a few pages. But after a couple of minutes in the welcoming atmosphere, I could see him relax. Soon, he was laughing and happily chatting as if he had been our friend for years. I settled into the covers. Maybe neon vomit wasn’t the worst thing that could happen to a person.
Regulus POV
It was a bad idea to get close to Iris Zemen. Logically, I knew this. Once you got to know someone it was an extreme bother to go back to hating them. And I knew that in theory I should be hating her. It’s what my parents would expect. It’s what I would expect of myself. But I wondered if it would really be so bad to make an exception. Was it really true that every single muggleborn was less than. Surely there would be exceptions and was it so crazy to think that I had found one? Fate seemed determined to throw us together and who was I to deny fate, not that I had ever believed in it before? As I hopped on my broom, the familiarity of it automatically calmed me and I decided to fly a few laps around the stadium before working on drills. As I rose into the air, fate spoke again. There she was, basking in the late afternoon sunlight, music wafting through the air from a record player next to her. Why she brought I record player into the Quidditch stands, I had no idea. I could fly away, she hadn’t seen me yet and I had plenty of homework to get done at the castle. I could, but I didn’t. After all, it was such a beautiful night for flying, it would be a shame to waste it. At least, that’s what I told myself as I went over to join her.
Iris POV
I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feel of golden sunlight pleasantly warming my face. With my back pressed against the wooden backing of the quidditch bleachers, my legs stretched out in front of me, and a light breeze catching up my hair, I listened to the musical notes that issued from the record player charmed to play any song on demand that Lyla gave me for my birthday. Someone interrupted my ponderings by asking, “Needed to get away from the castle?” I smiled slightly upon recognizing that someone’s voice and opened my eyes. Regulus was hovering on his broom, as confident and collected as ever. “Yes. I wanted a bit of peace. This is where I go to be alone,” I said, looking around contentedly. “Well if that isn’t a hint I don’t know what is,” he said, raising his eyebrow and starting to turn his broom around. “It’s not a hint,” I said earnestly. “Honestly.” He seemed doubtful but looked around as well and said, “This is where I come to be alone too.” It really was peaceful out here with the birds chirping and the wind rustling the trees and stands. The conversation came to a slightly awkward pause and it looked as if he was going to turn away but before he could, I asked bluntly, “Do you want to be lab partners in potions?” Regulus looked surprised. “Aren’t you working with that Hufflepuff?” “Liam ditched me for some pretty Ravenclaw girl.” I rolled my eyes. “So much for loyalty.” He narrowed his and cut straight to the point. “Why are you doing this?” “Doing what?” I asked. “Befriending me.” Oh, that. “I’m doing it because…” Because I always saw him walking the corridors alone? Because I’d never seen him smile before in my life, not even when he caught the snitch? Because it was the Hufflepuff way? “Because you seem like you could use someone in your corner.” In one fluid motion Regulus gracefully swung off his broom, landed on the bench before me, and started pacing with a frown. “I don’t need anyone.” I gave a derisive laugh. “If you believe that then you’re a lot stupider than I thought.” Instead of bursting into a rage like I expected him to, he actually grinned. It was the first time I had ever seen him smile and it was not at all like I expected. Instead of cruel and sarcastic it was boyish and infectious and softened all his harsh features, bringing out dimples I didn’t even know he had. “That’s the meanest thing I’ve ever heard you say,” he said, sounding immensely amused. “Don’t sound so pleased!” I scolded. “Well. We can agree to disagree. I have a whole foolproof argument to back up my belief, and I suppose you have some thoughts too,” he added as I opened my mouth to protest, “but it’s too nice of a day to enjoy a fight.” “Alright,” I said reluctantly. At that moment a spiky haired figure came flying out of nowhere and comes to a swift halt in front of the two of us. “Enjoying a little chat are we?” Madam Hooch asked, her eyes piercing into us. Before either of us could answer she said, “As you both know the quidditch stands are not open to the public and an appointment must be made before use.” Now, I had sat on these bleachers many a time without so much as a murmur from her or anyone else, so I had to assume that Regulus was the problem, most likely because it was a well known fact that the Slytherins liked to play dirty and Hooch took this as a personal slight. “Yes, Madam Hooch we do know,” I answered in as reasonable a tone as I could muster. “But the thing is Reg here uses quidditch as a way to cope with the day's trials,” I said, good naturedly slapping his back and ignoring the many different faces he was throwing my way. “It’s sort of therapeutic for him, you know how it is. Burning off steam in a healthy, even beneficial way. Mel does it all the time.” At the mention of one of her favorite students in the history of Hogwarts (and my relation to them) Hooch softened just the tiniest of bits. “I suppose there are worse ways to exert your energy. Merlin knows Potter’s way is much more destructive. Well, get on your brooms then and don’t be out past dark or I’ll deliver you both to Filch myself,” she finished gruffly and departed. As soon as she is gone Regulus confronts me. “Reg?” He looked at me like I'm a madwoman. “Yeah. Reg,” I said defensively. “Everyone needs a nickname.” “Not you too,” he muttered exasperatedly. “Who else gave you a nickname?” I asked, intrigued. “You sister,” he bit out, glaring daggers at me. I beamed. “How is she, by the way?” and sounded as if he was actually curious about the answer. “Perfectly fine. She was discharged yesterday,” I told him. “Good,” he said awkwardly. Then, as if he couldn’t help himself, reverted back to the original conversation. “If everyone needs a nickname, what’s your nickname then?” he pushed. “Rissy,” I answered. “People call you that?” he asked dubiously. “Mel and Lyla do.” “Do I have to call you that?” He sounded repulsed by the very thought of it. “No, but you have to let me call you Reg,” I said, compromising. At this he sighed rather dramatically in my opinion, and grumbled, “Fine,” but I could see the shadow of a smile that he tried to hide. I grinned and patted the spot on the ground next to me. He hesitated before carefully sitting down with his legs crossed. “Reg, huh?” he said, testing it out. “Great right?” I asked. “Hmph,” was all he said, but the corner of his mouth twitched up just the same. One song slid effortlessly into the next song and still we sat there listening until twilight faded to dusk and dusk to dark. Regulus didn’t get any practicing in but he didn’t seem to mind as we hiked back up to the castle together.
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Lyla POV
“No!” I shouted, annoyed that I’d let my imagination distract me from the golden retriever I was walking. Indy was my sister and I’s plump dog who I had managed to sneak into Hogwarts. All summer I had been brainstorming how to accomplish this and ended up charming her crate to look like it housed a very large orange cat. Now I had enchanted her collar to make her invisible to anyone over the age of twenty. Perhaps I should have also made it have the ability to stun. I tore after Indy who had, unfortunately, spotted a niffler and was intent on making it her supper. Seeing as the niffler was heading for the safety of Hagrid’s hut, I cut across Hogwarts’ rolling grounds ignoring the zig zag pattern the dog and her prey were making. I tugged at my blue scarf, getting quite annoyed as I leaped over the first sprouts of Hagrid’s famous pumpkins. The niffler made a sudden left turn and I dove, snatching up the creature and holding him high in the air, victorious. Apparently luck was not on my side today. Rather than stopping to stare at the niffler in my arms, Indy bounded right past me, straight towards a gaggle of boys. “No,” I groaned again. Maybe I should have just left the dog at home. Indy happily vaulted herself onto one of the boys, knocking him clean off his feet and into a pile of what I prayed was mud and not poop. I ran forward, thoroughly embarrassed with the entire situation, and snatched Indy’s leash, pulling her back. She barked gleefully and began chasing her tail. “I’m so sorry!” I said, a blush uncomfortably heating my cheeks. “She’s a bit psycho.” I looked at the boy in the (hopefully) mud properly for the first time and realized that I recognized him. “Hey, you’re Remus Lupin!” “The one and only,” the boy replied, getting hauled to his feet by whom I believed wasJames Potter. “And there’s no reason to apologize,” Remus sent a half smile my way, looking at me through the sandy curls that scattered around his forehead. “If anything, I should be the one doing it. I never did say sorry properly. So…er…sorry.” “It’s fine really. Call us even.” I smiled back, struggling to hold the squirming niffler and now Indy tangled in her leash. Another boy, recognizable as Sirius Black, leaned toward James and whispered, not so quietly, “Who are we talking to again?” I stuck out my hand, ignoring the slight flush in my cheeks, and introduced myself, “I’m Lyla Zemen.” James and Sirius eyebrows shot up in unison and glanced at each other with obvious mischief in their eyes. “Oh! Remus told us about you,” James stepped in closer to me and threw an arm around my shoulders. I tried not to stumble in surprise. “You’re the one that ate our carmels!” I winced, the memory of puking still too fresh in my mind. “Yeah sorry about that,” Sirius said, winking. He was obviously trying to pull out his signature charm. I resisted rolling my eyes, unimpressed, instead choosing to study him. He was completely the opposite of his brother. A leather jacket was swung over his shoulder, and his tie was around his head, knotted to one side. Both his ears and his lip had piercings and a studded collar wrapped around his neck. His long, perfectly maintained, black hair fell into deep gray eyes. Yes, I thought. The eyes are the same as his brothers. “What’s with the dog,” James gestured to Indy, arm still carelessly placed on my shoulders. “I thought they were, I dunno, illegal at Hogwarts.” I shrugged, “What the teachers don’t know won’t kill them.” James and Sirius hooted, slapping me on the back, causing me to stumble. “Good one! I like you!” Sirius cried. “It’s nice to know not all Ravenclaws are stuck ups.” I narrowed my eyes at him. Remus, who must have sensed the tension his friend was oblivious to, held out his hands to the niffler. “Here, we are the ones who lost the niffler. I can take it.” “You lost the niffler?” I raised an eyebrow, challenging him. “Yes,” Remus’s kind smile turned into a smirk as he rose to the bait. It made him look more boyish and playful. “Don’t bring anything of value to the great hall for dinner tonight,” he warned. “Thanks for the tip,” I said, handing over the niffler. “Welp,” James clapped his hands together. “We best be going. Mischief awaits. See you around, Zemen.” The Gryffindor now threw his arm around Remus, and turned him around. “Bye,” I bent over to start detangling Indy. Sirius started singing some Queen song which quickly turned into James being all of the instruments at once and all three boys doing terrible dance moves. I shook my head slightly before making my way down to the Quidditch stadium to watch Mel’s practice. Those boys were like a moving ball of energy. I found I liked it. “Come on, Indy,” I told my dog who was joyfully panting up at me. “You seriously need a bath.” As I headed back towards the castle I couldn’t help but hum to myself. Killer Queen was an excellent song after all.
Iris POV
The next Tuesday I got up early with Mel who had morning quidditch practice so I could walk Indy. We went to the hufflepuff table in the great hall, me still in my pajamas, which was the only one that had food. We ate in a daze until Regulus came up to the table, his unshakable demeanor fully restored. Mel (who was not a morning girl) saw his slytherin robes and groaned, “if you’ve come to trash talk us I would wait, we won’t even register what you're saying until lunch time.” “Actually, I was hoping I could take some food,” he said coolly. “And poison us with it? Not a chance,” Liam, another Hufflepuff in my year said grumpily. “Come on David,” I scolded. “We couldn’t eat all this if we tried.” I said, pushing baskets of food towards Regulus. He took some. “Oh and I finished the potions homework. Thanks for the notes, I’ll give them back to you at lunch.” “You figured it out?” I asked. “Yep, I completely understand what I’m doing now.” “I’m glad they were helpful.” Then he walked away. Everyone stared at me. “What?” “Regulus Black is your friend?” Liam asked. “Yes. What’s wrong with that?” I’m not sure if I imagined it, but I thought I caught a glimpse of a smile on Regulus’s face as he walked away. "Sorry, I didn't realize it was him,” Mel said, sheepishly. “It’s fine,” I tell her. In the weeks following, Reg and I meet up in the corridors, during classes, and even in the great hall. I’m proud to say my project to befriend him worked wonderfully, although there were a few bumps along the road. Every once in a while we would get in a fight over his arrogance, my optimism, or conflicting viewpoints. But I never was one to hold a grudge for very long, and sooner or later we would talk it out. Day by day we learned to trust, appreciate, and enjoy each other a little bit more until I realized that I considered him a full fledged friend and wasn’t mad about it a bit.
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Regulus POV
Iris leads me expertly through the forest until we finally arrive in a clearing where the herd of thestrals is grazing. She had tod me this morning that we were going on an outing, no questions asked. Apparently this was it. She explains how the half giant helped her train the Thestral that apparently she has named Suri. It’s astonishing how affectionate the two are. Iris murmurs to her, calling this ugly creature beautiful and gently petting its muzzle. It’s clear how much she cares about it and by the way Suri nudges Iris’s hand, the feeling is mutual. She demonstrates how to call her with a whistle from her hands and how to mount and ride. Then to my surprise, asks if I want to join them. I ask if the creature will mind but she just says that as long she’s with me, Suri will be fine. I don’t know what causes me to accept, maybe the hopeful way she looks at me. And maybe because, even though animals are filthy and stupid, this one gives off a certain air of majesty and wonder. So I climb on and almost before I’m fully seated, Iris grabs onto Suri’s neck and she takes off into the air. Because I have no other choice but to fall to my death, I desperately wrap my arms around her waist as we soar through the sky. Suri clucks gleefully and then swoops down, brushing the tops of the trees with her wings making me feel like my stomach is about to fall out of my nose. I love flying on my Nimbus, but riding a broom is a swift and smooth feeling, one where you’re the only brain involved and are completely in control. Riding a beast is much more jerky and you have to trust it not to go insane and kill you. Despite this, Iris is laughing and crooning to Suri. Who knew she would act like such a gryffindor? I have to admit I did not imagine her to be an adrenaline junkie but it’s kind of endearing. She looks over her shoulder at me, grinning and yells, “What do you think?” She looks wild and windblown, bordering on delirious. I’ve never seen her like this before. During prefect duty and the few classes I’ve seen her in, she always seems cheerful and hardworking but contained. This is completely different. “I think you’re insane!” I yelled back. “I think you’d be right,” she laughed, and whooped again as we dive. We flew over the lake and Iris held Suri’s protruding spine with one hand and leaned down so that the other is skimming the water. I yelped and grab Suri’s spine myself, just in time to prevent soaking myself in the Black Lake. Thankfully, Iris righted herself and led Suri towards the castle. As we swished into sharp turns she laughed again and I could feel her rib cage shaking beneath my hands and am amazed by her. We skimmed the surface of the water by a castle wall and she shouted, “We’re right above your common room,” pointing down. Then she pointed her feet and sticks her shoes into the lake, water spraying everywhere. And all of a sudden, instead of it being terrifying, it was thrilling. I pictured the common room and my dorm hundreds of feet below us, the water pressing against it and stick my feet into the lake too. Out of nowhere a laugh bubbled up inside me, so unexpected that I didn’t have time to repress it, and realized I didn’t want to.
Iris POV
To my surprise, Regulus laughed and stuck his feet in the water as well. It was the first time I’ve ever heard him laugh and it’s tenor and warm and intoxicating. I felt as if I’d won something, the same way I did whenever he smiled. We circled back towards the forest, landed, and dismounted. Regulus looked just as exhilarated and happy as I felt, his normally neat waves adorably tousled, his usually tidy robes disheveled. His eyes were sparkling, his grin bright enough to light up all of hogwarts. He looked completely boyish, all facades down and Merlin, I wished I could see him like this everyday for the rest of my life. We grin at each other until Suri nudged me and I tear my gaze away from Regulus. “Oh you were brilliant,” I said, stroking her neck, then I produce a handful of snap peas from my book bag and hold out a few for Regulus to give to her. “Want to feed her?” “Sure!” he said enthusiastically. Suri eyes him warily but then gives in to the temptation. It ends up being one of the best days of my semester.
Lyla POV
I tied the yellow bow into my ponytail and tossed my head, sending my hair swinging behind me. “I can’t believe you’re going,” Amanda said from her bed where she was painting a picture of sandy dunes and cacti. “I mean it’s freezing.” “Then why are you painting a desert?” I retort, throwing one of Iris’s Hufflepuff scarves over my Ravenclaw one. Hypothermia was not on my to do list, and I was throughly sick of being sick. “I’m protesting,” Amanda said stubbornly, flicking her paintbrush into the bright orange on her palet. “The sheer beauty of the painting will drive away the cold.” Amanda had found a job restoring the paintings at Hogwarts, and it had become a personal goal of hers to get one of her own to hang on the school walls. Amanda set her bottom lip in a thin line. “You’re going to get sick!” She scolded. “I’ll be fine.” Quidditch, while I didn’t enjoy playing, was great fun to watch. I loved attending every game even if Ravenclaw wasn’t competing. “I’ll see you later. And try not to catch the curtains on fire with that sheer beauty!” Amanda stuck out her tongue as I left. I headed down flights of stairs and out into the bitter cold. I realized I was traveling next to someone, a Gryffindor, who the Hufflepuffs were playing against in this match. I turned my head, which was no small feat considering the scarves, and recognized the face. “Remus!” I said, waving although it wasn’t necessary considering we were five feet apart. Oh why did I do that? He looked up, thankfully seeming to not notice my awkwardness. I gasped softly. There was no easy way to put it; he looked like death. There were dark rings around his eyes and he seemed pale, his face drawn. “Lyla,” Remus greeted. It came out like a croak. “Oh my! You look terrible!” I cried, and then winced. That came out wrong. However, Remus only chuckled lightly. “Are you sure you should come to the game?” I asked. “Yes,” Remus replied. His tone wasn’t harsh, but it left no room for argument. I decided not to push it. Instead I tugged off my Ravenclaw scarf and threw it at him. “Here. You don’t have nearly enough layers on.” Besides, I had plenty more scarves. “I can’t.” “You can and will.” It was my turn to be stubborn. Sighing, Remus wrapped the scarf around his neck. “I like the niffler prank. It was very entertaining.” “Thanks,” Remus smiled at me. He tilted his head. “Why are you watching the game? Ravenclaw isn’t playing.” “My sister’s best friend is the Hufflepuff keeper,” I explained. “I enjoy watching the Puffs destroy Gryffindor.” “Oh!” Remus cried good-naturedly. “That’s so untrue. Gryffindor will be sending Hufflepuff home crying!” “Oh really?” I raised an eyebrow at him. “Last time I checked, Gryffindor didn’t have Mel Karkoff as a keeper.” “Yeah? Well Hufflepuffs don’t have Black or Potter!” “You lions are far too cocky! That’ll be your downfall!” “The badgers can’t take a hit!” “Oh yeah? How about when Roger Davidson cracked his skull? He played for the rest of the game!” “James broke his arm and he still managed to score!” “And how did it brake, hmmm?” “Oh you’re going down that road are you?” By now the two of us had reached the stadium and were climbing up to a high seat. “Haven’t you heard?” I asked Remus, voice dripping with teasing superiority. Ravenclaws are always right. Whatever I say goes.” “Ha!” Remus grinned. “Who’s the cocky one now?” “It’s not egotistical if it’s true,” I claim. Remus had led us to the Gryffindor section of the crowd, and he gestured to the redhead next to him. “This is my best friend Lily,” he introduced. The girl smiled and waved at me. “Lily this is Lyla.” “Hi!” I waved back. “I’m sorry about my boyfriend. He’s the one that poised you.” I blushed but she continued. “You’re muggleborn, right? I am too. If you ever need anything or are in trouble or even just need to talk, come to me. I’m Head Girl girl so I can actually get things done.” She winked at me. “Thank you,” I said, grateful. I noticed Lily’s eyes slide to my scarf on Remus and smirk. Looking very smug she turned back to the game. I wondered how many times I could blush in five minutes. The game held its usual amount of energy and excitement, but I found myself distracted. I was hyper aware of every time Remus brushed against me and every teasing taunt he sent my way. Stupid. Stupid. I thought to myself. Remus was way out of my league. I knew fully well that practically every girl at Hogwarts had gone through a crushing-on-Remus-Lupin faze, especially after his glow-up his fourth year. Every marauder was crushed on too. Way out of my league. The seventh year was probably only being kind because he felt guilty. I shook myself. It wasn’t uncommon for me to have a crush, but that was all it ever was. This would be no different. “I guess you were right,” Remus admitted. “Huh?” Nice, Lyla. Very intelligent. “Ravenclaws are always right.” I looked focus on the field again and found that Hufflepuff had won. “Of course,” I smiled. Remus gestured to Lily. “We should probably go see Sirius and James. They get testy when their ego is hurt.” “Of course,” I said again. “I need to congratulate Mel. It was fun seeing you again!” I turned tail and hurried off the stands. On the way back to my dorm I busied myself with creating a list of the homework I needed to complete. Crushes came and went, but the pursuit of knowledge was a constant thing.
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Iris POV
As Mel, Reg, and I strolled down the corridor arm in arm (with Regulus fake grimacing but secretly enjoying it) we came upon a cluster of Gryffendors. We try to sidestep them but the apparent leader blocks our path. “Mudblood,” she growls at me. “What do you think you're doing here?” “It’s a public hallway,” I say pleasantly. “You shouldn’t even be in this school to begin with. And you,” she says, turning to face Mel. “Pathetic. Associating with people of their kind.” She turns her head towards her gang-friends. “Imagine being sorted into Hufflepuff. I’d drop out from the sheer humiliation of it. Everyone knows it’s just the house where all of the people who aren’t brave, smart, or clever enough get put into.” Regulus steps forward but I put out my hand to block him. Throughout this whole interaction the girl hasn’t even looked at him. “Yes, very interesting theory,” I cut in breezily. “Now, if you don’t mind, we have a class to get to. Enjoy your day, though. Oh, and it’s supposed to rain this afternoon so you might want to bring an umbrella!” I add over my shoulder as I break rank and push through the crowd. Mel pauses, pulls her very own umbrella from her book bag and hands it to the girl. “Here, take mine. I’ll be inside for the rest of the day anyway.” Then she catches up to me and links her arm through mine. We both first bump as Regulus catches up to us and this time it’s him blocking our path. “What?” I say. “We need to go back there!” he splutters. His face is flushed and his eyes dart around dangerously as if he’s ready to start a fist light at the slightest provocation. “Want to defend your honor properly I suppose? How very masculine,” I say dryly. “Not my honor! Yours!” “Oh, ours doesn’t need it,” Mel assures him. “It’s very resilient.” Regulus looks completely outraged so I pull him over by the arm, loop mine through it and say, “Listen. We’ll explain everything, but first you have to promise that you won’t go hunt them down later.” He just growls. “Come now. It isn't the first time and won't be the last.” I turn to Mel and in synch we say, “If I had a penny every time…” but we can’t finish the quote because of giggling. This is our little routine we do to cheer us up after an incident such as the one that just happened. Regulus is not amused. “Everyone knows that the best revenge is to be better than your enemies, Reg,” Mel says practically. “That’s stupid,” he mumbles. "If I held a grudge against everyone who called me a mudblood or made fun of me for being a Hufflepuff I'd be trying to get revenge on half the school!” I exclaim. "But don't you care what they think?" he asks, his eyes boring into me. “Not really,” I say. “How very Hufflepuff,” he says, but looks as if he takes it to heart. “Excellent point. See, it’s only half the school, not the whole school who acts like this. ‘Said Hufflepuff 'I'll teach the lot and treat them just the same.' That's kind of our thing, you know. A minimum of prejudices, a minimum of barriers. They don't care who's pureblood or muggle born or anything else. So once I make it to our sacred common room, I’m safe!" I explained. Within the Hufflepuffs there was an unspoken understanding that any form of bullying would not be tolerated. We got enough of that from all the other houses. So inside the commonroon there was a safe space; a truce that whatever our differences, we were a team. Whatever our faults, we were badgers. After a moment Regulus asks, "Doesn't it ever hurt you?" "It always hurts,” I admit. “But that doesn't mean you have to show it. Ever heard of a brave face? Cuz you're looking at them," I say, pointing to Mel's and mine and grinning. "And here I thought those were loyal faces,” he says, amused. "Touché. Besides, as the muggles say, you can catch more bees with honey than with vinegar.” Regulus snorts. “That’s quite an ideal.” “I caught you, didn’t I?” I say, eyes twinkling up at him. Reg blushes, looking away. “Alright, that’s enough preaching for one day. Let’s go rehearse the Pride and Prejudice proposal scene.” “You guys are nut cases,” Regulus says, looking slightly embarrassed for our sake. “It took you this long to realize that?” Mel asks, grinning.
Lyla POV
I couldn’t help but add a skip to step as I headed out into the crisp fall air. I still had a couple more plants to collect before Friday. So far I've been enjoying my job immensely. It gets me outdoors, and I’ve actually been learning a lot. Fructus gryphi was the next item on the list, found on the branches of the Volans trees located on the far west side of the forest. By the time I reached the location my hair was thoroughly wind blown and my socks dripping with mud. I peered up the tree and spotted the bright purple fruit dangling from the higher up branches. I grinned. There was nothing quite like climbing up the branches of a tree. I rolled up my sleeves and scaled the Volans tree, breathing in the smell of growth and life. When I reached the top, I scooted across the branch. I knew I could have just accioed it down, but where was the fun in that? Two fruits were hanging on the tips of the branches. One after the other I pulled them towards me and plucked them. As I scooted back to the trunk, my hand slipped. Gasping I lunged for the trunk, managing to wrap my arms around it. Doing so, however, I dropped one of the precious plants. I whipped my head downwards, watching the fruit tumble towards the ground. Straight into Remus Lupin’s hands. He looked both mildly surprised and mildly amused. “Hello, Lyla,” he greeted, looking up at me. “Hello, Remus,” I replied. “What are you doing in a tree?” He asked, smiling. “What are you doing so close to the forbidden forest?” I countered, frowning. Remus’s boyish smirk was back. “Mischief.” I leaned my back onto the trunk. “And your three musketeers?” “Also doing mischief,” Remus responded. “I just happened to finish first.” “I see,” I hummed. I had absolutely zero intention of descending the tree with Remus watching. Hogwarts’ uniforms for the girls were entirely unhelpful and more than somewhat sexist. While I had ditched the mandatory heels for sturdy boots to head out for my work, I’d left my skirt on. A skirt that would, with any big gust of wind, reveal more than I wanted to despite my pantyhose. I wish that the Gryffindor would leave. He seemed to have other plants, leaning himself comfortably (and attractively) against the tree. “There’s going to be a Ravenclaw and Gryffindor game next weekend,” he said. “Any strong feelings on who the winner will be?” I frowned, really not wanting to get down or to encourage my crush on him. “Not sure,” I lied. “Don’t you have anywhere to be?” Remus shrugged. “Nah, I got to wait for my friends.” I nodded. Rats. “If not Quidditch, is there another topic of conversation that would peak your interest?” He questioned, lightly tossing the fruit from hand to hand. I tilted my head. “Do you have a nickname?” I asked, genuinely curious. Remus laughed. “Yes.” I raised my eyebrow questioningly. “It’s Moony,” he relented. “Moony?” I giggled but didn’t question the reason. “Any others?” “No.” “No? That’s lame,” I sighed, thinking. “Do you have a middle name?” “John. Why?” He was looking up at me again. “Remus John Lupin,” I tested the words on my tongue. “R.J.” I decided. “R.J.?” Remus’s nose scrunched. “What? It’s a perfectly good nickname,” I defended. “Okay, Brains,” he smirked. “Fine, Brawn,” I retorted. “Alright with me, Beauty,” Remus winked. I blushed, my whole face heating and my heart pounding. “You’re an idiot, Bighead,” I mumbled. Remus threw back his head and laughed rather than get upset for which I was thankful for. I thought it was a nice laugh; it sounded good. I studied him closely. “You're not what I was expecting,” I admitted. Remus stopped laughing and became serious again. “How so?” His expression showed honest curiosity. “I don’t know,” I looked away. “I kinda thought you’d be mean or intimidating. Maybe stuck up and selfish, too.” I tugged at the hem of my skirt as wind whipped around my legs. “I mean,” I rushed to explain. “You’re famous and smart and hot.” I blushed again but plowed on. “It seemed a lot to ask for you to be kind and funny as well. I was wrong; you’re lovely.” I finally met his gaze again. His cheeks were flushed, but it could have just been the cold. “Thank you, Lyla.” His eyes bored into mine, but I found myself perfectly at ease. “I’ll admit I underestimated you. You’re so much…more. I think it’s brilliant.” He thinks I’m brilliant, I thought, feeling slightly lightheaded. I opened my mouth to say something, most likely something stupid, but, thankfully Sirius and James bounded out of the forest. “Wormy’s already back at the castle!” Sirius shouted, running up to Remus and colliding with him. The pair crashed to the ground, and James vaulted himself towards them, practically cannonballing into their tangle of limbs. I stood there awkwardly on the branch while they wrestled. Finally, Remus managed to push them off of himself. “Stop it, you maniacs,” he half growled, half laughed. “We’ve got company. Act like gentlemen.” Only then did James and Sirius see me. “Oh,” Sirius cried, grinning up at me. “You’re the vomit girl! Lydia, right?” I hated that I would be known as ‘the vomit girl’ from now on. “Lyla, actually,” I corrected. “Right,” Sirius snapped his fingers. “Lyla. It’s like Lily. Two L’s, one Y, and four letters,” he said in a sing-songy voice. “That’s how I remember. I’m actually really bad at names.” “Yup,” James confirmed, smacking his lips to pop the p. “Say, what are you doing in a tree?” “Actually, I’m trying to get down,” I said. “I would, but I’m afraid to flash you.” “Oh,” Remus gasped. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think of that. We’ll go.” “Yeah we’re outta here,” Sirius swung his arms around James. “Minnie has eyes on the back of her head. I don’t want to be here when it all hits the window.” “It’s ‘hit the fan’. I don’t know why you always insist on saying incorrect muggle idioms, Padfoot, ” James corrected. There was another unusual nickname. It must be some Marauders thing. It’s not like their team name wasn’t unusual. “I’ll see you later, Brains,” Remus waved goodbye and followed his friends back to the castle. I practically swooned. Not only did he use a nickname, but he said I’ll see you later. There was a promise there. We’d meet again. I slammed my head onto the trunk of the tree until sense came back to me. This stupid crush. I reached out to pluck another fruit, the one I’d dropped down had smashed during the boys’ play fighting. I made up my mind to spend the rest of my time before bed writing my Transfiguration essay on why the Antarctic climate was best for the Gelida Caudatus dragons to live in. Boys weren’t anything that cold, hard logic couldn’t drive out.
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Remus POV
Panic was clawing in my chest. It felt like the wolf inside was eating its way through my stomach, tearing at the flesh. The November full moon was tonight. I had to get to the Hospital Wing, but it felt like I was dying. I would become a monster in a matter of hours. Tears burned in my eyes as I opened the door closest to me and stumbled inside. I didn’t make it to a seat instead crashing against a desk and crumpling to the floor. “I don’t want to go. I don’t want to go,” I whimpered into the darkness. “Please, don’t make me. Please.” The empty room gave no consultation. “It hurts. It hurts so bad.” My mouth opened in a silent scream as I curled into a ball on the ground. I pressed my feverish forehead against the cool floor in an attempt to find comfort. I had assured James and Sirius that they could go to their Quidditch practice and that I could make it to Madam Pomfrey and then the Shrieking Shack by myself, but now I was regretting that decision. The thought of walking all the way to the Wing made me want to cry. I didn’t know how long I laid there, waiting for strength that wasn’t coming. Just when I had resigned myself to the fact that I’d never rise again and I die here like a dog on the floor, the door opened. Panic gave me enough energy to pull myself to my knees. My breath came in short gasps. The logical part of my mind whispered panic attack. “Remus?” The voice was soft and provided the comfort I needed. Nevertheless, I still couldn’t control my body. The figure knelt down next to me. “Remus, hey, you’re okay.” The face swam into view. It was Lyla. My panic increased. She couldn’t know my secret. “You need to breathe, okay? Follow me breaths,” she ordered, but I couldn’t obey. I shook my head frantically, tears running freely down my face. “Please,” I begged. Lyla reached out slowly and gently cupped my face in her hands. “Remus. Look at me.” Her voice was kind but held strength. Strength that I desperately needed. I met her eyes. With my heightened senses I let myself focus on her. Her eyes were a sea of blue and green twisted together and her cheeks were a rosy pink revealing some emotion I didn’t have the energy to place. I inhaled, her scent of vanilla and coffee washing over me. My breaths slowed as I continued to pull in air. “That’s it,” Lyla encouraged. “You’re safe.” But you’re not, a voice in my head hissed. Soon the monster would appear. Lyla leaned in my face, still in her soft hands, only inches from hers. I could drown in the sea of her eyes. “I can’t,” I whispered. “We can’t.” I tried to explain. She couldn’t love a monster. “If you knew who I really was…” I trailed off. “I know.” She said, her voice calm and gentle. “I know.” “What?” My question was barely audible. “I know you’re a werewolf.” I gasped her vanilla scent a punishment now. “It’s okay,” she assured me, but it wasn’t. “I’ve known for years.” I looked at her in shock as she continued. “You are gone every full moon and come back with new scars. It wasn’t that hard to notice even though we’re not in the same year. You and your friends draw a lot of attention. I’m a Ravenclaw for a reason you know.” She smiled teasingly. “You know?” I asked, incredulous. “Yes.” “And you’re still here?” “Yes. I’m still here. And…” she trailed off the color in her cheeks growing more red. “And I have no desire to leave.” She leaned in and I froze, trying not to scare her off. She slowly, carefully pressed her lips to my cheek right over the scar I’d gotten two months ago, the one that had me embarrassed for weeks. She leaned back, her eyes questioning. “It’s that okay?” She asked. “You don’t—hate me?” “No,” she admitted. “Quite the opposite actually.” “Oh,” I sat there for a moment. “Oh. Yes, um, yeah. It’s okay.” Lyla leaned in again and kissed the same spot. She continued on, tracing the scar until its end. Then she started on the one above my eyebrow. I sat as still as a statue as she worked. With each press of her lips I felt myself relax more and more. Eventually she pulled away and I instinctively leaned forward, craving her warmth. “I need to get you to the Hospital Wing,” Lyla said. “Okay.” She helped me to my feet. I felt like a puppet, letting her lead me out of the room and through the corridors. We reached the Wing in what felt like just moments later, and she guided me inside. Madam Pomfrey and Lyla were having some kind of conversation, but I couldn’t focus on what they were saying. My thoughts were a confused jumble of what had happened in the abandoned classroom. “Remus,” Lyla was looking deep into my eyes. “Madam Pomfrey is going to take care of you, okay? I’ll be back tomorrow to see you. I promise.” She leaned in and wrapped me in a hug. Although I was at least a half a foot taller than her, I felt perfectly safe and protected in her arms. “It’s going to be okay. I will be here tomorrow.” She pulled away, and I mourned the loss. Dazed, I was guided to a bed by Pomfrey, some pain killing potion poured down my throat. “Get some sleep,” the matron kindly ordered. “I’ll wake you up when it’s time to go.” I drifted off and dream of eagles soaring through the sky, headed for the heavens.
Iris POV
I walked down the halls on my way to Potions when Regulus jogged up and joined me. I was about to ask about the essay due today when I get a whiff of something. At first I was confused where it’s coming from but then a wicked grin spread across my face as I realized that the source is Regulus himself. “Are you wearing cologne?” I accused, incredulously. “You never wear cologne!” He blushed slightly, something he never did, and says quietly, “Do you have to yell?” I thought forward to the day ahead but no important events were happening today. I gasped. “Regulus Black are you meeting a girl?” I exclaimed. “What? Of course not,” he protested. “Oh yes you are,” I said deviously, hanging on his arm. “Ooo, you’re going on a date! What’s her name? Do I know her? What’s she like? Or are you keeping her identity a secret?” He looks down at me, exasperated. “You really think I have a girlfriend?” “Yes,” I answer, simply. “Why else would you be wearing cologne?” He scoffs, “It’ll be a miracle if I can find anyone to like me. I’m cold and unapproachable and rude." “True,” I concede. “But you're also kind when no ones looking. And caring, and brilliantly smart, and hardworking, and a truly good person. You’ll meet someone who sees all that in you. And their personality will compliment yours and your two morals will align. And they won’t just love you but admire and respect you too. You’ll find someone, Reg. I know you will,” said certainly, as we continued strolling down the hall. He looked at me hopefully. “That’s what you want?” “Yes. I want someone who will be my friend and have my back for the rest of my life. I want it to be us against the world and, well, everything else I said before,” I trailed off. “I want that a lot,” I admitted. He put his arm around my shoulder in a friendly way and said, “You’ll get it.” I lean my head on his shoulder as we walk and after a moment, smirk a bit. He saw it and asked, “What are you smiling about?” “I guess your cologne doesn’t smell that bad,” I said, and he let out an exasperated sigh. I bump him gently to show that I’m teasing and put my arm around him too. When we get to Potions Regulus’s good mood continues as we sit down at our lab table. There was a pile of unknown rocks on the table from the class before us. As I brushed them out of our way, one of them rolled off the table and cracked on the ground. Regulus went to pick it up and it turned out to have a crystal interior. The dim light from the lanterns reflects off of the crystal. “This rock is like me," Regulus said with mock seriousness. "Unassuming on the outside but a treasure within." I snorted. "Except that you're not unassuming." "What's that supposed to mean? That I'm vain?" "No. Well, a little," I amended. Regulus faked offense. "And you certainly have a presence. Plus your looks are definitely not unassuming." His face turned devilish. "Are you saying I'm handsome?" "No!" I exclaimed. Mel must have been getting to me. "That's what other people say, though." "But you're not denying it," he said, studying my face curiously. I tried to keep a neutral expression. Did I think Reg was handsome? The short answer was yes. As much as it annoyed me, some moments had me wondering how he could possibly look that good, especially when he was less put together. I liked the way I could look him in the eyes instead of down at him. And I liked the way he smiled, like it was only for me. "Don't let it go to your head," I said out loud, warningly. He beamed at me. "Already too late." Luckily, Professor Slughorn chose that moment to announce we were brewing Amortentia today. A challenging potion, but a fun one. After much struggle, and a lot of teamwork we finally finished our batch and were instructed to write down what we smelled. "Smell anything at all?" I teased him. "Ever stop smelling?" Regulus answered. "I'm making my way through them. So far I have rain, old books, and chlorine, which I've always adored. Then a sunshiny earthy smell mixed with a hint of floral, which is what the commonroon smells like." "The sun doesn't smell." "No, but when the sunlight hits the earth it does. Then I have a leathery smell mixed with the sea. Not sure what that is yet," I say, adding it to my list. "Also, powder donuts." Slughorn comes by and sees my list. "Ahh, I see you take delight in many things." "I certainly do." "And I see you have specific taste," he says, turning towards Regulus and spotting the two items he has written down. I try to see what they are, but he not so subtly rests his arm on top of the parchment. "Yes, sir." Just then, we hear a groan from a Ravenclaw across the room. Slughorn hurries towards her. "Jordan, did you have to put on so much cologne this morning? I can't smell anything over the stench!" “I didn't put any on today,” the boy next to her says, blushing slightly. The room rumbles with playful mutters and catcalls as the girl and boy go equally red. I chuckle and grin at Regulus who is repressing a grin of his own. I went back to my list. Sunscreen. Butterbeer.
Regulus POV
I grinned as I made it to the second floor landing and hopped onto a staircase just as it started moving. All my elation from class, from Iris, and Amortentia instantly dissipated. My brother and his friends were on the staircase too, at the front, thank Merlin. I held extremely still, willing them not to see me. As the stairway connected they leapt off, laughing at top volume. I breathed a sigh of relief as I slipped into an alcove. Just hearing his voice, hearing his laugh made me want to disappear. Suddenly my brain started replaying the first day of school after summer break. How I had seen him in the hallways with his stupid gang, acting all apologetic and buddy buddy, like everything would be fine with one sorry.
“Oh come on!” Sirius had said, throwing up his hands. “I get that you’re mad at me for going to James’s-“
I had spun on my heel, speaking in a deadly low voice, “You. Abandoned. Me. And I wasn’t mad. I was betrayed. I kept waiting, hour after hour thinking in just a few minutes my big brother would be back to get me. To bring me with. But after I had waited there on your bed, staring at the spot you had disapparated from for half of the night, my hope finally gave out and twisted into something more… motivational.
“I knew that if you ever spoke to me again I would take that deep seeded fury and twist it into every form of torture I know so you could for a moment feel a brief inkling if the pain I suffered through. I picked you. I stood up for you. And you just left me,” I had spat, practically growling.
I shoved the memory away. It wasn’t helpful. Nevertheless, a ghost if Sirius’s heartbroken faced floated before my eyes long into the night.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Lyla POV
My thumb stung as I bit my nail down to the quick. I had been pacing outside the Hospital Wing for a good fifteen minutes, only now leaning against the wall. Courage sure took a long time to gather. I had debated seeing Remus right when I woke up, but I figured he would want some time to get patched up by Madam Pomfrey before having company. All through double Transfiguration I had been fidgety and unfocused. Sucking in a deep breath, I stole myself and opened the ridiculously big doors. Remus was easy to spot. He sat amidst a pile of blankets, chocolate, and boys. Four pairs of eyes swiveled towards me. Uh oh. Judging by the smirks and the raised eyebrows, the Marauders knew what had happened last night. “Zemen!” James cried, winking. “Come in!” I hesitated for a moment but the boys’ frantic waving brought me over. Remus looked like death, all pale, shaky, and clammy. But he was smiling softly. “Weeeelll,” Sirius clapped his hands together and I realized Remus and I had been staring at each other for a bit of time. “We’ll just leave you to it.” He slid out of the room smirking more than what was necessary. Peter and James passed by, but when the bespectacled boy neared me he leaned in and whispered, “Thank you.” He was out of the door before I could even begin to think of a response. “I want to begin by saying that you are under no obligation to stay,” Remus announced. His eyes were closed, and it looked like he was stealing himself. “I understand that being a halfbreed can be disturbing and—“ I held up a hand cutting him off. “Remus. You are a human. And of course I’m not going to leave you.” Remus frowned. “That’s not an ‘of course’ for everyone.” “It is for me,” I insisted. “And I’m pretty sure it is for those boys that just left.” I came closer to Remus. “You matter. Just…just case you didn’t realize that.” “Sometimes…” Remus sighed heavily, wiping the back of his hand against his eyes. “Sometimes…I’m not certain I do.” “Well, then, I’ll just have to remind you,” I said. Remus smiled again. “I think I’d like that.” I shift my weight from foot to foot anxiously. “Actually, I wanted to say that you don’t have to stay either,” I admitted, blushing. “Last night…I was very…forward. I don’t want to…push you into something that you…don’t want to be pushed into.” Remus was grinning by the time I had finished pushing out the words. “Lyla, I want to stay. I have to admit I’m quite taken with you. I’ve tried and tried not to be, but, well, I don’t want to try anymore,” he reached out a hand and I took it, gasping as he pulled me on top of him. “You’re funny and kind and strong and so, so brilliant. Brains, all I want is to learn more about you. To catch just a glimpse of the world through your eyes.” He leaned in. “Are you sure that you don’t care that I’m a monster?” “Yes,” I breathed, letting myself come even closer, sharing every breath with him. He glanced at my lips. “Is this okay?” “Yes,” I nodded my head. “You?” “Of course.” His lips finally brush against mine. Hesitantly, he explored my mouth with his tongue, carefully caressing my face as he did so. I pressed harder against him, my heartbeat raising as I buried my hands in his hair. The kiss lasted only a few moments before we ruefully broke apart. He was panting slightly, his face flushed and his hair tousled. He looked happier than I had ever seen him. “Be my girlfriend, Brains? Make me the happiest I can possibly be?” I laughed, pure joy filling the air. “Of course.”
Iris POV
This morning came the report about the muggle parents who had been murdered by Voldemort. I knew I couldn’t stay here tonight even if there was only a slight chance that Mel might come back. I couldn’t face her, not when I was so destroyed emotionally. She wouldn’t understand, not with her parents actually being wizards and having a chance to defend themselves if Voldemort ever came knocking, which he had no reason to. She would ask questions and want to talk, like the good friend she was but I just couldn’t right now. And the last thing I wanted to do was worry Lyla. So I grabbed my things and fled to the only person I could.
Regulus POV
I rolled up my sleeves, staring at the star charts in front of me. They had made sense in class but somehow tonight it all seemed like gibberish. I heard a clicking sound behind me and turned, surprised to see Iris standing with her back pressed against the door, the remains of the disguising charm she had used on her face shimmering away. She looked miserably desperate. “Can I stay here tonight?” she asked, by way of greeting. With anyone else this question would have been incredibly suggestive but based on the stony look on her face, her pleading eyes, and given that she’s, well, Iris, I knew this was serious. Then she burst out, “It's just that article about the murdered muggles. I couldn’t stop thinking about my parents. I know you might not even care but I can’t get it out of my head and I just needed someone to talk to who wasn’t going to tell me that they would be fine. And I didn’t know who else to come to. But I know what the consequences would be if we were caught. I know how it would look. And it would be especially bad for you. I mean, since I’m me: a Hufflepuff and a muggle born. If your parents found out… You know what?” she said, her hand already reaching for the doorknob. “I’ll just go sleep in the common room, unless Mel hasn’t gone to the dorm yet. Maybe I could stay in the library and wake up before anyone gets there.” “Don’t be ridiculous,” I interrupted. “Of course you can stay here. I said you could come to me whenever you needed to and I meant it.” She looked incredibly grateful and whispered, “Thanks.” Her gaze was doing funny things to my pulse so I glanced down at her bag, noting that she had brought her things. “You can use the bathroom to wash up if you want and all of the beds have been cleaned since the boys left.” My roommates were forever ditching classes and traveling Europe off of their parents' money, leaving me for weeks at a time. They used to invite me. They had stopped even trying to around the fourth year. She nodded and without a word went in, shutting the door behind her. I ran a hand through my hair trying to pull myself together. So she would sleep in one of the empty beds and we would lock the door to prevent anyone bursting in. Then we’d wake up before anyone else and go to the Great Hall for breakfast where no one would be suspicious. We could do this. I felt a jolt of panic as I thought of the circumstances that brought her here. Room arrangements and stow always I could handle, but discussing her emotions? I wasn’t so sure. I never knew what to say to comfort people. Everything that was normally said felt so insincere. How could I promise everything would be okay when it most likely wouldn’t be? But hadn’t she always done the same for me? Hadn’t she listened when I needed to vent about my parents? Hadn’t she been the best confidant when I was ready to share the story of Sirius leaving? The least I could do was return the gesture. After she showered and changed she set her bag down on a bed and sat cross legged next to it. I swallowed. “Do you want to talk about it?” She sighs. “Not really. Most likely, they won’t be safe until the war is over and I guess I just have to accept that. Easier said than done,” she broke off with a sob, covering her face with her hands. She looked so pitiful and crushed that out of nowhere, my heart broke for her. Before I knew what I was doing, I had settled beside her and wrapped my arms around her, wishing I could keep out anything else this world could hurt her with. She was warm and smelled faintly of roses, which I had smelled on her before but never fully registered. She sank into me and I knew I would hold her like that till dawn, till the end of time if she’d let me.
Iris POV
The first thought that passed through my head when I woke up was that it must be really early because everything was still dark. The second was that my chest ached but I couldn't immediately remember why. The third was that someone's arm was draped over my shoulders giving off that same comforting feeling that I now remembered I had felt last night when I had sobbed and sobbed until I must have fallen asleep. The feeling not necessarily that everything would be okay, but that even if it wasn't I wouldn't be alone. It was Regulus, of course. I shifted as slowly as I could, turning to see him still fully dressed in school robes asleep on top of the covers. I realized that I was in my robes as well, but tucked neatly under the covers. Reg must have done that before falling asleep. I hoped I wasn't drooling. Ever so carefully, I attempted to slide out from under his arm but, alas, he was waking up. He blinked sleepily up at me. Then, becoming more awake, took back control of his arm and lurched off of the bed, swaying slightly. I more slowly got up, rubbing my eyes and kind of wishing I didn't have to face the day. “Thanks,” I croaked. “For letting me crash.” “Like I said. Anytime,” he answered, his voice rough from sleep. It was strangely… intriguing. Not letting myself dwell on that and feeling vaguely awkward, I grabbed my bag and turned for the door. “Well, I better get going before anyone wakes up. I’ll see you in the Great Hall for breakfast okay?” He ran a hand through his wavy hair, messing it up and looking flustered and half awake. “Alright.” Right as my hand landed on the knob he said, “Iris?” in the most gentle tone I’d ever heard him use. I reluctantly turned back. “Are you going to be okay?” I asked tentatively, like if he said one wrong word he’d ruin our friendship. I shrugged. “I don’t know.” “Okay,” was all he said, and I was glad of it. Opening the door, I fled.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Remus POV
I chewed on the end of my quill trying to focus on the DADA essay I was writing. James lay with his back on the floor, tossing a crumpled ball of parchment in the air and catching it. I silently groaned, rubbing the knots in my shoulders. I set down my quill and grabbed the bag I had prepacked for full moon nights. “Heading down already, Moony?” James asked, sitting up. “Yeah,” I answered and held up an envelope. “I’ve got to mail this letter to Da first. It’s the anniversary of Mum’s…” I trailed off, but James already knew what I meant. I had told him back in our second year about the attack that had caused my mothers fatal injury. “I can mail it,” he offered, stepping forward and rubbing slow, gentle circles on my back. “That’s okay,” I replied, grabbing my coat and shrugging it on. “I need to stretch my legs before I go to the shack.” “I’ll come with you.” James and I headed towards the door. Before I could open it, Sirius barged in the room. He looked murderous. Sirius slammed his fist against his bedpost. “Padfoot!” James cried, but Sirius didn’t stop, his knuckles cracking again and again on the wood. The post creaked in protest before snapping. “Sirius!” I shrieked. He turned towards me and I gasped. His face was red with self-inflicted scratches. “Please,” Sirius begged. “Please.” “Siri?” James cautiously took a step forward, but Sirius scuttled away. “I’m sorry,” Sirius gasped. I worried that he would pass out from lack of oxygen. “Please. Please, Mother,” Sirius whimpered, curling into a ball. James and I glanced at each other wide eyed. I crouched down as Sirius continued to mumble in between sobs. “No, don’t! Please. Punish me. Not him. Me, Mother. I’ll do anything…anything…” I doubted James could hear Sirius’s whispers but they registered clear as day to me. “Sirius,” I said softly, slowly reaching out. “You’re at Hogwarts. Your mother isn’t here. You’re not at Grimmauld Place. You’re safe.” Sirius sniffled. “You're not,” he breathed. James and I looked at each other again. “We’re all safe,” James reassured. “It’s okay.” “It's not okay,” Sirius insisted, looking up. His red, puffy eyes were haunted and filled with ghosts. As much as I had suffered from my lycanthropy, I had never experienced the horrors that Sirius had. “I couldn’t save Reggie,” Sirius moaned, seeming to collapse in grief and agony. “And I can’t save you.” Sirius shoved something at me. It was the Daily Prophet, disheveled and crumpled. I smoothed it out on the floor and read:
Orion Black passes Werewolf Regulation Law claiming all werewolves over the age of twenty-one must be tracked and all magic traced. He is nobly defending our children, he claims, saying in a recent interview, “I have two sons attending Hogwarts. Soon they will be out in the world—one where werewolves run free. I know my eldest in particular is very concerned with these beasts. I’m sure he wouldn’t want anything to happen to his friends.” This new law will be enforced this upcoming year, Mr. Black reassures the—
I stopped reading. “Sirius, this isn’t your fault,” I insisted, firmly. “It’s your father’s.” Sirius sobbed. “He wanted to get at me, so he’s coming through you!” He cried. “I never should have left.” “Sirius!” I cried. “You can’t be, well, serious! Of course you had to leave!” Sirius was shaking his head, but James was nodding furiously. “Moony’s right, Pads. They tortured you. They tried to force terrible ideals onto you. You come back from holidays with these terrible scars and nightmares. When you showed up at my house last year…” James closed his eyes looking pained. “There’s not a day that goes by that I'm not thankful you got out.” “I left Reggie,” Sirius whimpered. “I’m horrible.” “You were brave to leave the only home you had ever known,” James told his best friend—practically brother. Sirius looked up again. “Brave maybe, but not kind.” I reached out and folded Sirius into a hug. “It was all wrong. You never should have had to make the choice,” I said. James joined the hug and we sat there intertwined. The clock chimed. James sprung up. “Remus, you have to go!” “I know,” I grabbed my bag again. “Stay with Padfoot.” I faced Sirius. “You are one of the greatest people I know. Don’t forget it.” I turned and flung open the door, heading away from my family that sat huddled on the dorm floor.
Regulus POV
I stormed down the Owlery steps shoving the letter deep into my robe pockets. Winter wind bit at my face but I relished the pain. I hadn’t been expecting a letter. The whole reason I had come up here was to have some peace and quiet away from everyone. One might argue that I had more than enough quiet on my hands, with the girls as the notable exception. But what with finals approaching and that stupid match yesterday, I just needed to be alone. No one ever came up here in the dead of winter. No human at least. Ivan, my jet black owl, however, was not deterred. He had chirped elegantly and dropped that stupid, high quality, pine scented paper into my lap. It was from Mother, because of course it was. It’s not like anyone else sent me letters. I had been expecting more information on our “guests” but alas, nothing nearly so helpful. Instead, it was filled with reprimands. Somehow she had got wind of Sirius beating me at the match yesterday and with his excellent genes and breeding, Ivan had managed to get here the very next day. Why on earth she would care about a Hogwarts Quidditch match and house rivalry was beyond logic, but my mother had never been a terribly logical person. Emotionally driven, Sirius had once quipped, and that emotion was more often than not, rage. I had already spent the entire night tossing and turning, replaying every second of the match to see what I could have done differently to change the outcome. I cared about it of course, but why did she have to? I knew the answer. Because it wasn’t about quidditch, it was about being a Black. Black’s were pure bloods and Slytherins and always, always came out on top. I fisted the letter and felt it crinkle beneath my palm. If I didn’t answer, she’d take it as a sign of disrespect. So now I had to think up platitudes on top of finals studying and packing for break. Fantastic. As I rounded one of the tight turns I ran smack into something, or rather, someone. “Hey!” Lupin yelped, angrily shoving his messy hair out of his eyes and glaring up at me. They narrowed as he recognized me. I nearly screamed in frustration. Of all the people for me to run into in this Merlin forsaken place, of course it would be one of his friends. “Merlin,” I swore under my breath. “Where are the rest of your…friends.” I may have sneered at the last word but at the moment I didn’t care. I could not see my brother today without possibly losing my mind and definitely losing my temper. I tried to shove down the panic. “They’re not here,” Lupin bit out. “Not that it’s any of your business.” “Well isn’t that a surprise.” I tried not to let my relief show. “Never let them out of your sight,” I muttered under my breath. “Tag along like a faithful servant.” Apparently I wasn’t as quiet as I thought. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he snapped. “Just because you don’t have friends doesn’t mean you have to hate on everyone else who does.” I didn’t let that sting. “He’s not your friend, you know. Sirius.” The words left my mouth before I could stop them. They were meant to be biting but come out more strangled than I meant them to. “No,” Lupin said forcefully. “He’s my family.” It felt like the breath had been punched out of me. “And look how he treats his family,” I said, my tone deadly low tone. “He doesn’t care about you. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself,” the words started to leak out, like this dam I had built around the truth was starting to crack. “You’re wrong.” I could tell Lupin was holding on to his self control by a thread, his words coming out tight. “No. I’m not. Ask me how I know.” I took a step closer to him. “That’s not what that was. He wasn’t being selfish,” Lupin’s voice wavered in restrained anger. “Then what was he being?” I could feel my throat closing up. I refused to let tears spring to my eyes. Not in front of him. “Cowardly? Traitorous?” “You don’t deserve to be his brother!” Lupin shouted. Something snapped inside of me and blind fury shot through my veins, straight to my heart. “You’re blind to his faults!” I shouted at him. “You only see the good in him! One day he’ll stab you in the back and you’ll realize that you were the one who gave him the knife.” “That’s a lie,” Lupin hissed. “You are the one who only sees the worst in him. You never give him a chance!” I gripped the first cover railing so hard my knuckles turned white. A chance? My whole life was giving him a chance. I sized this idiot up. He was scrawny but there was something scrappy about him. And then there were his eyes. There was a hard glint in them, slightly haunted, that I had sometimes glimpsed in my own reflection. He knew how to fight. I know he did. That almost made it more appealing. But this halfblood was beneath me. “I’m not wasting anymore of my breath on the likes of you,” I told him, giving him one final searing look before sidestepping around him. I noticed he, too, was gripping the railing. “Likewise. I have more important things to do then deal with Slytherin scum,” he muttered as he started to ascend the tower. I ran all the way down the staircase, then across the grounds towards the castle. I relished the pain. The way the cold air sliced down my throat, the way my legs burned. I needed to get to my dorm. Needed to be locked away in the common room where there was absolutely no chance I would see my brother or any of his other minions. I prayed to be left alone. No such luck. As I bursted onto a sub ground landing, panting, I physically ran into Iris. She smiled at me. A cheerful smile, a carefree smile. I felt resentment ballooning in my chest. I wanted to be like that, be like her. Carefree. But I knew I never would be. Her face fell as she took in my expression. “What’s wrong?” she asked. And suddenly it all came pouring out of me. Remus and our fight, my mothers letter, the shame of losing. How mad I was. How done. At the end she put a hand on my arm and said, “I’m so sorry Reg.” Reg. She was the only one who called me that. “Just because you don’t have friends doesn’t mean you have to hate on everyone else who does.” I could hear Remus’s voice echoing in my head. Showed how much he knew. “I can’t believe your mother would say those things,” she breathed, looking heartbroken. “I can,” I muttered. “And I’m sorry Remus said those things too.” “Can't expect anything more from a halfblood,” I spat. Then I flushed as she pulled herself up to her full height. “Sorry,” I said, looking down. “Habit.” “I understand that you're angry with him. It’s not like it’s an easy subject to talk about in the first place, much less with someone so close to him. But you have to at least try to understand that he was just sticking up for his friend,” she said in a maddeningly patient tone. “You’re taking his side?” I asked, incredulously. “You’re seriously defending Sirius?” I couldn’t believe her. Couldn’t believe she wasn’t standing up for me. Had he somehow gotten her under his leather jacket, daring eyed spell, like everyone else? “I’m not defending him! I’m defending Remus!” “Remus?! What, you’re on a first name basis with him now?” I snapped. “Well, yes,” she said, looking slightly uneasy. “Him and Lyla are… well, seeing each other.” “What?!” I exclaimed. Out of all the students in Hogwarts she had to pick one of them?! “She can’t see him!” “What?” Iris asked carefully, her voice going taught. “We don’t know him at all! And clearly he has no problem with what Sirius did. Merlin, he was one of the people Sirius ran away to.” “I understand you resent him for that-“ she started. “I don’t just resent him! It’s a question of morals!” I exclaimed. “Remus isn’t the one who ran away, Reg! You can’t pin that on him.” “I can and I will,” I said stubbornly. “You’re being unreasonable,” she said, temper flaring behind her eyes. “Just don’t let her see him. He’s not good for her,” I told her, hoping to end this fight before it began. “Let her?!” she exclaimed exasperatedly. “I don’t have to let her do anything. She can do what she wants. Besides, she can decide what’s good for her!” Her face is flushing pink now and her fists clench at her sides. “I’m letting her make her own decisions, Reg. She’s more than capable of it.” “And I’m telling you she’s not,” I said. “That’s not your choice to make!” she yelled. “We’ve got on until now just fine without your advice.” “I can’t believe this!” I exclaimed. “You’re just going to let her fend for herself? You’re going to let her get hurt?” “That's not what I’m doing,” she said, her face softening in understanding. I couldn’t bear to have her look at me like that. To see me. “Whatever. It’s not like you have the guts to stand up to either of them anyway,” I said. I wasn’t projecting, I wasn’t. It was true. I willed it to be true, because one thing I would never do was take back my words. Hurt flashed across her face, unexpected and sudden. Regret pooled in my stomach. I was the one who was hurting her and I hated it. But I couldn’t get past my anger. I knew how this would pan out. Lyla and Lupin would fancy themselves in stupid little teenage puppy love. And Lyla and Iris would always be inseparable. So if I was hanging out with Iris I would be hanging out with Lupin and how long before his friends tagged along? I couldn’t run that risk. “Just stay away from me will you?” I spat at her. I had to get away from her. This was a mistake. This whole semester had been a mistake. How had I let her get under my armor? I could tell, despite the hurt, she was going to try to work this out. To forgive me. I didn’t want her forgiveness. And I didn’t want to hurt her anymore. But I knew I had to keep her away for good. “Reg-“ “I said stay away from me mudblood! You and your mudblood sister and her halfblood boyfriend. Stay away,” I shouted. Her face drained of color. I knew there would be no kindness shown, no smile. This wasn’t some random Slytherin in the hallways. This was me. She had let me in and trusted me. And I had thrown it in her face. I wondered if she would be able to trust again. I hoped so. I hoped she wasn’t damaged like me. I left before I could see anymore.
Lyla POV
I opened the doors to the hospital wing. Remus lay on bed, arm thrown over his eyes, looking heartbroken. I hurried over. “Are you alright? Stupid question. Of course, you’re not alright; you’re going to turn into a werewolf in a few hours. Is there anything I can do?” I babbled. “Yes,” Remus croaked. He lifted his arm and looked at me mournfully. “Please give this to Regulus.” He handed me an envelope. I pocketed it. “Okay,” I agreed, frowning. “Can I ask why?” “We ran into each other, and I blew up on him. This is an apology letter,” Remus sighed, tears slipping out of his eye. I grabbed ahold of his hand. “I am a horrid person.” “You’re not,” I insisted. “But—“ Remus started. “Hey, I’m a Ravenclaw, remember? I’m always right,” I raised an eyebrow. Remus smiled softly, his eyes gaining a sliver of light again. “Now, I don’t need to hear what happened or what you wrote, that’s between you two. What I do need to know is what your favorite post-moon snack is.” Remus smiled wider. “Chocolate. Anything chocolate.” “You got it,” I smiled at him. His smile slipped. “Before…before I transform I try to think of good things that have happened in my life,” he admitted. “I’m not sure what to think about tonight. Sirius is…he had a bad day, and I probably ruined Regulus’s. I just don’t—I don’t have the energy to come up with positive things.” I leaned closer to Remus, my thumb rubbing circles on the back of his hand. “Now might not be the best time in the world, but I do have a good thing you can think about,” I said softly. “Yeah?” Remus looked hopeful. It was enough to nearly make me burst with happiness. “Yeah,” I nodded. “A certain professor is hosting a Christmas party for his Slug Club, and I hear dates are highly recommended. Will you come with me, Remus? Will you be my date?” Remus was crying again, tears slowly brimming over in his eyes, but there wasn’t a trace of sadness on his face. Merlin, I adored this boy. “Yes,” Remus’s voice was thick. “Yes. I’d love to go with you.” “It’s a date, then,” I grinned, laying down next to him. I waited with him, telling stories of sweet nothings until he had to leave.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Iris POV
My life seemed determined to wipe my misery in my face. That very night, Mel and I each received a neatly folded piece of parchment announcing that Slughorn was throwing a formal party for the Slug Club students this weekend, Sunday night. Dates were encouraged. The whole school was abuzz with the news, even though the majority of students weren't invited. At lunch, I overheard a group of third year girls giggling about who was going with who and in the halls before Transfiguration, a seventh year Ravenclaw elaborately asked some swooning girl to be his date, getting down on his knees and everything. It was nauseating. Mel, of course, already had several offers but her heart set on going with Eric, the Durmstrang seventh year with dreamy eyes. She had decided that if he didn't ask her within a day, she would ask him. "Because we can't wait around our whole lives wishing. We've got to make our dreams happen," she'd said. And I agreed with her. Which was why I had already come up with a plan for Sunday night. My dreams were slightly different than Mel's, however: exacting revenge on Regulus Black. The general idea was to so flawlessly prove that I was living my life without him, that he would wonder if he had had any impact on me at all. I had formed this plan with my trusted confidants around the Hufflepuff table: Mel and the boys in my year aka ‘the tribe’. And although there were a lot of them, they were loyal and I trusted them through and through. Hufflepuffs were no gossips. The problem was that 'living my best life' included a broad range of activities not limited to, but definitely including, going to the formal with a date. And that proved much more easily said than done. The problem wasn't lack of guys, I could have asked any of the 6th year puffs and I'm sure they would gladly have gone with me. It was more of a moral dilemma. I refused to use anyone as a means to an end. And that's what I would be doing by asking anyone out; there was no one I genuinely wanted to go with. Thus, I spent the week fretting, meanwhile Mel secured Eric (by asking him herself), Lyla was going with Remus, and all I had by Saturday was the dress Mel had helped me pick out and a headache. I was seriously considering calling in sick, revenge or not, when Liam came up to me in the common room with a proposition. "I've found a way to save us both," he told me, slumping down on the couch beside me. "You need a date to the party to get revenge on Black. And I need a date to the party to make Melissa jealous. So why don't we go together?" "You want to make Mel jealous?" I asked, skeptically. "Yes. She'll see me dancing with you, get all jealous and realize it is really me she liked all along not Eric. Brilliant, yes?" "Not exactly," I answered. His plan seemed flawed for a multitude of reasons, the most important being that Mel had friendzoned him into oblivion our fourth and never looked back. "Okay, it's a long shot but please, Iris? I thought you were desperate." "I am," I admitted. "And you wouldn't be 'using me' because I know exactly what you're doing and technically I am using you too," he finished happily. "You're right," I agreed slowly, the idea growing on me. "You're sure you don't mind?" I asked. "Mind. I'd be delighted," he answered. "I'll pick you up at seven sharp tomorrow night," he said, winking at me and heading towards his dorm.
Regulus POV
I hated her. I hated that she came to this party, I hated that stupid beautiful dress she was wearing, and most of all I hated her for picking that random Gryffendor over me. I also hated that blonde idiot whose arm was linked through hers, even if it was clear he could barely tear his eyes off Mel. The whole thing was stupid. The only reason I had come was because Slughorn was head of Slytherin House and a decently influential man. I wished I could be in my room studying star charts, or wandering the abandoned staircase in the East Wing, or on the train home already. And I never wished to be going home. Especially not this specific break with this specific visitor. I knew what was coming. And I knew who had my back. Exactly no one, except perhaps Kreature. I wouldn’t have told Iris about my initiation even if we were still talking. She would have freaked out. She would have made me swear I wouldn’t do it. But she couldn’t see the long game like I could. Didn’t understand the knowledge I would be privy to. And she definitely didn’t know why that knowledge was so important. That was partly my fault. I could have shared that with her, but I didn’t. Trusting was not something that came naturally to me. And it was a good thing too, because look at us now. Her, twirling on the edge of the room the farthest physically possible from me, the beading on her midnight blue satin dress catching the candlelight. Me, actively not being caught staring, my jaw so tense I knew it would ache tomorrow. I would keep that aloof expression on my face all night if it killed me. This is why I didn’t share information. This is why I didn’t trust people. They just left. I had learned that lesson already but somehow, like a fool, I had forgotten it and, of course, it had come back to bite me. I was no fool. I knew he wasn’t. And it would not happen to me a third time. Never again. Hate burned steady and roiling in my chest, all too familiar. I was still Regulus Black. And no one would forget that.
Lyla POV
I had nearly died when I had looked at myself in the mirror before the Slug Club. The dress I was wearing was gorgeous. The shoes were fabulous. My hair, immaculate. But I felt truly beautiful—inside, outside, and all around—when Remus, guiding me into the party, leaned down and whispered in my ear, “You’re radiant. Absolutely breathtaking.” “You’re not too shabby yourself,” I teased. He grinned, taking my hand and twirling me once before wrapping his arms around me. We swayed easily to the music couples around us all doing the same. I frowned, thinking of Iris and Regulus. Iris had come up with some hairbrained plan to make Regulus jealous or something. I hoped they’d reconcile soon. Things said in anger are never truly meant. “Ah, there’s the happy couple,” Sirius came bounding over to use. Remus rolled his eyes. “It’s not a wedding, Padfoot.” “But, Moony dear,” James came up behind Sirius. “This is your very first girlfriend.” “And,” Sirius added, sending James a conspiratorial look with the other boy returned just as eagerly. “Judging by how it looks, it will be your last.” The statement sent both boys giggling and Remus and I blushing. I wondered how they always managed to make me embarrassed. “You’re not one to talk,” I countered. “James has only ever had one crush, and Sirius, I don’t see you here with a date.” The boys fell on each other laughing uproariously. “Lily!” James called, waving her over. The red headed appeared, greeting James with a deep kiss before turning towards me. “Hey, Lyla,” she said. “It’s good to see you!” “It’s nice to see you again too.” Lily leaned in closer. “I’m thrilled with your arrival into the group. The boy to girl ratio was in need of vast improvement.” I returned her smile. “I’m happy to help.” “Alright, gang,” James slapped his hands together. “Are we ready to ditch?” “We made an appearance, so I’m pretty sure we're off the hook.” Sirius grinned, winking. Remus bent down, his lips brushing against my ear. “Are you okay with that?” he whispered. “Yes,” I laughed. “Parties aren’t really my jam.” Remus took hold of my hand and we followed the other out of the room, ducking low so as to avoid the notice of Professor Slughorn. Once we hit the hallway, the boys took off sprinting down at full speed, Lily racing against James and clearly winning despite his protests. Once hand in Remus’s and the other hoisting up my skirt, I chased after them, giggling like a madwoman. Portraits shouted in astonishment and annoyance as we darted noisily passed. Sirius threw both of his fits in the air and whooped. “I’m free!” he cried. “Free!” James echoed. I couldn’t help but agree with them. This feeling was everything. The marauders led me to the Entrance Hall, and, without slowing our strides, we danced out into the snowy night. James managed to twirl in a circle while running, and Sirius had somehow gotten Lily to piggyback ride on him. Remus pulled my arm, bringing me closer. He wrapped his arm around me and picked me up, spinning me around and around. Snow and ice scattered around us as we slipped and slid down the hill to our destination: the Black Lake. Sirius stepped out onto the thin layer of ice on the lake, panting and—was he crying? Remus stepped forward, his right hand still holding mine as his left reached out towards Sirius. James threw his arm around Sirius’s shoulders letting his other drape over Lily. “I just—I just love you guys,” Sirius sniffed. “I feel…safe.” He sighed thickly. “We love you too, Sirius,” Remus answered. “Always,” James agreed. I inhaled deeply, letting the cold bite my lungs. The world was a complex place, I decided, but that didn’t mean we couldn’t love each other. I leaned my head onto Remus’s shoulder, the feeling still a present cloud around us. It was freedom. It was hope. It was love.
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Dear Remus, How are you? Are you and the boys having fun at the Potters? Perhaps I’m writing a bit soon seeing as it is only two days into the Christmas holiday, but I had to restrain myself from writing yesterday. All things considered, I’ve done quite well.
It’s nice to be back
The weather is
I was just writing
The real reason I’m writing this letter is to ask how you’re doing. I know it’s difficult to spend holidays without family and I know a moon is coming up. I just wanted to make sure your Marauders are treating you right. I’m sorry if this sounds a bit forward, it’s just that I’m really messing this letter up aren’t I? Usually I’m so good with words and they just flow out of me, but you somehow change that. Either my mind starts spitting out poems, or I can’t string two words together. I guess today is the latter. Again, sorry. On another note, Iris and I made apple pie yesterday and took Indy on a snow walk. Afterwards, we had a snowball fight in the front yard. Tomorrow we're going to see the lights Muggles hang around the gardens. Do you have anything fun planned? I hope you’re having a good start to the holidays! Happy Christmas, Lyla Lyla, Thanks for your letter. The boys and I are doing well, and creating tons of long overdue mischief. I’m honestly surprised Mrs. Potter hasn’t cracked and lost her temper. But truly, we’re having fun together and we’re being perfectly gentlemanly towards each other (if by gentlemanly you mean hosting a full on prank war which I’m winning by the way). I appreciate your concern, and there’s really no reason for you to apologize. Looking after each other is what friends are for. It is difficult without Mum, but the boys are providing many distractions. Yesterday we, too, had a snowball fight, only ours lasted three hours, and Sirius got hypothermia. You’re right to say we’re all too stubborn and competitive! Mrs. Potter is planning a big meal for Christmas dinner and James is inviting Lily over. I’ll be sure to bring a bag to throw up in when the gooey eyed looks across the table become too much. Sirius won’t say it out loud, but I know he’s wondering how Regulus is doing, so I’ll ask for the both of us. Is he having a good holiday so far? Are he and your sister still, you know, going gooey eyed? Best wishes for the rest of your holiday! Remus Remus, I’m glad you’re having fun this holiday! Send Mrs. Potter my best wishes and all of my patience. Regulus is doing horrible. And by that I mean he is horrible. That’s a terrible thing to say, I’m sorry. He’s struggling. Iris and him fought and…his home is terrible. How do you help a person who doesn’t want to be helped? As much as I love the holiday, I can’t wait for the semester to start both to see you and to try to fix things with Regulus. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day. Happy Christmas Eve! Lyla P.S. Any tips on pranks? (It’s getting a little boring around here) Lyla, Happy Christmas! I hope your day was good! This morning James woke me up with a pillow to the head and started a full on pillow war. Sirius won. We opened presents and had breakfast together. Dinner with Lily was fun (it’s nice having a sane person around), and I think James almost wet himself when he saw how pretty she looked. Nevertheless, he and the rest of the Marauders have kept me very busy. I only managed to write this letter after faking a nosebleed after another long snowball fight. Sirius tried writing Regulus yesterday to no success. He used a whole roll of parchment before he gave up and locked himself in his room. James, Peter, and I have no siblings and therefore no good advice to give. Do you have any? As for helping people who don’t want to be helped, the best thing I find to do is to just be kind. Their world is horrible enough as it is, there’s no need to add to it. I’m excited for the next semester at Hogwarts, and my last. Are you ready to go back? Hoping you’re doing well, Remus P.S. A good prank to start off with is switching things in containers like salt and sugar, glue and shampoo. Remus, I didn’t expect to miss you this much. I want to talk to you face to face so badly. Do you ever just want to take everyone you love and put them in a place that is safe? Being kind is hard. I don’t think I’m good at it. I’m too angry. Too afraid. But I’ll try. I want to be kind. As for the Black Brothers, I think they need to change perspectives. Everyone here on earth is just doing the best with what they were given. I don’t think that’s any reason to hate someone, especially not someone you truly love. Does that make sense? I switched the water in the faucet with slime. It was a smashing success, not to mention hilarious. You’re a genius. Love, Lyla Brains, It’s like everything you say makes sense to me. You seem to understand me, and my perspective, really well. I’m going to say something, and I want you to really pay attention, okay? You are kind. Lyla Zemen is kind. You accepted me when most others would do the exact opposite. You love so completely, so wholly that nothing can ever come between it. It’s powerful. It’s good. Everyone messes up. I mean look at us: a werewolf, a disowned heir, a misunderstood, bullied sister, a boy who’s trying so hard but can’t seem to get it right…and you. You manage to love us all. Even Regulus. You wouldn’t have offered to be in his corner, and he wouldn't have taken care of you when you were sick if some part of you didn’t love each other. I miss you so much too. I’ve become used to your presence. Break will be over soon. Then we can start Operation Get Regulus and Iris Together. Love, Remus RJ, I don’t think this letter will get to you before break is over but I’m sending it anyway. Thank you. I needed to hear what you wrote. Also, can you read minds? Somehow you always know when I’m near. Not to dim the mood even more, but lately I’ve been a little on edge. I’ve never quite believed in divination or anything of the sort, but I can’t shake the feeling that something big, and quite possibly bad, is going to happen this semester. I hope you’ve rested enough during break! There'll be plenty of excitement, especially with our Operation GRIT (genius idea by the way but I figured it could use an acronym). See you soon, Lyla Lyla, There is no point in writing this letter. You’ll never see it. We’re both on the same train headed to the same school as I write this. I guess I just have to gather my courage to see you first. I can’t read minds. I know you're near because I know your heartbeat. I can hear it now, faintly, a couple compartments away. I’ll use GRIT as an excuse to come over. I love you, RJ P.S. Will you stay by me forever?
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Lyla POV
I stared at the rain making zigzagging pathways on the window. The whole world outside the glass was dim and dark clouds promised continued shadow. Professor Binns was droning on and on, blending with the rain to make quiet, hazy white noise. As much as I valued education, this class was dead boring. Pun absolutely intended. Binns cleared his throat, the gravelly sound cutting through the fog in my mind. “As fifth years, you are required to do a research project,” Binns’s voice remained monotone as he spoke. “Pick a famous historical place, artifact, or person which next month you will present a comprehensive history, explanation and lesson learned about said topic.” A series of groans and sighs echoed around the room before heads fell back down upon desks and gazes returned to stare at nothingness. My attention, however, was captured. A research project. An excuse to dive deep into something that interested me. I knew exactly what I would study. *** The library was practically deserted when I arrived there after History of Magic class. I wasted no time in darting between tall, dark shelves, running my fingertips along ancient spines. I found what I was looking for on the bookshelf third from the west side windows. Rowena Ravenclaw: The Tale of the Wise Founder and Her Coveted Diadem of Wisdom, the cover of the worn book shown up at me in silver backdropped by a faded royal blue and a drawing of a tiara. Ravenclaw’s lost diadem. Fascinating. A pair of arms wrapped around me, picking me up and spinning me around before setting me down. Remus Lupin stood between me and the bookshelf. “Hey, Brains,” he smiled at me, his hands shoved deep into jeans pockets and a tattered brown sweater loosely hanging from his shoulders. “Remus!” I cried, delighted. We’d seen each other on the train yesterday, but that was with a whole army of friends blocking any one-on-one conversation. “How are you?” “Really good, actually.” He looked really good. I blushed at the thought. “You?” “Perfect, as always,” I responded, flipping my hair over one shoulder with a dramatic eye roll. Remus laughed and I practically floated a few inches off the ground. “I’m researching the Lost Diadem of Ravenclaw for History of Magic.” “Sounds fun.” He leaned over my shoulder to glance at the book I was clutching. “How are you going to get enough information? I mean it’s lost, and there’s not much concrete knowledge about it.” “Lost things have a particular beauty surrounding them,” I responded, starting to head to the exit, Remus glued to my side. “The object might be lost to us, but it’s undoubtedly having an adventure of its own. Just because we don’t know an answer doesn’t mean there isn’t one.” Remus titled his head, brows furrowing and eyebrows pinching. It was way more attractive than it should be. “You’re right,” he said finally, nodding his head. “As usual. I wish you all the best in your endeavor.” He gave a small bow. I returned the gesture. “Why, thank you.” We entered a long corridor, the rain now beating furiously on the window panes. “Do you want to go to the kitchens?” Remus asked, glancing at me through honey colored bangs. “I’m an expert at marshmallow castles.” “Will there be hot chocolate too?” I asked. “Obviously.” “Then lead the way.” Remus reached out and wrapped his fingers around mine. He kept his hand there until we reached the kitchen, only letting go to throw a marshmallow at my head.
Iris POV
Over Winter Break it was easy to ignore the absence of my friend. Mel was forever running over to bake cookies or sleepover or gossip about this cute Muggle boy who had moved in across the street from us. There were one on one Quidditch matches in the frozen field behind our houses, and holiday shopping, and teasing Lyla about her love letters. The three of us were a unit, and it reminded me of days long gone when this little town was the extent of our world and yet it was still more than enough for us. I didn’t need Regulus because I had them, and they were my ride or dies. But now that I was back at Hogwarts, it was hard not to stand up a little straighter every time I saw a dark curly head dressed in Slytherin robes. I had yet to actually see Regulus, but Potions was tomorrow and I was bound to see him then. I had already made Liam swear to be my lab partner, cute girls or no. I just could not stand to sit alone while his Slytherin gang hovered around him in adoration. I tossed and turned in my four poster bed as Mel slept soundly in the bed next to me. I couldn’t turn my brain off no matter how hard I tried. Knowing it was no use, I decided to at least go for a walk if I was going to be awake anyway. Technically we weren’t supposed to wander the castle after hours but I knew all the quiet hallways and set off to get my mind off of certain high cheekboned individuals. Without really thinking about where I was going, my feet led me up and up until I was at the entrance to Ravenclaw tower. I wished someone would happen to come by and let me in so I didn’t have to think about the stupid riddle. No such luck. Instead, as the door handle chanted some cryptic rhyme at me, I took a coin from the pocket of my robes. At first glance, it looked like a sickle but upon closer inspection, the carvings on it didn’t match a normal coin. I rubbed the face of the coin three times and the carvings smoothed away. Then I whispered my message over it, and the exact words I said were carved onto the face of the coin: let me in. I rubbed the coin two more times to send the message to Lyla’s matching coin and hoped she was awake. Two minutes later the door to the common room was open and my sister blinked sleepily up at me. ”You’re lucky I have a small bladder and had to pee in the middle of the night,” she rasped. “Thanks!” I chirped. We padded across the dark common room with its arched ceilings and tall, narrow windows that filtered in moonlight. The fireplace had long burned out. “What are you doing here again?” she asked as we climbed up the wrought iron spiral staircase that led to the girl’s dorms. “Couldn’t sleep,” I answered nonchalantly. “Moping over Regulus?” she asked, shooting me a knowing glance. “Not moping,” I protested. “Whatever you say,” she answered, pulling open the oak wooden door to her room. I saw Amanda sleeping soundly in one bed, and her other two roommates asleep in theirs’. Without a word we both crawled into her bed. We shared a room at home, and shared a bed when we went to visit relatives so we were used to it. Besides, it wasn’t my first time up in Ravenclaw tower. Before I could get too comfy she whispered, “Clear your calendar for tomorrow. We’re having Sister Fun Day.” “We have class tomorrow,” I reminded her. “Screw class,” she whispered. My eyebrows shot up. Never in my life did I think I would hear those words come out of her mouth. “What in the world have you done with my sister?” I whispered. She just grinned maniacally. *** Sister Fun Day ended up equating to a Spa Day. I happily skipped Potions and History of Magic, and Lyla showed real sisterhood by missing DADA, Herbology, and Transfiguration, her three favorite classes. Amanda had loads of lotions and potions and perfumes tucked away under her bed that were gathering dust and she happily donated them to the cause. Arms full, we made our way to the prefect's bathroom, praying it would be empty. Given that it was the middle of a school, it was, and Lyla immediately charmed the door locked behind us. We piled towels up by the side of the tub and turned the water as hot as it would go. Then we turned on every single spout attached to the giant, swimming pool sized tub. There were nearly forty and the room was so clouded by a rainbow of bubbles and fizzes and scents we could barely see each other through the haze. Lyla grabbed her expandable book bag and produced two fruity drinks in self refilling glasses that we sipped as we slid into the murky water, our neon colored bathing suits disappearing into the bubbles. It felt like silk on my skin and I immediately relaxed. I took another sip of my drink as she produced a record player (a record player for Merlin’s sake!) from her bag as well, and put on relaxing jazz. I sank into the suds with a sigh and laid my head back against the tile. “Does this have alcohol in it?” I asked as I sipped. She shrugged, happily. “Probably. It’s Bryant’s signature concoction and he refuses to spill the recipe.” “Remind me to thank Bryant later,” I said. We spent the whole day like that, giggling and drinking and dashing to the toilets on the opposite side of the room every hour or so. There was definitely alcohol in those drinks but it only added to the hilarity of the day. It was just what I needed, just what we needed, and it was perfect.
Remus POV
James was manic. He was screeching and sprinting around the dorm room like a madman. “AHHHHHHH!” He yelled, his arms coming up to wave around his head like he was on an amusement ride. “James,” I said. “It’s been thirty minutes. Please sit down.” “I can’t! Oh I can’t, my dear Moony,” James cried, but he collapsed on the floor at my feet, hands clasped as if praying. “I’m the happiest man on earth. I swear to you, Moons. No one is happier.” “I’m not saying anyone was, Prongs,” I said, setting down my book to pry my friend’s hands off my pant leg. “Get a grip.” James’s eyes turned starry. “She said yes.” “To what?” I didn’t really want to ask but I figured knowing the cause of the hurricane James was would help me calm it down. “Being my girlfriend,” James sighed crumpling onto the floor, arms spread out like a starfish. “But, James,” I frowned. “You were already dating.” “Yes, but we weren’t boyfriend and girlfriend,” James threw his hands over his heart. “I’m her boyfriend, Remus. Her boyfriend. Can you believe it?” “No.” “Neither can I!” James sat up. “Is this even real? Pinch me.” Sirius reached out from where he was curled at the end of my bed and trapped James’s skin between his fingers, twisting sharply. “Youch!” James ripped his arm away, rubbing purpling bruise spreading on his elbow. His discomfort didn’t last long. “It is real!” He cheered, leaping back to his feet and bolting around the room again. Sirius and I shared a look before Sirius buried his head into my comforter to hide his laughter. “Remus,” James bounded up to me, sticking his noise against mine. “We should go on a date.” I pushed him back. “No thanks, mate. I’m taken.” James rolled his eyes. “I mean a double date. You and Lyla and…me and Lily.” James twirled around. Sirius met my eyes again, and this time it was my turn to hide my face, which I did by jamming my nose into the book I was holding. My snickers went unnoticed by my roommate who continued to dance around the room until Sirius wrestled him into bed well past midnight.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Lyla POV
I tossed a crumpled piece of parchment at Bryant. His back straightened and a low growl rubbles from his chest. Amanda and I ducked our heads and giggled. While our studying in the library and ground to a firm halt, Bryant’s was still plowing forward, making teasing him exponentially more funny. Amanda tossed her quill at him this time. “Knock it off, you two!” Bryant slammed his own will down, wiping the smudges of ink left behind on this face from our latest attack. “Don’t you have anything important to do?” “Homework is overrated,” Amanda sighed slouching back in her chair. She was the opposite of her twin. As long as she managed to barely pass the class she was happy. Her belief was that time was much better spent on art. Bryant rolled his eyes dramcially before turning his quizzical gaze on me. I throw up my hands in surrender. “Remus was right. There’s next to no reliable information on the diadem. Most of it’s just folklore or theories. Nothing concrete,” I sighed and laid my head on the table. Amanda patted my back, sympathetically. Bryant was not so easily thawed. “Then find reliable information or choose another topic.” I groaned. “But that so much work.” Bryant sent a deathly glare my way, full of the promise of punishment. “Fine.” I sat up, crossing my arms. “Where can I find reliable information.” “Eyewitness. Trusted historians. Data. Timelines. Monuments. Artifacts,” Bryant listed on his fingers. “Oh sure, because find eyewitness testimony from hundreds of years ago is a walk in the park,” Amanda retrieved her quill and began doodling on the edge of her parchment. “Maybe a walk in the park would do you good,” Bryant suggested forcefully. “Clear your head and come back when you can focus.” Amanda was more understanding. “Go to some of your favorite places. Take your mind off the assignment. It’s not the end of the world.” “Okay,” I began gathering my things. “I’ll good to the—“ I gasped, the book I was holding slipping from my fingers and landing on the table with a loud thump. Madam Prince glared at me over her sharp nose. “What?” Amanda asked as Bryant shushed me. “I can get an eyewitness. Actually, I can get firsthand information.” “How?” Bryant narrowed his eyes at me, looking doubtful. “Ghosts!” *** I found Helena Ravenclaw where I always did, floating down the corridor named after her. “Helena?” I called she turned and drifted towards me. “Lyla.” “Can I ask you a question?” I panted, exhausted from running across the castle. “You already did,” the Grey Lady lifted her chin. “But you may ask one more.” I gathered my courage. Slowly, I asked, “What do you know about the Lost Diadem?” I could hear the ghost’s rattling intake of air, her eyes dial stewing with furious. “Vile, cursed object!” She cried with a venom I hadn’t known she could possess. I took a step backward. “It should never have been forged! It should never have seen the light of day!” I raised my hands in a placating gesture. “I don’t want to find it, my lady. I promise. It was just for some stupid history assignment. I’ll go.” “Don’t.” Helena’s sharp voice cut through me like a knife, keeping my feet planted on the ground. “Do not move.” She floated closer eyes narrowing as she examined me. Leaning down, she pressed her lips against my ear, sending waves of cold running up and down my body. “Someone else asked me about the diadem,” the Lady’s voice was smooth, too controlled to be natural. “Do you know what happened?” “N-no, ma’am,” I fought to keep my voice study, fixing my gaze on a painting across the corridor. “He…filled it.” I hesitated, curiously burning in my chest until it defeated my fear. “Filled it with what?” I asked. Helena pulled away from my ear, choosing to now stare into my eyes. “Himself.” I shuddered, cold once again filling my insides. This time, however, dread and sorrow accompanied it. “No one should have the power the diadem holds. Power currupts. Absolute power currupts absolutely,” She glared at me. I felt naked in her sight. “Do you understand, child?” “I do.” “The object is evil. It births evil. It murders good. Do you understand?” “Y-yes,” I stammered. “Do you?” The Grey Lady’s voice was a shout now, her tambar bones rattling. “Yes. I do,” I respond, more firm than before. She stared at me still, and I had the strangest feeling in my heart. It felt as if she was examining my soul. Could ghosts see souls? I barely prevented a shudder. “You do,” Helena finally agreed, turning and floating away from me. I started to back away, preparing myself to bolt as soon as my legs stopped shaking. “If you need to ask, you will never know,” the lady turned her head, the picture of mourning and truth and sorrow. “If you know, you need only ask.” I turned and ran, darting down the corridor. The ghost called after me. “Lyla.” Her voice was haunting, coldness and death seeping into her worlds. “Lyla. Take caution. It is full of him……Lyla…” Her words followed me long after I had abandoned her corridor and entered my common room. They stayed with me as I hid under my covers and fell into a fitful sleep. I dreamt of scalding fire and tremulous water. They consume me.
Iris’s POV
I had opted out of joining Mel and Liam at Hogsmeade. It wasn’t because I was hiding from Regulus. Not at all. It was because I didn’t find wading through mountains of snow and slush and dirt to be terribly appealing. It was depressing to see all the Christmas decorations being taken down. Once February hit and I was bored out of my mind, I was sure I’d jump at the opportunity to soak my robes through while slipping along the icy, decoration-less paths. But for today, it was reading and hot butterbeer, rinse and repeat. My dash from the common room to the kitchens was short, and no one disturbed me. But then I overheard the house elves talking about beef stew for dinner and knew that I at least had to venture to the great hall for that. I climbed up the stairs, yawning, book in hand, unwilling to part from it. But as I rounded the landing of the main hall, there was a commotion of shouting and hustling and the giant oak doors being thrown open against the howling winter wind. I gasped as I took in the sight. A crowd of professors, Hogsmeade business owners, and some students were hustling four floating stretchers through the hall and up the stairs towards the hospital wing. A crowd of students was starting to gather, all murmuring under their breaths and craning their necks for a better view. Some people were crying. My heart sank to my toes as the professors magiced the stretchers past me. Each stretcher held a student covered in blood. Then my heart stopped altogether as the fourth student floated past me, prone on the fabric, ugly slashes all across her chest and face. Mel. I felt myself stumble back, running into someone who cursed under their breath at me. I hardly even noticed. The room was spinning and I couldn’t focus on anything. My heartbeat pounded in my ears and the rest of the room became hazy as I tried to process what was happening. It was only when Liam came running in from the cold, shaking and crying and dashing right past me in pursuit of Mel that I snapped out of it. Cold fear laced around my heart as I forced my feet to move. My breath was coming in short, shallow gasps and my head spun. Tears sprung to my eyes but I forced myself to disassociate. There was no need to panic yet. I just had to figure out what was going on. Then I’d be able to assess how worried I needed to be. Just hold on a second. Just pause. I slammed the door to the hospital wing open and it was packed. For once, Madam Pomphrey didn’t reprimand a lack of manners. I doubted she could even see me over the heads. Everyone from the crowd of adults downstairs was here, plus some government officials I recognized from the Daily Prophet, plus Dumbledore. The noise was something akin to a dull roar. Beds were getting flown out of the way, panicked voices were being raised above the din, and professors dashed from one student to another. I pushed my way through, stepping on toes, but too intent to mutter my apologies. I got to the first bed and saw a Ravenclaw boy sitting up. The fact that he was conscious and healthy enough to sit up sent a temporary wave of relief through me. I pushed farther forward, searching, scanning. Finally I saw a glimpse of her light brown hair, matted and wet from the snow. I pushed towards her, nearly losing my balance, but finally made it to her bedside. Professor McGonagal was aiming her wand at Mel’s wounds, her face paler than I had ever seen it, though her mouth remained firmly set in a thin line. Liam was already there, his hands shaking as he openly weeped. It broke something inside of me and I reached to take his hand, noting with detached surprise that mine was shaking too. “What happened?” It came out as a whimper but somehow McGonagal heard it over the crowd. “A death eater attack,” she said in an only slightly uneven tone. “In Hogsmeade?” I gasped. She just nodded. “But Mel is not even Muggle born!” “She doesn’t have to be,” she said as she slowly sealed up her wounds. I could barely look at them without my stomach heaving. “No one is safe. The attack was on Muggleborns but she, and the other students, were simply collateral damage.” Collateral damage. No one was safe. I realized, as undiluted fear coursed through my veins, that until this very moment the war had not been something I had fully grasped. Of course I’d stayed informed on it, and knew it was happening, and felt sad for the people who were suffering for it (in the genuine, if not overwhelming way you feel sad for someone you don’t know). But for some reason, it hadn’t really hit me until my best friend was bleeding out on a hospital bed, that it could affect me. I’d know it, in the logical, clinical way someone knows a fact for a test. I was Muggleborn, my parents were Muggles, of course I’d known it. But I hadn’t felt it in this physical, visceral, terrifyingly mortal way, that death was this suffocating force hovering above me and everyone I loved, ready to smother us at any moment. I hated myself that only now, only when I personally was being faced with the consequences of war, did the full horror of what was happening to our world hit me. I stared down at Mel’s beautiful face, now covered in gaping wounds. In some cuts I could see all the way to her cheekbone. My stomach heaved again. They weren’t even after her; she just happened to be an innocent person in the wrong place at the wrong time. If she had been two steps closer to the scene would she have died? Would I never again have heard her laugh, or seen her smile, or watched her flippantly turn down some lovesick fanboy? My heart ached at the thought, and now I was crying, the room had blurred, and I couldn’t seem to stop and I barely realized that I was melting to the floor in some pathetic human puddle. Sobs wrenched out of me as I watched Mel’s eerily still face being sewn back together and felt my world’s axis irreversibly shift.
Remus POV
I couldn’t find Lyla anywhere. I’d looked in the library, the Great Hall, the astronomy tower and the owlery, but there was still no sign of my girlfriend. I had even waited outside of her common room until Amanda came out. I’d recruited her and her twin to the search when they admitted they hadn’t seen her since their last study session together. That at least sent a small wave of relief coursing through my bones because it meant she couldn’t have been at Hogsmeade where the attack had happened. I’d been there, but I was all the way by the Hogs Head watching James and Sirius wrestle with each other in their animagus forms when it had happened. By the time we had sprinted over to the Three Broomsticks, the fight was over. I had recognized two of the injured. One, a Ravenclaw boy in my year named Thomas, and the second, Mel. Where could she be? I thought, running a hand through his hair, still damp from the snow. Did she even know about the attack? I couldn’t be sure. All I knew was that she hadn’t been in the Hospital Wing. Or anywhere else I had looked. My shoulder bumped another student as he hurried around a corner, and I turned to apologize. Regulus Black stood in front of me, purple bruises under his eyes accented by pale white skin. The boy started to leave. “Regulus, wait!” I cried. He hesitated, half turning his head towards me. “Are you okay?” I asked after a moment. I knew him and Iris weren’t on great terms and I had no clue if he even knew Mel was injured, but he looked half dead and ghostlike, some emotion rotting in him that I couldn’t help asking about. “Fine,” he turned to leave but paused again. “Lupin?” he asked. It sounded like a cry for help. “Yes?” “You need to be careful,” he warned, finally turning to look into my eyes. His pupils were blown wide, enveloping his irises in black. “You need to get them out of here.” I didn’t have to ask who he was talking about. There were only two people we both cared about. I nodded my head, heart chilled by thinking about what he meant. What did he mean? Wasn’t Hogwarts as safe as it could get? “I will.” I promised anyway, if only to get the haunted look out of the younger Black brother’s eyes. Regulus didn’t move, looking torn. Finally he said, “Get him out too.” I didn’t have to ask who he meant this time either. Regulus disappeared around the corner before I could say anything else. I didn’t chase after him, instead continuing my search for Lyla. Perhaps she was…I crashed right into her. Lyla’s eyes were blown wide and tinted red, her whole body quivering and pale. “Lyla!” “Remus, is it true?” She cried, clinging to the front of my robes. “Yes.” Lyla gasped, choking on it in panic. “But your sister is okay, and last I heard Mel will be too.” Lyla sighed, and collapsed into me. For a moment, I could see Sirius in my arms falling apart, but the thought was gone as quickly as it would come, only leaving a feeling that siblinghood was something I would never be able to fully understand. “It’s okay. It’s okay,” I repeated into her hair, holding her. “It’s not,” she whimpered. “Can you see?” She pulled back, still holding onto my robes and staring deep into my eyes with her own piercing blue ones. “Something is happening.” I thought of Regulus’s warning, Sirius’s fear, the attack so close to Hogwarts. “I know,” I said. “But what?” “I don’t know!” Lyla shivered. “But the dead do.” “What does that mean?” I asked, brushing her hair off of her face. “My project on the diadem,” she said, and I nodded my head in acknowledgment. “I talked to Helena, the Grey Lady, about it.” My mouth opened in a round ‘O’. “That’s genius.” “I know,” Lyla gave a half smile before it fell back into a frown. “She said I wasn’t the first to ask about it. She said it was filled with him.” I matched her frown. “With who?” “I don’t know! I don’t know!” Lyla buried her face in her hands. “It was terrifying, Remus! Something about the way she said it, the way she warned me about it!” “It’s okay,” I said again, rubbing her arms. “It’s okay. Right now we should check on your sister and get our friends together. Maybe we can hole up in the kitchens together or somewhere else safe. I’m sure that would make us all feel a little bet—“ Lyla jerked out of my arms. “Merlin’s Beard!” She whispered. “It’s filled with him!” She turned her wide eyes towards me, imploring me to understand. “It’s filled with Voldemort!”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Lyla POV
To say that I was panicking would be a gross understatement. I was full on losing it, hysterical in my fear and adrenaline. “Lyla, breathe,” Remus commanded me. “You need to breathe.” “What if—what if that is why he attacked Hogsmeade!” I cried, mind racing too fast to be bothered with breathing. “It was a distraction so he could get the diadem!” “Lyla,” Remus paced calming hands on my shoulders. “Think. Why would he want to get the diadem if it hasn’t been found for this long. He would just leave it.” I couldn’t be deterred that easily. “Then he must have been after something else! Either way we have to get the diadem. Now.” Remus grabbed my sleeve before I could dart away. “How would we find something that has been lost for centuries? And if it really is filled with Voldemort, why would we want to have it?” “First of all, it is filled with him, and second of all, so he can’t have it back!” I cried, throwing up my hands. Why couldn’t he understand that this had to happen? “I got a clue from Helena.” “Got a clue for what?” I turned around to see James, Sirius, and Lily stand on the other and of the hall. James, who asked the question glanced at Remus. “Are you both alright?” He squinted at us. “The attack is over. It was scary, but you’re safe now.” “No!” I shouted, frustrated. Why could people just see that we weren’t safe? Once they accepted that we could actually do something about it. Sirius raised his eyebrows at me. “Zemen, you’re looking at little stressed. Any chance I could massage your back while singing Bowie to you? Lily says it’s very calming.” Lily glared at him. “I have never said that!” I opened my mouth to yell at everyone to please just shut up for the love of Merlin, but paused. This was the Marauders I was talking too. If anyone knew a hidden location for a lost item it would be them. “If you need to ask, you will never know. If you know, you need only ask.” The entire group frowned at me. “What?” James tilted his head to the side. “You’re not making any sense. Maybe Padfoot is right about the massage.” I ignored him. “It’s a riddle for a location in the castle. Think you can find it?” “Why?” Lily asked, but I could tell her mind was already racing for possible answers. I hesitated wondering if I should tell them the truth. “A bet of course,” Remus answered. “I bargained that you wouldn’t be able to solve one of Lyla’s infamous riddles.” I looked at Remus gratefully. “Well you’re on, Moony!” Sirius whooped. “We’ve totally got this! Right, Prongs?” “Oh yeah!” James responded, high-fiving Sirius. “We got this in the proverbial bag. We’re gonna crush this. We are totally—“ “I think I know where it is,” Lily interrupted. “You’re a genius,” James threw his arm around her. “I adore you.” Lily rolled her eyes. “I haven’t even said the answer yet.” “We’ll go on, Lilypad,” Sirius urged. “Do tell.” “Remember that date we had at the beginning of the year?” Lily asked, and James nodded. “There was a room on the seventh floor that you could ask to become something and it would.” “Yup,” James said. “The room of requirement. See? You are a genius.” I glanced at Remus, eyes wide. He nodded his head slowly in agreement. I took off down the corridor, sprinting at full speed. “Why are we running?” Sirius panted from behind me. “I dunno,” James responded, gleefully. “Maybe it’s a timed thing or something.” I ignored them, barreling up flights of stairs and pushing past other students. I wasn’t fully sure why I was so anxious to find it, but the thought of some with Voldemort inside it laying around the castle in a room James and Lily had dates in was rattling. Remus seemed to feel the same way as he kept pace with me. By the time we reached the seventh floor we were breathless and tired, but I faced the empty wall anyways. “Did we make it in time?” Sirius gasped, his hands on his knees. “What should we ask?” Remus questioned, looking at me through his long bangs and shrugged and looked at the bare stones again, feeling foolish. “Can you, um, show me where, um, a place where lots of…things are hidden?” I asked, pretending my blush was from all of the running. “No, here’s how you do it,” James said, stepping forward. He began pacing in front of the wall. He’d gone three times back and forth when the stone started to vibrate. From the wall emerged a large, wooden door, changing from beige to black as it turned different textures. I gasped and glanced at Remus. He had the nerve to wink at me and I stifled a giggle. “So did we win?” James asked, bowing and looking supremely happy with himself. “Sure,” Remus said as I stepped forward. “Oh,” Lily frowned. “Are you actually looking for something?” I didn’t respond, instead reaching out with both hands to grasp the large brass hoop acting as a door knob. I pulled and it swung open with surprising ease revealing rows and rows of shelves piled high with what only could be described as junk. “I sure hope they’re not,” Sirius said. “‘Cause that would be a pain.” “Remus?” Lily asked, when it became clear I wasn’t going to answer any of her questions. “What are you looking for?” Instead of responding, Remus slowly stepped into the room. He froze, muscles taught and eyes glinting with alertness. It was almost as if I could see the hairs on his back standing up. In all fairness, he looked the most like a wolf than I had ever seen him before. Remus lifted his chin, eye dilating to pinpricks, and sniffed the air.
Remus POV
Remus hated being a werewolf more than anything. He did everything in power to shove down the wolfish instincts that came with his condition. Besides the heightened smell, sight, and hearing, he could pretend he was human for twenty seven out of thirty days in a month. But there was another part of being a werewolf, one that he rarely mentioned and never used. The truth was, Remus was classified as a dark creature. Dark magic pumped through his veins. At least, that was what the ministry always said. Remus had, after years of being surrounded by loving and supportive friends, begun to believe that all of the rumors about darkness and evil being in his bones was just that: rumors. Remus could now longer believe that now. As soon as Lyla opened the door, it was like all his senses were screaming at him. There is darkness. There is power. There is evil. You know me, and I know you. Remus gasped and stumbled backward. Lyla grabbed his elbow and James caught him from behind. “You alright, mate?” Sirius sounded alarmed. I turned to Lyla, quivering in James’s arms. “You were right,” I gasped. “It is filled with him. It oozes of him.” I swallowed my throat bobbing. “Sirius, close the door,” Lyla’s voice was firm with an underlying current of fear. “No! Wait!” I cried, flinging myself forwards to stop Sirius. “We have to find it. With my senses we can find it.” “No, Remus, it's hurting you,” Lyla insisted. “It’s not! I was just startled,” I said. “Come on! If Voldemort gets this…we just have to get it first.” James grabbed onto the back of my robes. “Wait! What is going on?” I froze, recognizing his ‘mom’ voice. “Explain. Right now,” James stuck a finger in my face. Lyla nudged me out of the way. “Ravenclaw’s diadem,” Lyla said with more confidence than I had. “It’s filled with Voldemort.” There was an awkward silence and her statement settled in the air. Finally, Sirius spoke, his face pale with…dread perhaps? “What do you mean filled?” His voice wavered. Lyla shrugged. “We’re not sure. We only know that it’s very, very bad.” James straightened his spine. “Right then,” he said confidently. “Bad things shouldn’t be in Voldemort’s hands. Let’s go get that diadem!” James strode into the room and stopped. “Someone’s going to have to tell me what a diadem is. I have know idea what I’m looking for,” he admitted. “A crown,” Lily said, entering the room after him. “Look for a crown.” I stepped inside as well. “Follow me,” I glanced around the room trying to pinpoint where the darkness was coming from. “I think I might be able to find it faster.” Lyla took my hand and squeezed it, giving me the courage I needed to start off down one of the ails. We passed statues and cymbals, furniture and fencing, and even a hoard of pixies before I stopped, peering at a table piled high with rope, candles, and a small wooden box. “There,” I pointed at it. “But I don’t think it’s best if I get closer.” Lyla stepped forward, fearless. She pulled out her wand and gave it a short wave, gloves appearing over her hands. She reached for the box and picked it up. The darkness became almost tangible. “Yup,” I squeaked. “That’s definitely it.” Lyla slowly cracked open the lid. Inside a blue and silver diadem rested. I held my breath as she picked it up, gloved fingers brushing against the eagle formed by silver on the front of the crown. The darkness dissipated slightly, becoming exponentially more bearable as if the object was pleased to have been found. Sirius shivered. “Let’s get out of here.” “Way ahead of you,” Lyla responded, shutting the box with a click and setting it back on the table. “Just in case anyone keeps tabs on it,” she said, tucking the diadem into the folds of her robes. I reached out and grabbed her hand as we darted back out of the shelves. Lily and James reached the entrance first holding open the door as we dashed out into the corridor. They closed it with a bang, gasping for breath. My nerves jangled as adrenaline pumped through my veins. “What on earth are we now going to do with that?” Sirius asked, pointing at the diadem, half in fear and half in disgust. “Well, it can’t stay with you lot,” said Lyla, who was leaning against the wall, panting. “I don’t want Remus to react to it again.” “I don’t think I will,” I argued, but Lily was shaking her head at Lyla. “So, what? Your solution is to just throw this dark, evil object under your bed until you can figure out what it is?” She asked, throwing up her hands. “That’s so stupid on so many different levels.” “No,” Lyla pulled herself up. “There’s a statue of Rowena Ravenclaw in my common room with a fake diadem on her head. I’ll simply replace it with the real one and no one will be the wiser.” “Okay that’s not actually that bad of an idea,” James admitted. Lyla pointed at him in victory. “Alright,” I relented, raising my hands in surrender. “Lyla will keep the diadem until we find out what it is.” “Until then,” Lyla said, scanning the group. “No one says anything to anyone. Understand?” The Marauders and Lily nodded under her glare. “Alright,” Lyla started off down the hallway, and I followed her. “Thank you for your help.” I wondered if this was what Lyla was like when she was working on a project or finding a solution to a particularly challenging problem, her Ravenclaw wit shining through. I found it ridiculously attractive. I leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Okay, Brains. What’s next?”
Regulus POV
Winter break had been like something out of my worst nightmares. Everything hurt. My heart, my soul, my arm where I could still imagine the sting of the tattoo. I hadn’t slept in weeks, except when my body would finally give in to exhaustion in the library and I’d wake to find my face sticking to the pages of some ancient book. It’s not like I was ever into T-shirt’s before but now I made extra sure my long sleeves were never pushed up, always carefully buttoned at my wrist. I triple checked the door was locked when I showered too. My roommates would probably be thrilled if they found out what had happened to me but I didn’t need them gossiping and bragging to the house about it. Better to stay discrete. I hadn’t gotten a letter from home since I’d been back which was honestly a blessing. Now that I’d done what I was supposed to do and brought honor and attention to the House of Black my mother and father had no more need of me until the next order that involved me came around. For now, it was enough that I had been inducted. That I had been obedient. And I would continue to be obedient, while it suited me. Continue to submit, and acquiesce, and grovel like the rest of them until the opportune moment. The nightmares I woke up screaming from weren’t the only things I was avoiding on those sleepless nights. I was also avoiding idleness. Time was my most valuable asset right now. Time and discretion.
Iris POV
I didn’t leave Mel’s side for the week that she recovered in the hospital wing. On day three, she finally became conscious again and I had cried onto her bed in relief. On day five, I dared to ask Madam Pomfrey when the scars would heal and her normally stern expression had softened slightly. “They won’t, dear,” she told me, then whisked off to see to the other students. They won’t? What did that even mean? Magic could heal anything, right? Apparently not. I meandered back to Mel’s bedside still in a daze. She caught my eye and by the expression on her face I could tell she had overheard. She didn’t look sad though, she simply asked, “Can I ask you something?” “Of course,” I told her. “Why don’t you flinch when you look at me? I’ve watched you carefully and you never do.” I was taken aback. ”I guess I’m just so grateful you’re here, looking at me in the first place that I don’t mind them,” I told her. “Do you think they’re ugly?” she asked, unabashedly. I cocked my head, pondering. “Not ugly, exactly. They’re striking for sure. But they almost make your face more… intriguing.” She cracked a smile at that. “You’re too nice for your own good,” she said, shaking her head. “They’re striking,” she mimicked. “I’m telling the truth!” I exclaimed, indignant. ”And striking isn’t bad!” “What, I wasn’t striking before?” she asked, trapping me. Her smile pulled tight at the ridges criss crossing her face. “You know you were,” I said, rolling my eyes and grinning. And Merlin, it felt so good. “There goes my love life, I guess,” she said, a bit wistfully. “Don’t be so sure,” I countered. “More people have scars than you think. Especially these days.” She reached out to take my hand and I gladly gave it to her. It was true, I didn’t flinch at the rough lines that brushed my palm. I just gripped her hand tighter.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Lyla POV
I didn’t like not knowing things. Well, I actually didn’t really mind that part, but I hated not being able to learn about things I didn’t know. I was not able to learn about Ravenclaw’s diadem these past three weeks. I hosted several study sessions with the Marauders (which somehow made me feel like I was learning a negative amount of knowledge, probably because Sirius and James were having a competition to see when Madam Prince would notice they were only talking to her in innuendos). I relented a week and a half ago and told Amanda and Bryant, but even their combined knowledge did little to progress the learning. I had officially hit a dead end. Blast. I was rifling through a book titled Dark Objects and Their Uses in the History of the 1800s, getting increasingly disturbed with every page I flipped when Sirius Black sat down across from me. I squinted at him. He practically never went to the library unless forced, so I was reasonably wary that he’d start making ‘that’s what she said’ jokes again. “Hey, Zemen,” Sirius leaned back in his chair and kicked his feet up onto the table. “Hey, Sirius,” I answered, shoving his boots off of the book. “Are you in detention or something?” “Nope,” Sirius twirled his wand between two of his fingers. “Just checking in on my favorite Ravenclaw.” I hummed. “What do you want? Keep in mind that flattery doesn’t work on me.” “It does when Moony uses it,” Sirius winked. “That’s because he is Remus,” I raised my eyebrow at him. “Go on.” Sirius began fidgeting with his tie, and I frowned. He wasn’t a person to just fidget with things. Something was most definitely wrong. I set down my quill. “It’s just—Iris loves you, right?” My frown deepened. “Yes, she does.” “Why?” Sirius wasn’t looking at me, instead inspecting a drop of pink paint on his left boot as if it was the most fascinating thing he had seen all day. “She cares about me—“ “Yeah but why?” He was practically hissing at me now, his eyes watering and lips curling downward. “Well, she—“ “How did you do it?” Sirius growled. “How did you get her to like you?” He slammed his fists on the table and I jumped. “Mr. Black!” Madam Prince hissed. “Shush!” I grabbed Sirius’s arm with one hand, the book with the other and tugged him behind the Magiczooloigist shelves. “Sirius, please,” I cried softly. “Please, what?” Sirius ripped his arm away and hunched on the groan, hands splayed out in front of him. He jerked his head to the book I was carrying. “That’s for the crown thing, right?” I nodded my head, and Sirius laughed bitterly. “You’re not going to find anything,” he said, looking at me. His eyes looked black in the shadows of the library. “Not without help.” He laughed again, a haunting, grating sound that sent shivers racing up my spine. “He acts like I never loved him.” I didn’t ask who he was talking about, instead crouching next to him. “Please breathe.” I begged. “He acts like I didn’t stand between him and our parents.” Sirius’s hand tightened into fists. “He acts like I didn’t direct their anger towards me. He acts like I didn’t get tortured for him!” He was trembling and wrapped my arms around him, trying to steady him. I only shook with him. “He. Just. Goes. Running. Back. To. Them.” Sirius was panting. “I can’t—I can’t feel my hands,” he gasped, voice so low I could barely hear him. “Sirius, breathe—“ “I. DON'T. UNDERSTAND.” I nearly fell backward at his raised voice. “Shh, it’s okay, Sirius,” I rubbed his back. “Maybe he felt trapped. Maybe he didn’t know how to get out.” “I WAS TRAPPED TOO!” Sirius was sobbing uncontrollably. “I LEFT! I SHOWED HIM HE COULD TOO! HE ACTS AS IF I NEVER LOVED HIM!” Around the corner of the bookshelf, an irate Madam Pince appeared followed by Professor McGonagall. The Gryffendor Head of House approached Sirius, but I pulled him away something close to panic fueling my actions. I didn’t know why, but I was frightened. Not of Sirius, but of everyone else. “Miss Zemen,” Professor McGonagall held out her hands placatingly. “I’m here to help Mr. Black. If you would please—“ “I DON'T UNDERSTAND!” Sirius was clinging to me, clawing at my back in an attempt to pull me closer. I started to cry, whimpering and feeling like an idiot. I didn’t know what to do. “HE BETRAYED ME! WHY WOULD HE GO BACK AFTER EVERYTHING THEY DID TO ME!” Sirius was screaming into my hair, and my ears began to buzz, a low ringing coming from nowhere. “I HATE HIM!” There was something cracking. Inside of Sirius. Maybe even inside of me. I wondered if anyone else could hear it. McGonagall tried to come closer again, but I growled at her. I actually growled. Maybe my boyfriend was rubbing off on me. “Reggie,” Sirius moaned, misery coating his tone. “I…hate you…” I heard pounded feet and turned to see James Potter shoving past Pince and McGonagall. I started crying harder, and Sirius bleated in pain. “Why doesn’t…he love…me..?” James reached Sirius then pulled him close, tangling their limbs together as he started whispering into his ear. I got tugged into their pile by Sirius’s still firm grip on my robes, hanging squished on the outside. I was limp as I listened to James. “I love you. Hey, hey. It’s okay because I love you. I’ve got you Sirius. You’re safe. I love you. Remus loves you. I’m going to keep you safe. You’re okay now…” A part of my mind went away from the library to a scene where Amanda stood rain soaked on my front steps begging to be let in. My best friend, running away from an abusive family but leaving a brother behind. I think maybe I, too, would be angry and hateful and scared. I think I would beat back anyone that came too close to my friends even if it was a lonely, younger Slytherin. I felt numb floating away until another person pressed against me. I recognized Remus’s body. He was now also whispering to Sirius, his arm wrapped around me. His back was hunched and form tight with pain. The full moon had just passed. James was clinging to his friends, face pale and lips pressed tightly together. Lily must have arrived with Remus because she was there, running her hands through her boyfriend's hair in an attempt at comfort. Our eyes met over the boys’ heads. I understood her, and I understood them. What I couldn’t understand was how the world could hold so much pain in it.
Iris POV
I hadn’t seen Lyla in ages, and we’d barely had time to talk since the muggle attack. I needed my sister. Badly. I found her asleep in the library, giant, dusty books surrounding her like a barricade. She was currently drooling over an illustration of the dark mark. Interesting. “Lyla,” I whispered, shaking her awake. “Merlin!” she cried, sitting bolt upright and grabbing her wand. “It’s just me,” I protested. “Good grief, how long have you been here?” “Why? What time is it? Have I missed potions?” “Not unless you’ve been here since yesterday. It’s Saturday,” I told her. “Oh good “ she sighed in releif. “Just since this morning then.” “What are doing here? Still researching that project for history of magic?” I asked. “What? Oh, Merlin, I haven’t told you yet? I swear these last few weeks have been a fever dream.” “I know right,” I said, rolling my eyes. “But what haven’t you told me?” She gulped as her eyes darted around the room. I noticed a crease on her left cheek. She apparently deemed it safe enough because she lowered her voice and pulled out the chair next to her, which I dutifully sat in. “Listen. I found the diadem.” “The one that’s been lost for centuries?” I exclaimed. “Shh,” she hissed. “Yes. It was in the room of requirement. Remus and the rest of the boys and Lily helped me find it. “The what? And why were “the boys” with you?” I asked. Sounded like a pretty big gang and I was kind of disappointed I hadn’t been a part of it. “It’s just a room, I’ll show you sometime and I don’t know, they just happened to be there. They’re really quite sweet you know,” she said smiling faintly. “I’m sure they are,” I said raising a brow. “Anyway, that’s not all. It’s a long story, but Remus thinks it’s a dark object and the Gray Lady told my the some boy put himself in the diadem, Iris. Who else could it be but Voldemort?” She looked terrified at the prospect and honestly, I felt a little terrified too. Her tone was graver than I had ever heard it. “That still doesn’t explain why you’re in the library, though.” “Oh, Iris! Don’t you see? I can’t just go around asking people about this but I have to know more. If it involves Voldemort it could be dangerous.” “Alright, what can I do to help?” I asked, shoving aside the books in front of me. She smiled gratefully and opened her mouth, but before a word could come out, Remus popped out of nowhere to drop a kiss on it. I rolled my eyes and tried to suppress my grin. “Hullo Brains. Having a nap, were we? Hullo Iris. Rescuing her, are we?” “Attempting to,” I answered. “I suppose you and your boys know everything since you were there?” “Yup,” he said, shoving his hands in his pockets, looking rumpled as he leaned against the table. “Well, let’s get to work then shall we?” I asked. “Where do we start?” Lyla pulled a crumpled handwritten list out of her robe pocket and smoothed it out on the desk. Up next is Soul Searching: Don’t Give it Away to Just Anyone.” “You sure?” I asked. “Sounds more romantic than dangerous.” “I’m not sure,” Lyla snapped, then softened. “Honestly I’m getting to the end of my list. I don’t know where we’ll go once it’s done.” “We’ll cross that bridge once we get to it,” Remus said gently, rubbing her back. “C’mon,” I said, leading the way to the front desk. “Excuse me,” I said to Madam Pince. “We’re looking for Soul Searching by Ms Ellen Craven,” I told her in my most peaceful tone, hoping it wasn’t in the restricted section for whatever reason. “I am sorry, Miss Zemen, but that particular book has just been checked out and isn’t due for another fortnight,” Madam Pince didn’t look very sorry, only sour. My face fell. “Checked out by who? Maybe they’ll return it early.” “By Mr Black, my dear,” she said pointing to a table near the door. My heart seized, hoping it was the right Mr Black, the one who was roommates with my sister’s boyfriend and who would leap at the opportunity to help us. My eyes landed on a head of neatly parted, wavy black hair. It wasn’t.
Regulus POV
Through the din of rustling pages in the library and the hail pounding against the castle windows came the sounds of someone stomping rather loudly across the stone floor. As I flipped my page, I wished people would take more care to be considerate to everyone else using the library. I could barely stay awake as it was and needed to maximize this time if I was going to finish this stupid book before I got started on my Defense Against the Dark Arts essay. Ironic, that. Instead of walking past me, the footsteps echoed right up to me and stopped. I looked up through my bleary eyes and my heart sank. It was Iris. And she looked furious. I had managed to avoid her for the most part and only saw her in Potions these days. Honestly, it was for the best that she was still mad at me. I had thought about apologizing, but then she’d want to be friends again and it was best that she didn’t get tangled up in all of this. Right now she was standing with her arms crossed, glaring daggers at me. “We need your book,” she snapped. Out of all the things I expected her to say, it was not that. “I’m not done with it,” I said, slightly taken aback. “Well that’s too bad,” she hissed, and started to tug it out from under my arm, literally tug it away from me! This was too much. “Hey,” this time it was my turn to snap, yanking the book back towards me. “I said I’m not done.” She reached for it again but this time Lyla tugged her back. “Iris, please,” she begged. I hadn’t even noticed her to be honest. Now that I saw her, I realized Lupin was there too, hovering behind her, ready to jump in if need be. “Regulus, could you please let us know when you’re done with it?” Lyla asked placatingly. “Why should I?” I asked. “Soul searching yourself, are you? If you’re under the delusion that this psycho is ‘the one’ you’re even more naive than I thought,” I snapped, then immediately regretted it. She wasn’t the one I was supposedly mad at. I regretted it even more when she started to tear up, actually tear up right there in the middle of the library. Maybe she really did think she was going to marry that boy or something. Lupin stiffened at her side, looking incredibly concerned. Iris just looked murderous. “Why don’t you shut up?” Iris hissed. I tried to let the comment glance off the familiar armor of my aloof countenance. Comments only hurt if you let them. “No one asked your opinion and I’m astonished you even feel entitled to give one given the glaring evidence that you lack a soul in the first place.” My armor cracked a bit at that. “I’m sure everyone who has had the misfortune to meet you, whether by blood or circumstance, would agree with me.” “What would you know about it?” I cried, losing my temper all at once. I was exhausted, and conflicted, and hurting and she thought she could lecture me about being soulless. I felt a derisive laugh building in the back of my throat but when it escaped, it sounded more hysterical than anything. Me, soulless. We had a much more dangerous threat who I knew could boast the very same thing. Madam Pince descended upon us then, starting to lecture me about my volume, but at that very moment Lyla burst into tears. This shocked Madam Pince just as much as the rest of us and Lupin swept her into the hallway, with Iris following after. With only me left, Pince corralled me out as well, with a glare. The four of us stood outside the library doors in sudden silence, broken up only by Lyla’s muffled sobs. Iris was enveloping her in a hug while glaring at me over the top of her sister’s head. “We just wanted it for the diadem,” Lyla choked out into Iris’s shoulder. “Just for the stupid artifact and then you can have it back.” My ears perked up at that. “What artifact? Rowena’s diadem? Why are you researching that?” I asked. “Because it’s filled with him!” she cried, with a vehemence that made my blood run cold. “Who?” I asked in a deadly whisper. She turned to meet my gaze now, staring me down. “You know who,” she told me, her red eyes hard. I sucked in a breath. Then I grabbed the three of them and shoved them into the nearest broom closet. It was tiny and dim and my head brushed the ceiling, but it would do. “The Dark Lord?” I asked. “You’re saying Voldemort is in the diadem?” “Yes,” she whispered. “How on earth did you manage to find a horcrux?” I had been researching it for months, how it worked, what objects worked best, and I still only knew about that stupid cup from overhearing my aunt. How would they know what objects Voldemort would prefer to hide his soul in? “A what?” she asked, looking puzzled. In fact, they all did. “Merlin’s beard, please tell me you’re joking.” They just blinked at me. “You said it had his soul in it. How else do you know unless-“ “The Gray Lady told me,” she cut in. And then explained her stupid class project. I shook my head. They had just stumbled upon it. It killed me. If they didn’t know what horcruxes were, I didn’t have to explain it to them. But they had been researching nonstop and honestly I was getting a little sick of research myself. It wasn’t getting me anywhere and I could use the extra pairs of eyes to help. Even if one of those pairs was always glaring defensively. Time was of the essence. So I sighed and tried my best to explain it from the beginning. Tried to explain what we were up against. Their faces grew paler with every word I spoke. Only now was the full gravity of what we were undertaking hitting them. I felt like it had been hitting me for years now. “Over break I heard Bella bragging about how the Dark Lord had especially requested her help safekeeping an object of his. Mother pressed and pressed until she wheedled it out of Aunt that it was a cup “from that pathetic excuse for a mudblood loving house.”” My gaze shot to Iris’s at that, but her expression was carefully stoic. “When mother asked her what was so important about a cup, Bella snapped that the Dark Lord himself claimed it held a piece of him. Rather strong hyperbole for an artifact from a house he cares nothing about, don’t you think? I’ve spent these months looking into it and realized what he was doing. Only over break did he hint that there may be more than one.” “Don’t you think we ought to tell Dumbledore?” Iris asked. “No,” I told her, instantly. “If you work with me, he stays out of it. And without me you have no leads. I’m the one who has the information on Hufflepuff’s cup.” “But why not?” she asked. “I don’t trust him,” I told her coldly. “With what? Knowledge about the most important tactical move Voldemort is making?” I could tell she thought I was insane. “No, with how I got that information in the first place.” “You were eavesdropping, that’s hardly punishable by death,” she rolled her eyes. I gulped. If I was really going to get them to keep their mouths shut I was going to have to go all in. “Not just eavesdropping, I was also invited to listen in.” “Invited?” Iris asked incredulously. “Voldemort invited a teenager to sit in on his plans? Why on earth would he trust you with that?” she asked, her tone skeptical. “Because of this,” I said, and yanked up my left sleeve.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Remus POV
It was dead silent in the cupboard. Iris and Lyla was gaping open mouthed at Regulus forearm where black ink wriggled like a dying animal in the shape of a snake and a skull. I wish I could be more surprised. Regulus Black was nothing if not calculating, determined, and cunning. “What?” Iris shrieked, stepping closer to regulus. Inside the confines of the small closeted their bodies where practically pressed together. I glanced at Lyla who was recovering already. I could practically hear the gears in her head turning, working how to get the cup. She sure was persistent. “What on earth were you thinking?” Iris cried. “You…you…you…” She stuttered over her words, emotion coloring her face. Lyla grabbed her sister’s elbow and pulled her back. “I know you’re scared Rissy, but we need to focus.” “I’m not scared, I’m angry,” Iris mumbled, but Lyla resolutely ignored her instead facing Regulus. “Do you have a plan yet on how to get the Cup?” She asked, hand reaching up to tug at the wand jammed into her bun. “Some sort of strategy?” “No.” Regulus was frowned, not having taken his eyes off Iris yet. “Well, where would Bellatrix keep something important safe?” Lyla asked, her voice climbing in pitch. I reached for her, rubbing my hands up and down in her back in an attempt to calm her anxiety. My own was causing my heart to beat rapidly. It reminded me of the nerves I felt finding the diadem. Danger, danger! my senses screamed, and I tried my best to ignore them. “Her vault,” Regulus answered immediately. “It used to be her mother, Druella, and it’s rumored to be one of the safest in Gingotts. She even put her enchanted wedding ring from Rudolphus in there.” Despite missing the significance of Bellatrix’s ring, I could her the certainty in Regulus’s voice. Evidently, Iris did too because she focus in on the task at hand. “How on earth are we going to get into Gringotts?” She asked, frustration and fear turning her tone sharper than I had yet heard it. “It the safest place in the wizarding world.” “Maybe we won’t have to break in,” Lyla said thoughtfully. She glanced at me considering. “Who does Bellatrix trust?” Regulus shook his head, dark curls sweeping across his forehead. He locks eyes with me, grey irises burning with something I couldn’t decifer. “It used to be Sirius,” he said slowly. “They were both the oldest—the heirs to the name. Both wild.” I had know this already. I had heard Sirius’s version of the story were Bellatrix stopped being his favorite cousin and Andromeda, the only other one who got away, disowned after marrying Muggleborn Ted Tonks, had replaced her. “Now, he’s dead to Bella,” Regulus said, snorting without humor. “I’m sure she would kill him if given the opportunity.” “Anyone else?” Lyla practically begged. I leaned down towards her ear. “Breathe,” I whispered. “The four of us together can do this.” “I don’t know!” Regulus rubbed his forehead. Iris reached out, imperceptibly brushed against the sleeve of his cloak. This touch seemed to strengthen him greatly. “I mean, she was close with her sisters before Andy left,” he said. “Narcissa?” I asked. “Are they still close?” “Cissy is…complicated,” Regulus said slowly. “She’s not crazy like Bella, but she’s not pro-Muggle like Andy. She…she is my favorite Black.” He said this last part like a secret and I realized the full gravity of what he was doing for us, what he was revealing. This was his whole life, his family. I admired his courage. “Oh!” Lyla gasped, starting to hop up and down. Regulus eyed her with a mix of exasperation and fondness. “I’m assuming you have a plan?” He said. Lyla bobbed her head up and down. “Narcissa is engaged!” She exclaimed like it was a solution to all of their problems. “I saw it in the Prophet! It’s to a Lucas Malfoy or something—a pureblood.” “Yes,” Regulus said, brow furrowed in confusion. “That happened over Christmas Holidays. Why?” “Well,” Lyla glanced at Iris conspiratorially. “I’m sure the sisters would love to compare wedding rings.” I smirked. My girlfriend was an absolute genius. “If Narcissa is your favorite, Regulus, I’m betting you are hers too,” Lyla continued, her body quivering in excitement. “And you said she’s not totally pro-Voldemort, right? Do you think you can convince her to get the Cup for us?” We all turned to look at Regulus. He frowned thinking and running his fingers over his wand. Slowly, a smile crept on his lips. “Yes,” he smirked. “I believe I can. Afterall, Blacks are capable of anything—for the right price of course.” Regulus glanced around are small group, the dim light of the closet and his pale face casting the illusion of ghosts sharing secrets in the afterlife. “Come prepared,” he ordered. “We are going to have to bargain.”
Lyla POV
Despite the freezing snow falling around us at Hogsmeade, my palms were sweating profusely. I tried to discreetly wipe them on the inside of my robes without anyone noticing. Regulus was walking proudly ahead of us a little ways down the path so as not to attract rumors of him being friends with Muggleborns. His head was held high, snow creaking white polka dots on his dark curls. He looked confident, undaunted. I wish I could feel that way too. Remus also looked composed as always. He smiled easily at those we passed and kept a light conversation up with me. Even Iris, who we’d parted ways with this morning, was calm. I thought she would at least be somewhat anxious; the last Hogsmeade trip had resulted in Mel’s injury. The ban on students entering Hogsmeade had been lifted for only today—Valentines’ Day. Regulus had managed to contact Narcissa and set up a meeting with her at Hog’s Head today. That was the easy part. Now we just had to convince her to abandon her beliefs to help us take down one of the most powerful evil wizards ever. Piece of cake. At least, everybody else was acting like it. Sensing my discomfort, Remus squeezed my hand. I squeezed back and he leaned down to talk to me. “Hey, Brains, it's gonna be alright,” he assured me. I nodded my head. “I don’t forget,” I told him. “We have to leave here by four to get back to the castle. That way you have time to get to the shack before the moon rises.” I had urged Remus not to go. I had told him he’d be more comfortable spending the day resting, but he adamantly refused to be left out of this important discussion. After having been forced to realize Remus knew the second most about the black family from stories told by Sirius, I had relented. Now, Remus was leaning heavily in my side and wincing every other step. “We’re almost there,” I encouraged him. It was true. Through the flurry of snow I could make out the worn sign of the Hog's Head. After a couple more slipping and sliding steps across the icy path, we made it to the door. Regulus and Iris were already sitting at a large table in the far corner of the shop, five butterbeers steaming in front of them. We went to them, I made sure Remus was comfortable before sitting down myself. I was on one side, Remus on my left and the empty chair for Narcissa on the right. Iris sat across from me and Regulus next to her. We thought it best he faced his cousin straight on. “Anybody see you come?” Regulus asked, his voice low and lips barely moving despite the emptiness of the store. “No, you?” Remus replied. “Of course not.” We didn’t have time to say anything else to each other, or prepare anymore because the door to the Hogs Head burst open, sending a gust of chilly air sweeping around the room. Although I had seen her picture in the Prophet, I still gaped at Narcissa and her natural beauty. Her blonde hair was tied in an elaborate braided bun and a dark velvet cloak was draped elegantly over her shoulders in her left ring finger, a dazzling diamond glimmered for all to see. She made her way quickly over to us, heel boots clipping in the silence. “Hello, cousin,” she greeted Regulus, ignoring the rest of us. Regulus stood and pulled out her chair for her, waiting for her to settle in it before pushing it back in. “You called me here for a favor?” She said, voice haughty and dripping with sweetness. “Reggie, dear, you know how I hate giving out favors.” “Call it a bargain, Cissy,” Regulus countered, raising his chin. “We came here to negotiate.” “Then by all means start,” she offered, sweeping her hand out in front of her and finally looking at the rest of us. “What is it you ask for? Better connections perhaps?” Her eyes darted towards Remus. “I didn’t expect you to ever befriend one of Sirius’s so-called friends.” “Fear not, Cissy. We are not friends. We want something from Bella’s vault,” Regulus eyed his cousin cautiously. Narcissa laughed, tittering like a bird. “Oh cousin, dear, you know how particular Bella is about her belongings. You’d sooner fight a dragon then be let into her vault.” “They may be true for me,” Regulus admitted. “But I doubt the same can be said for her sister.” His eyes darted to her hand. “What a lovely ring, Cissy.” Narcissa wiggled her fingers admiring the diamond. “Yes, Lucius spared no expense for me. It’s quite lovely. And quite expensive.” “Bella has her engagement ring in her vault, does she not?” Regulus asked, leaning back in his chair, the picture of ease and calm. “She does,” Narcissa agreed. “Perhaps you would like to see her ring, yes? Compare their beauty?” Regulus smirked slightly. “Of course, you’d have to go to her vault to do this, and, maybe while there, you could…nab something for your favorite cousin.” “Now, Reggie,” Narcissa tutted, blood red lips pulling upwards. “What is this item you are so desperate for? Desperate enough to keep…unsavory company?” “A cup,” Regulus answered without hesitation. “Helga Hufflepuff’s house artifact.” Narcissa studied her cousin through narrowed eyes. Her gaze swept across all of us. “My dear cousin, I wish I could,” she said standing, brushing imaginary dust off her robes. “But there is really nothing you can give me that I want. And I never do anything for free.” She stepped towards the door. “I have a date with Lucius soon. Expect an invitation for the wedding soon, Reggie. Good-bye.” “Come now, Cissy,” Regulus’s posture was the same as before but his tone revealed urgency. “There isn’t anything you want?” “No.” Narcissa opened with door. “Wait!” I cried, standing up. Narcissa did, inspecting me like I was an annoying feather stuck in her coat. I may not know purebloods or politics, family heritage or great fortunes, but I did know sisterhood. “We do have something you want,” I insisted. “And what is that, dear?” Narcissa asked like she was entertaining a small child. “Your sister,” I said. “Andromeda.” Narcissa closed the door. I sucked in a fortifying breath and continued. “You miss her, I know you do. You want to talk to her. To write to her. We can make that happen.” “How?” Narcissa spat. “You know nothing.” “Sirius.” This came from Remus, his expression pained but resolved. “Sirius writes to her every week,” he continued. “He can pass on your letters to her, and Regulus can pass on hers to you.” Regulus nodded his head in agreement. Narcissa stayed frozen to the spot. Her eyes slipped closed and she sucked in a deep breath, shoulder shaking. After a moment she opened them again. “Collect the Cup at Easter Holiday, Regulus,” she said, opening the door again. “If you don’t keep up your end of the deal, you will be sorry.” I could hear the truth dripping from her tongue like acid. “Thank you, Cissy,” Regulus said, softly. Narcissa closed the door behind her without saying another words. I sat slowly back down in my seat shaking slightly from adrenaline. Five cups of untouched butterbeer sat in front of me. “Alright,” said Remus after a few more seconds of unbearable silence. “That went well. Now all we have to do is convince Sirius.” Regulus let out a low growl from where he was sitting. I reached up a hand to my forehead, rubbing the headache that was beginning to form behind my eyes. This was going to be difficult.
Regulus POV
I felt a pang of regret to see Narcissa go, despite the task looming ahead of us. She was one of the few people who actually understood me and what it was like to still be a part of the House of Black, while not entirely conforming to it. In the past, her romantic notions had occasionally bothered me, but even then, she had always had this quietly confiding nature that drew me to her. It had taken me a while to realize that her girlish romance did not negate her strength, but once I did, the floodgates had opened. I wasn’t a terribly vulnerable person by any stretch of the imagination, but when those rare moments did surface, it was always a result of her. I supposed I’d have to tell her that after all this was over. The four of us rounded the bend of Honeydukes, the one that bordered the forest, and Lupin shot Lyla an adoring glance as she rattled on about her Astronomy test. I was about to bite out something about Lupin and Lyla getting a room when the strangest expression came over his face. He had just thrown back his head to laugh at some snarky remark she had made, when his gaze gaze caught on something over my shoulder and he froze. I whipped my head around just as a bloodcurdling scream broke out. Four figures in dark robes, the matching set I had seen hanging in the front closet of Grimmauld Place, emerged from the snow. The contrast between the crude robes and the pink and red decorations lining the streets felt ominous and wrong. I couldn’t see their faces underneath their robes, a small mercy given that I didn’t think I could handle seeing my parents murder my classmates in cold blood. It was a selfish comfort, but I couldn’t help it. We needed to get out of here now. Even if it wasn’t my parents, if it was Bella, or even worse, one of my overeager, newly initiated classmates, they could easily call me over to join the fun, anonymity thrown to the wind. I could not see Bella right now. A fear breiflely popped into my head that logistically, Cissy could easily be one of those cloaked figures, but I shoved that thought away. She was obedient, but not bloodthirsty. And it’s not like she was high enough in the ranks anyway to be included in this sort of attack. I only hoped that she would be able to disappear fast enough before one of them recognized her and started asking questions. The tallest cloaked figure raised his wand to shatter the windows of Zonkos and I grabbed Iris’s arm as another chorus of screams sounded. People had started running and adults were disapparating. I saw that old, surly owner of the Hog’s Head come running out of his bar, but instead of disapparating, he raised his wand to spell the closest Death Eater. She turned on him, and I figured he’d be dead within the hour but I didn’t stop to see his fate. The four of us bolted around the corner and Lupin started darting into the woods. A smart move, as it would offer us the cover we desperately needed. The trees came right up against the back of Madam Puddifoots and we darted into the underbrush. We had barely made it for steps when an ear shattering explosion sounded directly behind us. I barely had time to register the ringing in my ears or the bricks showering down around us when everything went suddenly and absolutely black.
Iris POV
I woke with a cough as thick, smoky air assaulted my lungs. As I peeled my dry eyes open I was greeted with more darkness. Was I even awake? I had no idea where I was. The back of my head started to throb and I felt dizzy as I gingerly reached back to touch it. It came away wet and my heart began to race as I raised my hand to my face and sniffed. Definitely blood. Then it hit me. The death eaters and the explosion. Had I really been knocked out by it? I had to have been, right? And the others… I jerked around in the dark, grabbing my wand from my pocket with relief as I illuminated the scene around me. Regulus lay next to me, and Remus and Lyla not far ahead. They were all deathly still on the ground and my heart stopped. I leapt towards Lyla and shook her, trying not to give in to hysteria. “Wake up, wake up,” I whispered, no idea if the death eaters were still around. I let out a cry of relief when her dropping eyes slowly opened and crushed her in a hug. “Thank Merlin.” “Iris? What’s going on?” she asked, then took in Remus next to her and shot to his side. I went back to Regulus, praying he was okay. I felt the back of his curly black head and there wasn’t a bump or gash, thank Merlin, but he did have a few cuts on his arms and back. “Reg,” I whispered, the old nickname slipping back onto my lips of its own accord. “Reg, wake up.” I cradled his curly, dark head in my lap as I gently shook him with one hand and brushed the hair of his forehead with the other. “C’mon.” A moan escaped his lips and my heart clenched as his eyes blinked open and he sat up. I shot into his arms, forgetting about everything hanging between us in that moment. When I pulled back, he was blinking at me in the glow of my wand light. “Are you alright?” he asked hurriedly, running his hands up and down my arms as if feeling for injuries. “Yes,” I told him. “It’s just my head, but it’s not a big deal.” His hand immediately shot to the back of my head and when it came back slightly bloody his already pale face went even paler. “We need to get you to the hospital wing now,” he said urgently, shooting to his feet and then swaying on the spot. “I’d love to, and you can join me,” I said as Lyla and Remus gathered around us. “Just as soon as we figure out how to get there. Do you think the death eaters are still here?” “Doubtful,” Regulus said. “They usually leave immediately after an attack and clearly we’ve been here for hours.” “Lucky no one found us,” Lyla said, then stopped at the look on Remus’s face. “What is it?” “I’ve gotta go,” he said urgently, already starting to stride away from us. Horror dawned on Lyla’s face. “I’m really sorry but I’ve got to go.” “What-“ I started to say, then cut myself off as Remus stumbled slightly, clenching his fists. “Are you okay?” His hands began to shake and his gaze darted to Lyla’s in fear, just as the clouds moved and the full moon illuminated his gaunt face. I’d never seen him look so terrified. “Run,” he urged, but it was too late. I watched, frozen in shock, as he stumbled again and this time when he rose from the underbrush, his arms and legs were lanky and his clothes were splitting at the seams. What was more alarming though was that his pupils had completely dilated and an animalistic gleam shone in them. Then he tossed his head as the rest of his face completely evolved into a pointed snout and sunken, waxy skin. His ears pointed and grew, and his hair thinned and sprouted all over his now bare back. As his clothes fell to the ground in shreds, he hunched into all fours and let out a blood curdling howl. A werewolf. Remus Lupin was a werewolf. I stumbled back into Regulus who was startled into action, ready to run, but Lyla had already planted herself firmly in front of us, wand raised. The look on her face was terrified, but not surprised. She had known, I realized. I stood there, torn between my fight or flight instincts and instead just freezing like a moron. I watched in horror as the werewolf-Remus sniffed the air once, then turned his wild eyes on us. He took one loping step towards us, then two as I fumbled for my wand. All at once he leapt towards the trio of us. One of us let out a scream-I couldn’t tell who- but just before we should have been met with greasy fangs, a giant black form flew out of nowhere to collide with Remus. It was a dog. A huge, snarling dog who stood directly in between us and Remus. They both growled at each other, poised on their haunches and ready to fight, but before either of them could make a move, both of their ears perked and heads swiveled towards the sound of galloping to our right. Out of the underbrush emerged a stag, enormous in size, its antlers only adding to the effect. It blinked once at the three of us, and I could have sworn the gesture felt almost human. Then it turned its attention to the beasts and began to circle the pair of them, antlers lowered and ready to be used. I didn’t know if this sort of fight normally broke out between woodland creatures, but I couldn’t help thanking Mother Nature for their timely appearance. I grabbed Regulus and Lyla’s arm and hissed, “Let’s go,” seizing on the distraction. As I pulled them away from the fight, my foot landed on something round and I nearly rolled my ankle. The round ball squeaked, it turned out to be a mouse, and then, to my absolute astonishment began to grow. Then I was sure I must be dreaming because as it grew, it became more human-like by the second until it was a human. A human I knew. “Peter?” I asked, blinking like the madwoman I surely was. “No time to explain,” he squeaked out. “Follow me.” To my horror, he started heading towards the fight. The fight, that I realized, was crashing farther and farther away from us. Every time Remus sprang at them, the two animals always defended themselves, but never attacked back. Instead they seemed to be corralling Remus in a certain direction. “C’mon,” he beckoned. “I know a way back to Hogwarts, would you just hurry?” he asked, and his eyes darted around the forest as if he couldn’t wait to be anywhere but there. It’s not like I particularly knew the boy, especially after this most recent revelation, but the marauders seemed to trust him and that was enough for me. That must have been enough for Lyla and Regulus too, or else they just didn’t see another alternative because they followed without protest. Once he realized he had our obedience, Peter began racing through the forest, directly in the wake of the destruction and broken branches the animals had left. We ran after him, our legs and arms getting cut up by branches as we went. Finally, we crashed out of the forest and to my shock, came face to face with the Shrieking Shack. Peter dashed from the trees to the front door which was hanging open of that haunted house but the three of us paused. Unmistakable howling was coming from one of the upper rooms of the Shack, accompanied by barking and growling, sounding like a symphony of pain. When he realized we weren’t behind him, Peter turned back. “No need to worry, it’s perfectly safe,” he weaseled. “I somehow doubt that,” Regulus answered. “Well, not perfectly safe, but it’s not like you’ll be with them. There is a secret passage in the basement that leads directly to the Whomping Willow. It’s your best shot to get back to Hogwarts undetected,” Peter said. I looked at the other two and shrugged. “It’s not like we have another choice.” I gulped as I crossed the threshold and noted the fresh blood trailing down the hall as we headed for the staircase and Peter held the basement door open for us. Lyla must have too because she suddenly asked, her eyes darting upward, “Will Remus be okay?” “Course he will,” Peter said, like it should have been obvious. “James and Sirius are with him.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Lyla POV
The hospital wing was dead silent, but the air was heavy with tension. Awkwardness seemed to float around the room like the ghost in the Great Hall. “Was I horrible?” Remus finally asked. “No, Rem, no,” I said, quickly. Remus covered his face with his hands. “I’m a monster! I could have killed all of you. I’m so, so stupid.” “Remus,” my voice grew sharp, and Remus jumped a little. “I don’t want to hear another word about it,” I commanded sternly. “You are not a monster, and this isn’t your fault. Don’t be dense. We were attacked by Death Eaters.” “I—“ Remus started to say, but I cut him off. “Did you mean to transform in front of us all?” “No, but—“ “Did you have any intent whatsoever to hurt us or anyone else?” “Well, no—“ “Did you hurt anyone. Anyone at all?” “No—“ “Then I don’t see what the problem is here.” I looked sharply at my boyfriend. He glanced at James and Sirius who were sitting in the other side of the bed. “Don’t look at us mate,” James said. “She’s totally right.” “Of course I am.” Remus opened his mouth, closed it, then reopen it. “Fine.” “Say it,” I raised an eyebrow. Remus sighed, but a smile crinkled the corner of his eyes nonetheless. “I am not a monster. This wasn’t my fault.” “Good,” I nodded, satisfied. “What about Iris and Regulus?” Remus hands twisted the sheets, winding and unwinding them. “See for yourself,” I asked, calling over my shoulder. “You can come in now!” The door to the hospital wing opened to reveal a worried Iris, an uncomfortable Regulus, and an excited Mel. Iris dashed across the room, flinging herself onto Remus. “Are you okay? I was so worried! Lyla told me everything, and I just—oh it must be so horrible for you! Are you feeling alright?” Her hand came up to feel the temperature of a very bewildered Remus’s forehead. He glanced at me and I winked. “I’m fine, thank you Iris.” “That’s good!” Mel chirped, plopping down on the bed next to Remus’s. He looked even more befuddled. Regulus approached, and I held my breath. “Lupin,” he said, straightening. “Er, Black,” Remus was avoiding eye contact. I held my breath. “Nice tail,” was all Regulus said before he turned away. The answer seemed more than enough for Remus who smiled and leaned back into his pillows. There was an awkward moment where we all looked at each other, silent. “Sirius,” Regulus said, looking at his brother, emotionless. I shrunk back into Remus, apprehension and anxiety twisting low in my stomach. “Do you still write to Andromeda?” “Yes,” Sirius answered, narrowing his eyes. “Do you…do you want to talk to her? Are you thinking of…” “No.” Regulus’s voice was firm, leaving no room for questioning. Sirius’s face fell, bit as James wrapped a comforting arm around his friend’s shoulder, I could see Regulus glance at Iris and give himself a little shake. “I need to get into contact with her,” Regulus told his brother. “Why? You’ve never liked her,” Sirius inched closer to the bed where Remus lay and Mel sat. “Narcissa wants to talk to her.” “What?” Sirius cried nose scrunching in confusion. “Why?” Regulus ignored his brother. “I made a deal with her. My end is to facilitate communication between her and her sister. You will help us.” “Us?” Sirius growled, teeth poking out from behind his scowl like a dog. “Yes. Me, Iris, Lyla, and the w—Remus,” Regulus’s usually pale face pinked, and I wondered which of the many awkward options was the cause. “What?” Sirius’s took a step forward. “So you’re who Lyla has been asking her questions to. Figures you are an expert in dark magic.” Sirius shook his head violently, dark curls whipping across his face. “Sirius,” I started to say, but he cut me off. “That’s enough. Enough,” Sirius hands flew to his head and began tugging at his hair. I stood up, wanting to comfort him but wary of triggering another panic like what had happened in the library. “This is insane. Do you know what your playing at, Reggie? What you’re risking? And not just for yourself!” Sirius jerked his finger towards Remus. “You’re endangering my friend and his girlfriend and her sister, and…and…I don’t even know what side you’re on!” Silence fell once again over the room. Regulus didn’t met his brother’s peircing stare. “Do you even know?” Sirius face crumpled as he asked the question. Regulus bit his lip. “I…I don’t…I’m doing this, okay?” He said, backing up. “And I need you to get the letters to Andromeda. Are you in or out?” Sirius glanced at Remus and then at James. He shook his head, less an answer and more a reorientation. Mel stood up and crossed the room to Sirius. I gaped at her as her slid her arms around Sirius’s waist and put her mouth to his ear. She whispered, but I was standing close enough to hear her words. “I know, love. I know. But maybe…maybe this is the right thing even though it…feels so…complicated. I love you. I want to grow with you in a world not run by hate and fear. Maybe that starts here.” She pulled away from Sirius who was looking at her like she had hung the stars in the sky herself. He practically shined for her. “I’ll do it,” he told his brother. “Just…watch you back.” Regulus, a carefully constructed mask hiding any surprised expression, gave one curt nod. “You too.” He turned halfway before pausing. “You know, I don’t despise you.” It sounded like an olive branch, twisted and broken, probably long dead, but still an olive branch. “Then act like it,” Sirius responded. Regulus left. Iris stood up and followed him. “We’re so talking about this later,” she said to Mel before the large doors to the Hospital Wing closed. I waited a few heartbeats of silence before speaking. “So…you’re dating?” “Yup,” Sirius popped the ‘p’. “Have been for maybe two months now.” Mel nodded. “We didn’t want a lot of attention on it,” she said. “We’re sorry for keeping it from you.” It took me a moment to realize she was speaking directly to me. James and Remus must have already known. “It’s totally fine,” I waved my hand. “I get it. As long as you’re happy.” Mel turned to Sirius, gooey-eyed. “We are.” I pressed my lips together, a sudden rush of sorrow filling my stomach. Everyone was growing up. We all had plans for our future, and not the playful, half joking ones that we’d held at the beginning of out time at Hogwarts. It would be Easter Holidays soon, and the end of term would follow close behind. The Marauders would be off, then, in the world. I wondered what kind of place it would be. I hoped it would be kind, but that was unlikely. Snuggled back into Remus’s arms, watching Sirius and Mel talking in hushed tones as James unwrapped a candy bar. I agreed with Mel. I wanted to grow in a world that wasn’t run by anger and panic. I realized for the first time since I had decided to research Ravenclaw’s diadem that I wasn’t afraid to work for that world I wanted. I wasn’t afraid to fight for it, to sacrifice for it. I could tell in my bones I would have to. And I would, when the time came, but not right now. Right now, I would sit with my friends and remind myself what I was doing this all for. “I love you,” I told Remus, squeezing his hand. He held me tighter. “I love you too.”
Regulus POV
Cissy,
I hope your wedding planning is going according to plan and that you are surrounded by the people who love you during this special time. I look forward to seeing you in person during the Easter Holidays and for you to get to share these memories with me. I assume your plan to visit Grimmauld Place while I am home hasn’t changed? I have always counted on you to pull through and I know you will not disappoint me.
Yours truly,
RAB
Regulus dear,
You flatter me. You know perfectly well that I have not always come through for you, but it is true that I have always done the best that I could while upholding the name of the Noble House of Black. I’m certain you understand. Never fear dear cousin, for in this instance you will be satisfied. My plans to visit Grimmauld Place over your quaint break are perfectly on schedule and I look forward to seeing you, as always. You’re quite right that being surrounded by family during this transitional time is the greatest comfort one can have. Now I must dispense with the condensation because for this, I must truly thank you in the most honest terms I can. Regulus, I owe you, and will not soon forget this. I may not always come through for you in the ways you’d like me to, due to certain restraints of this family, but I do always follow my heart. You are one of the truest pieces of this, and it is my sincerest wish that you do the same. Don’t live in fear, cousin. I know you’re too smart for that.
Yours ever,
Cissy
I stared down at her letter, reading it and rereading it. I was glad she still had the cup in her sights. It’s not like we had necessarily stayed in touch while I was at school, but anytime there was a family gathering things fell into the way they always did with us. Sharing looks across the room whenever my mother or Bella were being particularly insane. It was rather nice to have someone to write to besides my Mother who only wrote to berate me. This wasn’t the only thing that had me staring at the page, though. Was Cissy… apologizing? Cissy never apologized. I supposed I couldn’t quite classify it as that, but there was an acknowledgement there. Perhaps of the horrors I had gone through while she stayed silently to the side like the rest of the family, an obedient, statuesque, blemish-less young woman. I didn’t have it in me to condemn her for that, although maybe I should have. My family was twisted enough as it was, I couldn’t bear to estrange myself from her of all people. But it was the bit at the end that gave me real pause. Was she telling me to follow my heart? I thought of her and Andy, her and Lucius, and her and I. She did always follow her heart, I supposed, while somehow still conforming to the Black expectations. I’m not sure I could walk that line as neatly as she could. I’m not sure I could have it both ways. So which way did I want it?
Don’t live in fear, cousin. I know you’re too smart for that.
Was that what I was doing? Being afraid? I examined my current exile from Iris and Sirius and realized that she was completely right. I was terrified of them. Terrified that if I let either of them in, one or both would leave me. Again. I wasn’t sure if I would ever be able to reconcile with Sirius, or simply if too much had broken between us. I also wasn’t sure if I was brave enough to try. But maybe there was someone I could try with, someone who hadn’t left me yet, or at least hadn’t left me unprovoked. After waiting in the Great Hall for five hours, constantly scanning the tables and the doorway for any sign of her, knowing she had to show up eventually, she finally walked through the door, arm in arm with Mel. I bolted upright, causing the bench behind me to screech against the stone floors, and dashed over to them. “Iris,” I said, out of breath. “Can we talk?” “Sure,” she said, crossing her arms, her face guarded. I felt like we had made some ground surviving a Death Eater attack together but I guessed not enough. Mel crossed her arms too, standing like a bodyguard at her side. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “Alone?” I asked. She looked at me for a beat, examining my face. I tried to look innocent. Then she sighed and said, “Fine.” When Mel hesitated she said, “Go save me a seat,” and Mel reluctantly left for the Hufflepuff table, shooting me dagger eyes as she passed. I started heading for the door and to my relief Iris followed. I didn’t stop until we were in the empty courtyard, the early March sun weakly shining down on us. I turn to face her. And gulped. I hadn’t prepared what I was going to say and now I wish I would have. I just kind of thought it would come out all right. But now she was staring at me waiting and I was just standing there like a mute idiot. “Well?” she prompted. “Did you hear about the cup or something?” “No. Well yes, Cissy is still planning on giving it to me at Easter but that’s not why I wanted to talk.” “Then why?” she asked, very reasonably, I had to admit. “I miss you,” I said. That is not what I had wanted to say. She looked shocked. I gulped again. “What I meant to say was,” I steeled myself. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for calling Lyla and Remus that. I’m sorry for reverting back to my old ways, and for throwing up barriers at the slightest provocation. It’s wrong and I’m not used to all this… interaction but that’s still no excuse. I don’t really believe that about them anymore, I hope you know that. And I’m sorry that I ever did. They’re… kinder to me than I deserve. Kinder than any pure blood I’ve met. I’m so sorry,” I finished sloppily, unable to look at anything but the stone floor. It felt insufficient. Shame was a new feeling for me and I didn’t like how it sat with me. But I was ashamed. After a long silence, I finally looked up. She was looking at me in the most curious way. Hesitant, but with a small smile playing at the edge of her lips like she found my apology… endearing. I clenched my jaw, waiting for the verdict. “I can tell you're a novice at apologies,” she said no comically. “Well, yes,” I said, unsure how to answer. “What is the point of this Regulus? Why are you apologizing?” she asked. I was taken aback. “Because it’s the right thing to do. And because it’s true and I wanted you to know,” I added. “Also, I kind of hoped we could be friends again? Like I said, I miss hanging out with you,” I said. I could barely get the words out and it nearly killed me, but I said it. “Alright,” she said. My eyes shot to hers. “Alright?” “Alright,” she repeated. ”I forgive you.” “You forgive me?” I parroted. She rolled her eyes. “Of course I forgive you. To be honest… the only reason I didn’t try to fix this sooner is because I wasn’t exactly sure if you were sorry. Or if you actually thought of us as… you know. Less than.” Her cheeks had colored a bit and it felt like a gut punch. Worse than I gut punch because at one point it had been true. “Not anymore,” I assured. “Not since I’ve actually known you.” “Okay,” she said softly. “So…” I hesitated, not wanting to push it but also wanting to be clear. “Are we friends again or…?” I trailed off. I never trailed off. She rolled her eyes again, a smile breaking over her face and Merlin, I loved it. “Yes, we’re friends Reg. Of course we’re friends, don’t be an idiot.” Now it was my turn to grin. I could hardly believe it. I even let out a little chuckle. “Thank Merlin for that,” I said, running my hands through my hair. “Now we can actually go horcrux hunting as a happy family instead of having all this weird strained tension,” she said, linking her arm through mine. I noticed she hesitated for a second before doing it, that it wasn’t quite as natural as before, but I supposed that was to be expected. I colored a bit about the supposed “tension” and hoped that it was gone for good, but I wasn’t quite as certain as her. It couldn’t all be attributed to her anger towards me. Some of it was on my end, and I wouldn’t exactly classify it as anger. I shoved the thought down though. This would be enough. I had her back and it would be enough.
Iris POV
Gryffindor was playing Hufflepuff tonight and no one could shut up about it. It was almost like in light of both attacks that had happened this semester, people needed something fun and juvenile to think about. I certainly did. Something that didn’t involve the war or injuries or even my new, tenuous friendship with Regulus Black. I still was getting used to the fact, to be honest. I was a little wary about trusting him but if I was being honest with myself, it felt so good to have him back. Like the aching hole inside of me that I had been ignoring was filled again. It was so odd, everything felt so similar to before, if I let myself forget about or fight. And yet I was still holding a piece of me back. It was all so confusing. Because this was Mel’s big public appearance since her attack, I wanted to be in the very front row to cheer her on. People could be cruel, and I was determined to single-handedly offset their cruelness. We had talked about standing strong in the face of hate during the match earlier, after a giggling conversation about a certain brothers who will it be named. So even though the game didn’t start until 7:00, there I was, in the front row of the Hufflepuff section, at 5:00, sandwich nicked from the kitchens in hand. I had just settled my yellow tied blanket on the bench beneath me when the creak of boards to my right had me looking up. Remus was padding over to me, bundled to the max against the February chill even though it was relatively mild. He looked like trash, despite the grin on his face. “Iris! Hey!” he greeted, as he sat next to me and tucked a red tied blanket under him. I looked at it for a second, then back up at him. “Hey! Beating the rush?” I asked. “Yup. Great minds, I’m assuming?” he said, gesturing to my set up. “Yup. Don’t tell me you have a sandwich tucked away somewhere too?” I asked him. “Better,” he said. “Dessert.” He pulled a fistful of brownies from his robe pockets. I gasped. “Ugh, why didn’t I think of that?” “No need for you too,” he said easily, and handed me one smashed brownie, wrapped in a napkin. “Thanks!” I beamed, shredding off a chunk of my sandwich and giving it to him, unsolicited. He grinned too, shoving the unappealing mess in his mouth all at once. I watched the scars from our most recent near death experience stretch across his face as he chewed and glanced across the field towards the hufflepuff tent. “Where’s Peter?” I asked. “Too much of a sissy to brave the cold,” he mumbled through his full mouth. “Lyla?” “You didn’t hear?” I asked. “She just came down with that flu that’s been spreading like wildfire through the Ravenclaw common room. Took out Amanda and Bryant too.” He frowned. “Oh no. Maybe I ought to get her soup or chocolate or something.” “Don’t bother. Mel already made three batches or her signature soup. She swears up and down that it heals anything, and especially since she seasons it with Flu Fighter Phlem.” “Ah,” Remus answered, looking puzzled. “So why are you actually here early?” I asked, keenly. I felt like I had barely had a chance to get to know my sister’s boyfriend except in a group setting, what with us constantly either in the hospital wing or hunting dark objects. I’d be lying if I said that finding out that he was a werewolf didn’t change how I saw him. Honestly, it explained a lot. How someone so dorky and softhearted could still have that hard edge to him. Why he always looked sleep deprived and ruffled. Maybe I should have been afraid of him, but it was hard when I had spent six years seeing him as that sweet Gryffindor boy who added necessary balance to James and Sirius’s chaos. He cleared his throat, looking uncomfortable. “Sirius has kind of been having a rough go of it lately. He’s had enough family drama to last a lifetime and reconnecting Andromeda and Narcissa feels like getting caught up in all of it again. Seeing the two of them is kind of like looking in a mirror. And I think it breaks his heart a little bit that Narcissa actively sought out Andromeda and well… it’s not exactly going the same way for him.” He looked a little flustered, like he may have revealed too much. “Anyway, I just wanted to be in the front row to support him, you know?” I smiled a little at that. “I know.” Just then, the Hufflepuff team shot out onto the field, their yellow and black uniforms stark against the gray day, and saving me from trying to figure out what to say next. They looked like a dream, with Mel as Keeper, in the lead of their arrow shaped formation. As they sped by and the wind lifted our hair, I caught a glimpse of her grin before she was off and my heart leapt. Just as they started warm up drills, a flock of scarlet flew out of the Gryffendor tent and dramatically whipped around the field in soaring arcs and at least three barrel turns. I rolled my eyes as Remus whooped. They then started their drills on their designated side of the field. But just as they slammed their quaffle into the lowest hoop, one of the scarlet clad figures abandoned his posts. There were shouts of protest that went ignored as he shoved his long black hair out of his face and flew to the other hoops. The two keepers came face to face in midair, their robes whipping around them. Now it was the Hufflepuff’s turn to protest as he disrupted their shooting drills. Mel shouted at them to keep going and as she relentlessly blocked every shot taken at the goals, Sirius flew directly beside her, not getting in her way, and not losing height with her for a second. He looked to be continuously chatting with her as she ignored him, batting Quaffle after Quaffle out of her way until she appeared to miss one that slammed directly into Sirius, nearly knocking him off his broom. A surprised laugh burst out of Remus and I threw back my head and cackled. The Gryffendor, who had stopped to watch hooted and though they were far away, I thought I could see the ghost of a smile on her face before she yelled at her team to stop floating around and get back to it. “Okay, they total vibe, right,” I said to Remus. “I don’t know why I never noticed before.” “Oh there is definitely a vibe,” Remus confirmed. “Without question.” I bit back a laugh. “They’re going to be a handful together.” “Most certainly,” he answered. In unison our heads turned up to our respective goal posts. Then we both giggled. I went home that night feeling content with the world.
Remus POV
I was trying very hard not to laugh. I had found myself in this position often since having befriended the Marauders. Earlier today we had been caught red handed by McGonagall trying to slide down the moving staircases on mattresses and had been subsequently sent to Dumbledore’s office. James was now staring doe eyed up at the Headmaster. “You must believe me, sir,” he begged, hands clasped in front of him. “It was all these two idiots. I was simply minding my own business reading. Then they tried to ride down the stairs and when McGonagall came…” Here he shook his head mournfully, the picture of innocence. “They cast a spell…somehow we swapped bodies…oh, professor, you must believe I’m Remus Lupin.” I leaned back in my seat, spreading my legs in front of me and smirking. Sirius ran his hand through his hair in a very impressive James-like manner. “I’m afraid he’s right, professor,” I said. “I am certainly not Remus. Je ne comprendre pas.” I had not the faintest idea what I had just said but it was the only French I knew. “I’m the one and only Sirius Black. Oui.” Sirius laughed, jovially. “And I’m James!” He cried. Dumbledore looked unimpressed and not even slightly convinced by our ruse. He opened his mouth to speak, but the door to his office burst open before he could. “Headmaster!” It was Flitch, looking out of breath and irate. “It’s Peeves! He’s in the Trophy Room!” “Calm yourself, Argus,” Dumbledore said placatingly. “I am coming.” He turned back to us. We blinked up at him, attempting our best to look guilt-free which I’m sure was a task we were failing merserably at. “We will discuss this later, boys. For now, gather your things and head back to your commonroom. Straight to your commonroom.” He gave us all a stern look before sweeping out of the room. “Wicked,” James grinned and shot to his feet. He began opening cupboards and peering into drawers. “What prank should we leave?” “Dunno,” Sirius kicked his feet onto Dumbledore’s desk. “See anything good to nab?” “We can’t steal from Dumbledore, Padfoot,” I said standing up and stretching, bones still aching from the full moon. Although I had been assured many times it wasn’t my fault, I still felt a cold pit of acid in my stomach every time I though of last moon. Shuddering, I attempted to distract myself by studying the room around me. For being supposedly the greatest wizard alive, Dumbledore was sure messy. I reached up to stand a large candlestick back upright, but jerked my hand back at the sight of what was resting behind it. “Hey!” I cried out. “It’s the Sorting Hat.” “What?” James approached me and Sirius stood up. Prongs stretched his arm upward and grabbed the tattered hat. “We should try it on,” Sirius urged excitedly. “See what it has to say about us now?” “You first,” James stuck the hat out towards me. “You the one who found it.” I was about to refuse, but then figured this was one of the least harmful ideas the pair had had in a while. What could go badly with this? I shrugged and took the hat, plopping it onto my head without pretense, letting the fabric fall over my eyes. I waited for the small, but strong voice in my ear, picking apart my attributes, but it was silent under the brim of the hat. I frown, opening my mouth to ask if maybe this was some sort of replica or knockoff when something hard cam cracking down on my head. I stumbling, shouting, and tried to rip the had off. Instead I tripped and landed on Sirius, I think?, and send us both crashing to the floor. “Ow, ow, ouch!” I groan rolling over and finally removing the hat. “What in Merlin’s saggy left earlobe was that?” When I didn’t get a reply from my usually talkative friends I sat up to see for myself what had happened. Peaking halfway out of the Sorting Hat was a gleaming sword. It took me a moment read the inscription on the blade. When I did, I gasped. Ravenclaw. Hufflepuff. Slytherin. Gryffindor. A diadem, guarded by my girlfriend. A cup, being stolen by Sirius cousin. Two houses. Two artifacts. A speculation. A swords proudly displaying the words Godrick Gryffindor in shimmering silver. James reacted, kicking the sword away from us and Sirius hauled me to my feet, pushing me backwards. “Do you feel anything?” He asked me, voice colored with panic. “Anything dark? Remus, are you okay?” He shook my shoulders violently. “I’m—I’m fine, James, stop!” I cried pushing him off. “It’s not—it’s not evil.” “That’s a relief,” Sirius said, scrambling to his feet. He pick up the sword and handed it to me. “You should keep it.” “What? Why?” I asked, letting James pull me to my feet. “Because,” he answered. “We can’t have any more of these dark objects being created. We’ll hide it under your bed.” “Under my bed? Because that’ll surely fool Voldemort,” I retorted. “It’s where we keep the Map,” Sirius shrugged. I returned the gesture and took the sword. “Okay,” said James. “You two get that back to the dorm before Dumbledore comes back and I’ll clean up our mess.” He ushered us out of the office, and Sirius and I began our slow, cautious journey back to the Gryffindor commonroom, taking turns peaking around corners to check for professors. “Sirius?” I asked after we had stepped out from behind a suit of amour we where using as a sheild from Slughorn who was returning from his nightly stroll. “Yeah, Rem?” Sirius began walking again, hand deep in pockets, full on swagger mode. “Are you…are you doing alright?” I cautiously questioned. “Obviously,” he tossed his hair. “Why wouldn’t I be?” “You’re connecting your astranged cousin with her younger sister and collaborating with your brother whom you’ve been not talking to for years now. Why would you be okay?” Sirius shoulders sagged. “Regulus would never love me enough to make a trade for a few letters from me. I mean, he might make one so he wouldn’t get my letters.” “I…I’m not so sure about that anymore,” I admitted. Sirius looked at me, a mixture of hope and apprehension swimming in his eyes. “What do you mean?” His voice was hoarse and low. “I mean, Regulus is on a hunt to destroy pecies of Voldemort’s soul. Why do you think that is?” “Dunno. Maybe his crush on Zemen? The older one, of course.” I shook my head. “I don’t think so. Sure, it’s part of it, but…if there is one thing those sisters have taught me is that the bond between sibling goes deeming than any romantic love could.” Sirius didn’t meet my gaze, but he was shaking his head in disbelief. “You still love Regulus, even after everything. It is really impossible for his to still love you?” I asked, trying to see behind Sirius’s curtain of hair. Sirius opened his mouth, but shut it again with a snap before any words came out. I took that as a sign to continue. “The amount of knowledge he has—that research couldn’t have just started at the beginning of the year.” “What do you mean?” Sirius asked, voice breaking in and out. “Sirius, you’re seventeen. You’re about to graduate. This is the last time you’ll be in any situation resembling forced proximity,” I explained. “This is his last chance to love you.” “You really think so?” “I really think it’s your last chance, too.” Sirius didn’t say say anything for a long moment. When he finally spoke, it was only one word. “And?” “And I don’t want you to mess it up.” “Why?” “Because I love you, Sirius. I love you so much, and I want you to be happy. I know Regulus makes you happy…in a way no one else is capable of.” Sirius finally looked at me, cheeks damp. “I love you too, Remus. I’ll…I’ll think about what you’re saying. Really think.” “Thank you,” I nodded at him, sincere. “Speaking of dear Reggie and brotherhood,” Sirius smirked, throwing his arm around my shoulder. “With any luck, and if I know anything about love which I totally do, we may be brother-in-laws. What do you say Moons?” I laughed, throwing back my head. “I say thank goodness for the Zemen sisters.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Remus POV
Holidays were supposed to either be a nice break from school or an entire week deticating to immersing oneself in studies for finals. I was doing neither this Easter, instead fretting over how Regulus’s Holiday was going in terms of acquiring a certain Cup from his cousin. James, Sirius, and I were currently lounging in Prongs’ room, flipping through his records and tossing them on his bed. “I can’t believe Mum’s making throw out half my records!” James moaned, slipping from his bed to fall dramatically in the floor. “They’re my babies.” “Too bad,” I said, tossing a pile of broken records into a trash bin. I strangled, choking, gasping sounded from the corner of the room Sirius was occupying. I turned to see him clutching an album titled Vivaldi’s Greatest Songs for Piano. “You okay, Padfoot?” James asked, sitting up. “This…this used to be Reggie favorite,” Sirius whispered. “He used to play it all the time on the piano in the Morning Room. It was one of the only things that comforted him when Mother and Father were…” He trailed off but neither James nor I needed him to finish. “It comforted me too,” Sirius admitted this fact like it was a precious secret. He looked up and locked eyes with me. “This is my last chance,” he muttered. He tucked the album under his jacket and promptly exited the room. James looked at me. “What—?” “Grab some coin,” I ordered, snatching up my jumper that lay over James’s truck. “We’re going to need to call the night bus.”
Regulus’s POV
I was already waiting at the front door when it rang the Wednesday of Easter Break at noon. We had chosen this time because evenings were reserved for Death Eater meetings and Wednesdays were the day my Mother had her three hour hair appointment in town. My Father was working, of course. I took Cissy’s black fur coat as she waltzed in the door, looking the picture of royalty. Half of her white blonde hair was pulled back in an elegant twist and the rest fell in gentle waves around her shoulders. Her black dress was elegant and her black boots added a slight edge to the look. Her engagement ring sparkled magnificently on her slender finger, daring anyone to ignore it. Not a hair was out of place, as was demanded. “Cissy,” I greeted, depositing her coat to Kreature, our house elf, who stood at my side like some sort of absurd welcome party, and leaning in to phantom kiss her cheek. I had once actually kissed her cheek as my Mother had commanded, and Cissy had scolded that I was ruining her makeup. It hadn’t happened again. “Cousin,” she answered, her mouth in a prim line but her eyes sparkling. “It’s been so long,” she added, pouring slightly. “Indeed,” I agreed, suppressing a smirk. I led her into the sitting room where she took her usual place in the high backed chair by the window. Her eyes strayed to Kreature who was now hovering in the doorway. She hated house elves like everyone else in my family but tolerated Kreature for my sake. “You don’t mind if he stays, do you?” I asked her. Her brows rose slightly. “You trust a house elf in this matter?” she countered, as if he wasn’t standing right there. “I do. He has sworn an oath of loyalty to me as well as an unbreakable vow to put me and any mission I assign to him above the rest of the family and the Dark Lord. This is one of those missions and he already knows every detail. It does not conflict with his vow to the House of Black because I remain a member of said house. I assure you, he is trustworthy,” I finished with authority. Cissy pursed her lips but only said, “Very well.” Then she reached into her black purse and pulled out Helga Hufflepuff’s cup. My breath caught. “Thank you, Cissy,” I said honestly, reaching for the cup. Her grip on it tightened and I looked up into her pale eyes. “Thank you,” she said, emotion coloring her voice. My throat closed up a bit thinking about the reunion happening in spite of distance and discord. “Bella?” I asked, switching back to the subject at hand. The important subject. “Doesn’t suspect a thing,” she assured. She must have sensed my skepticism because she asked, “You doubt me, Regulus? Others have made that mistake before but I thought you knew better,” she tutted. “She is your sister,” I reasoned. “Exactly,” Cissy countered. “I would know if she had known. It worked like a dream. Into the vault, fawning over the ring…I’m a fantastic fawner, you know,” she added. I rolled my eyes. “I know.” “A little sleight of hand, and no one is the wiser. You’re too clever for your own good, cousin.” “It wasn’t just my idea,” I muttered. She ignored me. “And you have no qualms whatsoever about the fact that the Dark Lord commanded Bella to guard this with her life?” I asked, my eyes boring into hers. I had to know exactly where her loyalties lay. As if reading my mind, Cissy said, “My loyalty is to my family Regulus. Present and future,” she added, toying with her ring. Her tone was steely, but her face softened slightly. “Bella is family,” I pointed out. “So is Andy,” she answered, her voice wavering slightly. Her name hadn’t been spoken in this house since she ran off with that muggleborn and it rang around the room. “Bella will be fine,” she said stiffly. “Bella is always fine.” “You may be underestimating the Dark Lord,” I told her. “Are you sure you aren’t projecting, dear?” she asked, her eyes flashing and she leaned forward to look me in the eyes. “Tread lightly, cousin. From here on out you’re on your own. I can’t get you out of this, do you understand?” “I understand, cousin, and I would never ask you to. You’ve held up your end of the bargain,” I told her. “But I’m not alone.” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Tread lightly,” she repeated. I nodded, and we both rose in unison. “It’s been a pleasure doing business with you,” she chimed as returned her coat. “Likewise,” I answered. She was already down the front stoop and moments away from apparating away when I called out to her. “Oh, and Cissy?” I called. “Do stay in touch,” I said, a sheepish, semi-hopeful look on my face. Her face softened. “I’d love to.” Then she was gone. I turned to Kreature who was hovering in the doorway, at the ready. “Come on,” I told him. “Let’s see what all the fuss is about.” We traipsed up the wooden stairs to my room and I didn’t bother to soften my footsteps as mother preferred. It was only when the house was completely empty, save for Kreature and I, that I was able to marginally relax. I plopped down on my bed and Kreature sat cross legged on the ground in front of me. I held the cup up in front of us, examining it from all angles. “Horrid house,” Kreature grumbled. “But an intricate artifact,” he added. House elves weren’t supposed to speak unless spoken to but long ago I had ordered Kreature to speak his mind and had been paying the price ever since. I didn’t actually mind because it felt like having a friend. A crotchety, disgruntled, pain in my butt friend. “It grows on you,” I told him, smiling slightly. Kreature was the only member of the House of Black I smiled in front of beside Cissy. He shot me a look. “Master is much altered since the fall.” “Altered?” I asked, my tone teasing. “Altered how?” “Master rebels and smiles and spends more time on his grooming,” Kreature said keenly. “Shut up,” I told him, grinning. “Kreature lives to serve the Noble House of Black,” he answered automatically, then promptly fell silent. I rolled my eyes and tried to suppress my smile, standing up to stretch and pacing to my window. As I glanced dispassionately out of the window, my gaze caught on a figure on the pavement. I froze. He was pacing in the front stoop, his hands shoved in his jacket pockets and he looked nearly identical to me.
Remus POV
I hadn’t been to a park since I was four. My parents had taken me every Saturday for a while, pushing me on the swings and sitting on the opposite end of the seesaw. Then I got bitten and being outside became a lot less common. So I was feeling a little awkward as I sat next to James on a bench in the playground outside the hidden No. 12 Grimmauld Place. He was noisily opening a gronola bar, kicking his feet back and forth. “They’re going to reconcile,” he said, finally managing to peel back the wrapping. He broke off a chunk of the bar and handed it to me. “I know it.” I nodded my head, accepting the crumpling piece of granola. When James said he knew something then he knew it, and it would undoubtedly come true. Peter had joked he was secretly a seer, but I disagreed. James was simply so honest, so true and pure that he could tell when other things were as well. He could also tell when things need something honest, true, and pure. Maybe that’s why he was such a good friend to Sirius and I. James stretched out his limbs, mouth full. “I ‘an’t believe we’re gradua’ing ‘oon.” He said, crumbs spitting out of his mouth. “I know right,” I agreed, picking chocolate chips out of the gronola and popping them into my mouth. “Say,” James swallowed. “I’ve been think of this for a while. There’s the little forest near my parents house, one with a lake and waterfall and cabin and stuff.” He brushed his pants clean. “After graduation we should, you know? Spend a couple weeks camping, bring the girlfriends. A true Marauders summer. What do you say?” He looked at me hopefully. “That sounds winderful,” I said truthfully. “It’ll be a blast. We can have s’mores, swim, hike…” “…canoe, capture the flag, racing,” James sighed, content. “It’s perfect. I’ll propose to Lily.” I sat up straight. “What?” James grinned at me, blushing and sheepish. “Yeah…I-I love her. Always have, always will. That won’t change.” I beamed at him as he continued. “We’ve dated for over a year and it’s not like will marry right away anyways, but,” he reached into his pocket as he spoke. “I talked to may parents over Winter Holiday, and Mum gave me her ring.” Out of his jeans he pulled a small, shiny black box. He crack open the lid revealing a diamond studded band with a small emerald nestled in the center. “This she’ll like it?” James sounded nervous and uncertain. “You’re joking, right?” I laughed, joy bubbling in my stomach and filling my body with warmth. “She’ll love it.” “Yeah?” James beamed. “Yeah,” I threw my arm around his neck, pulling his head downward and rubbing my knuckling in his hair. James shouted and shoved me off, giggling. He punched his fists in the hair in victory. “Yes!” He cried, laughing again. “The world is ours, Moony.” I chuckled, elbowing him gently in the ribs. “Right you are, Prongs. The world is ours.”
Regulus POV
My heart stopped. What was he doing here? Since the day he slammed the door behind him, he hadn’t stepped foot over the threshold once. So why was he now pacing on the sidewalk in front of Grimmauld Place? My blood ran cold as I realized it must be an emergency and stormed down the stairs, throwing open the front door and running out into the front stoop. Sirius, midstep, spun to face me looking shocked, as if he wasn’t the one at my door. “Who is it? Iris? Lyla? Mel? What happened?” I cried, my voice cracking on the last word. “What?” Sirius spluttered. “The girls, are they okay?” I realized I was gripping Sirius’s leather jacket sleeve in my panic, but I didn’t care. He looked taken aback. “Yes, they’re fine. I swear,” he said. “Merlin, I should have realized that’s what you would think.” He shook his head. “This is already going terribly.” I let go of him, releif washing over me, which was cooly replaced by wariness. I took a step back. “Then why are you here?” I asked him, my voice coming out cold. I wasn’t sure if I had meant it to sound like that or if it just was just my default tone. His gazed skipped across the street to the soggy park that we used to sneak out to on summer nights and I followed it. Two figures were sitting on a damp bench trying to look inconspicuous. “Did you bring your whole house for this? Whatever this is?” I asked, rolling my eyes. My brother cleared his throat and glanced behin to to where the front door was still hanging wide open. “Could we, erm, go inside?” I fixed him with a cold stare and now it was his turn to roll his eyes exaggeratedly. “Unless you want an audience?” he asked. “Fine,” I bit out, spinning on my heel and not looking behind me. We passed that stupid portrait mother was having commissioned of herself, set up on an easle in the sitting room, and Sirius raised a silent brow but said nothing. Once we got to the dining room, Sirius pulled out an ebony chair, a stricken look on his face, and sat, assuming I would join him. I stayed standing. “What do you want?” I asked him. He reached deep into an inside pocket of his coat and pulled out a record wrapped in brown paper. As he pulled it out, I caught the inscription on the side and my breath caught. “It’s was your favorite song to play on piano, remember?” The silence stretched taught between us. My first reaction was the shatter the record on the table. He didn’t get to make me feel this. But I couldn’t, I just couldn’t. Maybe that made me weak. “Of course I remember, but how do you?” I get out, praying for my voice to stay steady. “I rememeber everything Reggie,” he said softly, looking up at me. I swallowed. And then that question that I had asked him a thousand times in my dreams, or nightmares, slipped out, so slippery I didn’t have time to shove it back down. “Why didn’t you take me with you?” I whispered. A plea. Sirius’s face crumpled. “Would you have come?” Another silence. I didn’t know how to answer. Or what my answer was. So instead I said, “You should have asked me.” I hated how my voice wavered. “Even if it would have ruined your perfect friend group’s fun, even if Potter family dinners would have been a little more awkward, you should have asked me.” Sirius shot to his feet. “That’s not why! I would have asked if I would have thought you would come. If I had know for sure that you wouldn’t have told Mother and Father-“ “I wouldn’t have!” I cried. “-If I hadn’t thought you might try to convince me to stay,” he said, his eyes pleading for understanding. I opened my mouth to protest again but nothing came out. Instead I said again, “You should have taken me with you,” but my heart wasn’t in it this time. I was horrified to find a few tears leaking out against my will, blurring my vision. “You should have taken me with you.” It sounded like defeat. Sirius was around the table to two seconds and all of a sudden I was enveloped in a leather scented hug. “You would have asked me to stay,” he choked out, the sound muffled into my button down. “I know,” I croaked, my arms coming around him of their own volition. It felt like the most natural thing in the world. It felt like home. “I know.” After what felt like an eternity, but still not nearly long enough, we pulled apart. “Come with me?” he asked. I stood there, rooted to the spot, blinking at him. “Yes,” I said. Sirius smiled, and I thought, for a moment, that it was the happiest I had seen him since before he had turned eleven. “Come on,” he said, still grinning, and somehow crying. “I think you’re really going to like the Potters.” Miraculously, and first the first time in ages, I believed my brother.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Lyla’s POV
Today was Amanda and Bryant’s sixteenth birthday, and the Ravenclaw commonroom was chaos. A magically magnified record player shook the room on the beat as it blasted Twist and Shout by the Beatles. Students from all houses, many of which I was pretty sure had never spoken to either of the twins, were dancing atop tables, cups full of firewhisky clutched in their hands or else scattered around the floor creating dark stains on the carpet. I had already presented the twins with their birthday cake and made everyone sing. Amanda had been giddy with the attention and even Bryant had seemed relaxed and gleeful despite the approaching O.W.L. exams. Now the pair were thoroughly drunk and doing some weird flailing of their hands dance that they swore their American uncle had taught them. I was grinning and having a blast. I jumped, surprised, when an arm was thrown over my shoulder. I turned to see Sirius grinned at me. “I’m surprised you’re not dancing up there too, Zemen,” he shouted over the music. “Ravenclaws can’t hold their liquor.” “And you can?” I challenged. “Oh, please,” Sirius rolled his eyes. “I’ve got at least another five drinks in me before I get too tipsy.” I grabbed his sleeve and pulled him over the the drink table. It was less loud here and I could talk without screaming. “Where’s your girlfriend?” I asked, pouring us both another cup of firewhisky. “With your sister,” Sirius took the cup from me. “I think they’re trying to teach Reggie how to do the Salsa.” I snorted into my cup. “How is it going with you and him?” “Good,” Sirius grinned. “I mean not perfect or anything and we’ve got a long way to got before were anything close to normal brothers, but it’s…good.” “I’m glad,” I smiled. “And happy for you both.” My smile faded slightly. “I’m worried about you both,” I admitted. Sirius frowned at me. “I’m afraid I’ve done you a disservice,” he said. My eyebrow shot up. “What? How?” “I think I’ve only ever shown you…well, the bad stuff.” Sirius was looking intently into my eyes, imploring me to understand something. I wonder what. “Huh?” It wasn’t a very intelligent response but I figured alcohol made people not very intelligent. “You’ve been helping us, and you’ve seen quite a lot,” Sirius shifted his weight. “Me in the library, Remus transforming, whatever Reggie has shown or told you.” I nodded my head slowly, unsure where this is heading. “I think that you have gotten the wrong impression,” Sirius scratched the back of his next. “Moony, er, Remus told me that you worry a lot, and that maybe your view of the world has been a little…negative as of late.” I titled my head. “Isn’t yours?” Sirius shook his. “We’ve been feeding you a lot of bad stuff and not told you a lot of good. Look, Lyla, you don’t need to carry anything for us.” I squinted at him. “Isn’t that what friends are for?” “Friends are for support and comfort, not to take on so much responsibility and pressure they crumble.” Sirius looked at me intently. “I don’t need that from you. Remus doesn’t. Regulus doesn’t. It just…it doesn’t help, and it only hurts you.” “But…but I want to help,” I rubbed my forehead. “Am I not helping?” “You’re are! That’s not what I’m saying. Merlin, I’m going about this all wrong,” Sirius took a deep breath. “I like my life. I mean, a lot of bad has happened to me, but so has a lot of good. And the good far outweighs all of the bad. The same is true for Remus and I think Regulus too,” Sirius put his hands on my shoulders. “You don’t need to go through your life thinking everyone is miserable and depressed. There is happiness. I’m happy. We’re happy.” It felt like a frog was stuck in my throat. My eyes burn and my cheek were wet when I went to brush them with my sleeve. I had been thinking that. I had been thinking Sirius always felt horrible, Remus always hurting, and Regulus always drowning. But, what evidence did I have to back that up? I had seen them sad and upset, but I had also seen them so incredibly happy. Maybe that was just life, full of ups and downs. It wasn’t my job as their friend to stay hunched eternally in the valley anymore than it was for me to try and pin them to the mountain top. All I could do was ride the wave with them and stay by their side. I felt an enormous weight life from my shoulders and I threw myself at Sirius, sobbing. He patted the top of my head. “There, there,” he chuckled. “Can I tell you a secret?” I nodded my head, wiping snot from my nose. “When I first became friends with James and Remus, I hated the thought of them dating anyone,” Sirius laughed again, quietly. “I thought the girls would take them away from me, separate us.” He gave me a playful shove. “I know now that was just plain stupid. I just guess I didn’t know those girlfriends would be such amazing, wonderful people and become fantastic friends,” he smiled at me, and through my own tears, I couldn’t tell if he was crying or not. “Lyla, you’re turning out to be just like a sister.” I squeezed him tighter, trying to make him know all of the love I felt. “I’ve always wanted an older brother.”
Regulus POV
Iris tugged my left arm flush with hers as Mel kicked my right leg, hard. “Ow!” I yelped. “It’s this foot, Regulus, your right foot okay? You have to lead with your right,” Mel yelled at me over the music. “Okay! Okay!” I exclaimed. “Just stop kicking me, you’re leaving bruises!” “Fine, fine,” Mel said, throwing up her hands. “I’ll take a refreshment break,” she said, already eagerly heading over in the direction of Sirius. “Oh a refreshment break?” Iris called after her. “Uh huh!” “Go refresh yourself,” I murmured after her, grinning. She didn’t turn back but threw up a vulgar gesture in our direction. “When did she become mean?” I asked, turning back to Iris whose arm and hand were still loosely intertwined with mine. “Don’t ask me,” she said, shrugging. Her shoulder bumped against mine in the process and I tried to ignore the way my skinned burned from the small brush. I was hyper aware of every place our skin touched, which was probably why my focus on actually learning to salsa was so lacking. I was absolutely awful. “I’m absolutely awful,” I told her. “No,” she said, uncertainly. “You’re a terrible liar, you know,” I said, looking down at her fondly. “You’re not awful!” she protested. “You just haven’t practiced enough! C’mon.” She lifted our arms and put her other hand on my shoulder as I snaked my arm around her waist as nonchalantly as I could manage. Our chests were practically pressed together and I tried not to shiver at the closeness. “Okay lead with your right foot and I’ll lead with my left.” I did as ordered and she beamed. “Great! See?” “Yeah great. We managed to take one whole step,” I deadpanned. “Whatever,” she answered. “I believe in us.” “Yeah,” I said, my voice suddenly rough. “I do too.” Then I made the mistake of looking down at her. She was smiling this soft, happy smile just for me, her face illuminated under the golden orbs of light that Lyla had charmed to bob against the navy ceiling. Little flyaways framed her face, curling against her flushed cheeks and I drank her in, memorizing every detail. I knew it was stupid. I knew it wasn’t rational, but for this one perfect moment I was done being rational. I knew caring inevitably meant loosing. But all I could seem to care about was whether she lost. Blood rushed to my ears as I bent my head down towards her’s. People swarmed around us on all sides, the Ravenclaw common room packed with students of all houses, but I didn’t think of a single one of them. I didn’t care who saw me or what people thought as I leaned down to kiss her. I wanted everyone to know that I was in love with Iris Zemen.
Iris POV
My world was spinning and I didn’t know if it would ever stop. Regulus Black was kissing me. Reg. Nothing was computing. It’s like my brain had completely screeched to a halt. My body however, was working just fine. My lips burned where they met his and I could feel exactly where his hands were on my waist, even through my jumper. I had never been kissed like this before. It was somehow a swirling mix of firm resolve, sweetness, desperate need, and tentativeness all blended together into an intoxicating light headed dream. I curled my fingers into thick wavy hair and it felt exactly how I had imagined it. I couldn’t believe this was real. I couldn’t believe he was real. As I kissed him back I could feel him relax into my embrace. His shoulder muscles loosened and he gathered me to him. It was hard to wrap my head around the fact that it was Reg, my Reg, kissing me. Someone I didn’t even know a year ago. Someone who had become so important to me. I should have been worried that this was going to ruin our friendship. I should have been worried that this might turn awkward. But I wasn’t. Because even through the nerves and the butterflies and the aching in my heart I was blanketed in an overwhelming sense of rightness. Being in his arms felt right. Leafing through textbooks side by side until all hours of the night felt right. Constantly teasing him and watching him try to repress his grin and blush felt right and holding him when he broke down about Sirius or his parents felt like exactly where I was supposed to be. He was like some unexpected wrench in the plans I had thought I wanted, that had somehow thrown my life more on track than it had been before. As I pulled back to look at him, I could feel his hands tightening on my waist like he was afraid to let me go. I smiled up at him, looking flushed and dazed and drop dead gorgeous. It was maybe the first time I hadn’t seen him completely put together. He caught someone’s gaze over my shoulder and barely resisted rolling his eyes. I turned to see Sirius giving him a thumbs up and beaming, Mel hanging off his arm and staring at us like she was going to faint with joy and looking more than a little tipsy. As I tuned back to face Reg, I rolled my eyes too but couldn’t help grinning. I loved watching Sirius and Reg interact the last few days, even if it was awakard at times. Seeing the two brothers reconcile felt like something worthwhile I had been a part of. Something bigger than Hogwarts or romance or even the war. Something long lasting. I bit my lip as a question surfaced to the forefront of my thoughts and I knew I had to ask it, kiss or no. “Reg, I need to ask you something,” I said. He immediately stiffened and I almost wished I hadn’t said it. But if I was going to trust him again, really trust him, I had to ask. “Why did you become a Death Eater?” “That’s the question you’re asking right now?” he asked, running his hands through his hair, looking flustered. My fingers twitched to smooth it back down but I resisted the urge. “It’s not what I want to be doing,” I muttered and his gaze found mine, softening as he blushed a little. That blush did powerful things to my heart but I forced myself to stay focused. “Reg,” I prompted. “Alright,” he said. “When I was ten and Sirius was away at Hogwarts, the Dark Lord came to our house. No one knew he was coming, not my parents, not my cousins, and not me. I was setting the table in the dining room while my parents were screaming at each other across the table about some stupid thing that had happened at Father’s work. Then out of the blue, completely out of thin air, the Dark Lord appears five feet from me. Iris, you don’t understand, but power radiates off of him. He doesn’t have to say anything or do anything and yet still you know that if you make the wrong move, you could be gone in an instant. He didn’t scream, not like they always did. He spoke softly, whispered so you had to hang on his every word. He was mad at my father. He had messed up some mission I guess, and so he started torturing him. And you know what my mother did? She said that he didn’t represent the rest of us. Over his screams she tossed her head and told him that she wouldn’t have failed him and to not hold her husband’s inadequacies against her. I knew without a doubt that if the Dark Lord turned on me she would deny me too. No one was going to protect me, and it was terrifying. I swore to myself that I would never be that scared again. I knew that power was the only thing to counter fear and for a long time it felt like being a Death Eater was the easiest way to get that power, to stay in his good graces. But during my fifth year, every time Bella came to visit she had new burn marks on her arms and I knew they were from him. I realized that even the most loyal and powerful Death Eaters still lived in fear and the only way to truly escape that was to escape him. Of course the Dark Lord can’t be escaped, no matter what Sirius and Andy think, he can only be destroyed. And best chance at destroying him is to know him. That is why I joined the Death Eaters. That, and that alone,” he finished, looking tired. I swallowed. “Okay.” “Okay?” he asked. “Okay,” I said. “I didn’t think you really agreed with him or anything I just wondered if your family…” “Forced me into it? No. It was international. Though to be honest, I don’t think there would be any escaping it.” “Right,” I said. “Reg, I’m sorry. I’m sorry that that happened to you and I’m sorry you’re constantly living in fear and that your life is so trashy.” “It’s not your fault,” he said. “And besides, we’re doing it. We’re getting closer. For the first time ever I feel like there might be an end in sight.” He looked off into space and blinked a few times like he couldn’t quite believe it. “I feel like that too,” I said. His gaze returned to mine and he started to smile a little. “Besides, this party can hardly be considered trashy.” I rolled my eyes. “Hardly,” I agreed. He grinned at me and I couldn’t help but throw my arms around him, holding him as tightly as I could, feeling his heart beat against mine.
Remus POV
I was drunk. That was the only explanation for why I was currently doing some sort of dancing off with James and Sirius. “Throw it down, Moony! Woohoo!” Sirius shouted at me at he grinded on Mel. She was giggling manically, trying to capture Sirius lips with her own. “Lyla!” This came from Lily who was being spun around by James at a dizzying speed. “Dance! C’mon!” Lyla was looking at us with raised eyebrows, her body very clearly not moving to the music. It was clear she could hold her liquor. “Yeah c’mon, Ly! Don’t be a party pooper!” James giggled. Pooper! Hehehe!” Lily pulled James closer and he picked her easily up into his arms. “Love, stay with me,” he murmured, swaying. “I will.” I looked away as their bodies became entangled. A hand grabbed my, and I knew from feel it was Lyla. I pulled her up against me. “Hey, Brains,” I could still smell her perfume threw the stench of alcohol and sweat. “Dance?” I asked, eyebrows raised. Lyla laughed and I melted. “Sure, but later, Rem,” she said, beginning to pull me through the crowd. “But let me get you sobered up a bit first.” I giggled as she leaned into me. “Regulus and Iris kissed, did you see?” “Yes!” I pumped my fist in the air. “Finally!” Lyla laughed again, and I grinned. So violently was I pleased with making her happy that I didn’t realize Lyla had stopped walking until I crashed into her. I peaked over her shoulder to see what was in her path to find a very grumpy and displeased Kreature glowering at us. “Kreature!” I cried. “I didn’t know you moved to Hogwarts!” Kreature gave me a once over, examining me like I was a roach in the kitchen. He dismissed me without so much as a grunt. “Miss Lyla,” he croaked, giving a short, half-bow to my girlfriend. “I have a messege for you to give to Master Regulus. It is very important, and I know you work with him on this…project. Unfortunately, you seem to be the only one, er, sober enough to deliver the message.” I snorted. “Lyla, Lyla! Look at Sirius! What is he doing?” My voice grew higher and higher pitch as I spoke. Lyla sent a fleeting glance toward Sirius who was balancing five cups of firewhisky on his head as Mel place another atop his curls. She turned back to Kreature, still holding my hand. “Where’s Regulus?” She asked. “Master Regulus is busy being intertwined with you’re sister,” Kreature, if it was possible, seemed to be flustered. I wondered foggily why that could be. “I did not wish to disturb him.” “No,” Lyla was quick to agree. “I wouldn’t either. What is the messege?” “Tell Master Regulus that the object he is looking for is Salazar Slytherin’s locket,” Kreature passed a shocked Lyla a slip of paper. “I wrote its location here. But I must warn against haste. There will be many enchantments in the cave the locket resides in. You will need to be very prepared.” Lyla bobbed her head up and down, her face pale as moonlight. I belatedly felt like howling for her. Would she like my singing? “Thank you, Kreature,” Lyla said. “I will tell him.” Kreature gave a short nod before vanishing. “Whoa,” I said. “Where’d he go?” Lyla turned to be taking my face into her hands. “Oh Remus.” She looked nervous, he teeth tearing at her bottom lip. I pushed her hair out of her eyes. “What can I do?” Lyla sighed, a ghost of a smile appearing on her face. “Nothing, love. Not tonight. Tomorrow we will research. But tonight is just for us.” I leaned down, brushing my lips against hers, questioning and soft. She answered, burying her hands deep into my hair, her nails scratching at my scalp as I picked her up. Her legs tangled around my waist as we fell gently onto a nearby sofa, basking in each other. “My heart,” I whispered, my pulse quickening as I deepened the kiss.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Regulus POV
I bent over my history of magic homework spread across my desk. It wasn’t my favorite class by any means, and I was hoping to whip through it before finding Iris. She was desperate to go to the Gryffendor vs Hufflepuff game tonight, and I wouldn’t mind seeing Sirius completely destroyed by Mel, even if we were on good terms now. Despite my best efforts, my mind kept wandering to the locket Kreature had identified. Slytherin’s locket. My house. I, of all people, should know what it meant but I didn’t. Hence, we had been locked up in the library researching, again. And once again, we were getting nowhere. I tried to bring my focus back to the goblin rebellions. I was just writing down my final notes when the fire that had been burning low in my dorm fireplace cracked loudly and leapt to double in size. I narrowed my eyes and double checked that my dorm door was locked. Sure enough, a moment later a face appeared in the flames. Narcissa’s features came into focus as I went to crouch in front of the flame. Before I could greet her she began talking in a hushed tone. “Regulus, listen to me now. The Dark Lord knows someone is after his horcruxes, I don’t know how, but he does. He thinks it’s the Headmaster going after them. He just apparated out of the meeting Bella was in and he’s going to check on them right now. You must lay low, at least for the next few days. I don’t know where you have the cup hidden but don’t go near that thing. Understand?” “Understood,” I answered, my heart racing. “Thanks, Cissy. I owe you.” “Don’t be daft. We’re family. You don’t owe me a thing,” she answered, rolling her eyes. “Stay alert,” I whispered to her. “Always,” she answered. Then she was gone. I whirled into action, bolting through the common room and up the dungeon steps. I needed to find Iris. I needed to find everyone. If the Dark Lord truly was checking on the horcruxes and he found two of them missing, who knows what he would do with the rest. In all likelihood he would move them somewhere he deemed safer or even keep them on his person. The window for getting the locket was closing, and fast. We had to get it before he could retrieve it. It was probably our only chance. As I made it to the landing in front of the Great Hall luck was on my side. I ran smack into a lively trio of red, yellow, and blue. My friends. “Iris! Lyla, Remus, listen. We’re in trouble and we have to move now.” I quickly relayed what Narcissa had told me and Iris dashed towards the kitchen to grab the cup while Lyla took the stairs two at a time to get the diadem from her room. There were traitors within the castle and who knew if the Dark Lord would assign them to start a search. How many dark marks had I seen with my own two eyes, proudly being bared in my common room? We couldn’t leave them unattended. “Remus, you grab the sword, just in case. We may not know how it is all related to this but it’s got to be connected somehow. It’s Gryffendor’s most valuable heirloom.” “On it. And I’ll grab the others too. Sirius and Mel won’t want to miss this, even if it means missing the game,” he said. “There’s no time!” I exclaimed. “It’ll take us too long to make it all the way down to the pitch. The Dark Lord could already be there!” “Fine,” Remus acquiesced. In a strained five minutes we had met back in the Entrance Hall, trinkets tucked beneath our robes. We took off towards the whomping willow passage to Hogsmeade without a word.
Lyla POV
The diadem had left imprints on my palm as I clutched it for dear life. My heart was beating out of my ribcage as we ran down the narrow passage, Remus’s wand’s light bobbing at the front of our group. The moment we emerged into the shrieking shack, we all whirled to face each other, panting. “Okay,” Remus’s voice was low, an undercurrent of trepidation and fear leaking through. “Everyone grab on.” He reached out his hand and we all clung to it. He glanced at me, his lips pressed into a thin line. I offered him a shaky smile. “I love you,” I mouthed. “Stay close,” he responded. With a crack we were gone, my stomach somersaulting and my heart leaping to my throat. As quickly as it had begun, the sensation stopped. We landed in a huff and I stumbled, nearly making contact with the ground before Remus caught me. “You good, Brains?” he asked, managing a smirk. “Yeah,” I breathed, loosening my tie and willing the nausea away. “That’s fun. We should do it again.” I straightened, glancing over to see Iris and Regulus clutching hands desperately, a thousand words passing in the silence. I bit my lip hard and turned to Remus. “Don’t do anything stupid,” I ordered. “If something goes wrong don't act the hero. Take care of yourself.” “You too, Lyla,” he leaned down and captured my lips in a quick, passionate kiss. “I love you. Be smart.” “I always am, Remus,” I smiled at him. “Be brave.” Remus grinned. “That’s my specialty.” “Are we ready?” Regulus’s voice pierced the silence. I turned to face him, nodding. He was deathly pale, his knuckles white. “Our priority is to get the locket,” Regulus announced. “If the Dark Lord gets it…” he trailed off, but none of us needed him to know what would happen. “Just—we don’t know what’s in there. So be vigilant.” He paused glancing at Iris. “None of you have to go in. There’s no shame in turning back.” Remus snorted. “We’re coming, Regulus. Don’t be thick.” I rolled my eyes, nodding. “We didn’t come this far just to turn back now.” Iris smiled. “I’m with you forever.” Regulus nodded and turned towards the cave’s entrance. We all followed suit, running our hands over the wall looking for a way to get in. Moments passed in tense silence, my neck cramping and fingers turning gray with dirt as my anxiety grew. We didn’t have time for this. Just as I was about to suggest trying to find another way in, Remus straightened. “Here,” he said. “There’s something…Dark.” We all gathered around him. There was a simple, small crack in the wall. “This?” Regulus asked doubtfully. “It demands payment.” I shivered. “What sort of payment?” “Life,” Remus had a faraway look on his face. “Life?” Iris exclaimed. “Are you sure? That’s a little…severe.” Remus didn’t answer, instead pulling back a bandage from his last moon. He wiped his hand along the wound, his fingers coming back stained red. He wiped them along the crack. A deep rumbling sound shook the ground as the wall opened up like a yawning mouth. “Oh,” Iris sighed. “That kind of life.” She stepped into the cave without hesitation. We all followed. The dark tunnel until it opened up, revealing a still, green lake. On the far side of the water was a rock. Sitting almost delicately on top was a basin. “That’s probably it.” Remus said. “Yup,” Iris argreed. “How do we get across?” I approached the lake. “Voldemort would have made a way,” I said, cautious. I peered into the murky water, carefully placing my foot onto a jagged rock. “There’s something in there.” “Don’t touch the water,” Regulus warned. I leaned down. “Okay, there’s definitely something there,” I squinted. “Don’t touch the water,” Iris repeated Regulus. “I won’t,” I reassured. “Lucky we live in a world with magic.” I reached out my hand confidently over the object buried in the lake. A chain whipped out of previously still water, sending splashes of droplets scattering across the waves. I nearly fumbled the chain, my fingers barely grasping onto the cold, wet metal. I pulled and the object easily surfaced. It was a rickety, old boat. “All aboard,” Remus called, voice dripping with sarcasm. We all obeyed anyways. The boat swayed and sagged dangerously under our weight. Regulus had barely stepped inside before it shot off across the once again still lake. We reached the other side quickly and scrambled out, happy to no longer be on the water. The basin was a pale, tan stone, ominously standing above us. We hesitant approached it, our wands raised. I peered into the basin. Below a sheet of what looked like water sat the locket, glowing a dangerous green. Regulus sent his wand scattering over the surface of the liquid protection. “We can’t get through,” he said, this time pushing his hand in, meeting resistance. I picked up a shell that was balanced precariously on the edge of this basin. “This must have something to do with it,” I said thoughtfully. “I have to drink it.” I whipped my way towards Regulus. He looked solemn and, worse of all, serious. “What! That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard!” I exclaimed the same time my sister shouted, “What do you mean I?” “It’s the only way,” Regulus said, gravely. “Hogwash!” Remus cried. “That’ll kill you!” “It’s not the only way,” Iris criticized Regulus. She looked angry and frazzled, almost as pale as the boy she was scolding. She pulled out the Cup from under her robes. “There can’t be anything Darker than horcruxes.” “We could scoop it out!” I exclaimed, realizing what my sister was getting at. She nodded and dipped Hufflepuff’s artifact into the potion. It cut through easily, reaching the locket quickly. She maneuvered it into the cup and pulled it out. Regulus held out his hands and Iris dumped the locket into his waiting palms. Immediately the cave started to shake. I gripped the basin tightly with one hand to steady myself as I pulled out the diadem with the other. It was burning hot in my hand. I looked up to see my friends having similar reactions to the artifacts that were holding. “What’s happening?” Remus asked, reaching towards me. Before he could grab my arm, he was jerked suddenly backwards. I screamed, launching myself forwards, but Regulus got there first, sending a spell at something behind Remus. I was about to ask what had happened, but my question was quickly answered as I looked out onto the lake. Dead bodies were rising above the surface. Inferi. Before I could even open my mouth, the entrance to the cave started to close, alarmingly fast. I reacted, sending a spell out to the lake, freezing it. I sprinted across the ice, slipping and sliding as the inferi broke through my path. I reached the door with only a moment to spare, diving forcefully and jamming the diadem under the door. It worked, the indestructible horcruxes keeping the stone from trapping us inside. I whirled to face my friends. Remus was in the boat wand and sword swinging around his head like a knight. Inferi fell one after another, piling, floating in the water. Iris was standing on top of the basin, giving her the high ground against the living dead creatures as she sent spell after spell at them. I attempted to look for Regulus, but the Inferi were fast approaching. I beat them back and looked towards the island. Regulus was there bending over…a house elf? I frowned watching as he pulled back his left sleeve, reaching a shaking hand out. My brain stalled. “Wait!” I cried. It was too late. A bang of power sent me to my knees, my palms cutting on the jagged rocks. My body was quivering, fear stealing the air from my lungs. Slowly, hesitantly I raised my head. My gaze met the piercing red eyes of Lord Voldemort.
Iris POV
I shot another spell at a group of inferni as I spun on the pedestal, constantly trying to keep them at bay. It was a time game, and I knew it. In between spells I frantically glanced up at the others. Remus seemed to be doing decently well with the sword, but I can’t even see my sister through the swarm. Dread pooled in my stomach. I turned to see how Regulus is faring and am shocked to find a house elf standing next to him. If I had to guess, I’d say it was Kreature. Regulus must have called him to help us. A wave of relief filled me. House elves were extremely powerful. He could stop these inferni. I was about to call out to him but the words died in my throat as I saw what he was doing. In one swift motion, before I could stop him or warn the others, he shoved up his left sleeve, and pressed his dark mark. My heart sank to my toes. What was happening? Why would he do that? What—? And then I saw him. Appearing out of thin air, was Lord Voldemort. All at once, all the inferni went crashing back into the lake, sending waves splashing onto the shore and spraying at our feet. I barely noticed them. I couldn’t take my eyes off of the powerful wizard standing before me. An icy fear settled into my stomach, and I tried to move but couldn't. “Come,” he said, in a breathy hissing voice. All at once I shot from the pedestal to the feet of Voldemort, my body and limbs moving without my consent as I bent into a bow. Remus flew out of the boat and landed with a thud next to me, doing the same. He didn’t even bother disarming us. He didn’t need to. “You girl,” he motioned to Lyla. “Bring that to me.” She didn’t have to ask what that was. My body was frozen so I was unable to see her but I heard the scraping noise of her retrieving the diadem from the doorway and the stone rolling to shut us in. A tomb. This was a tomb. We were going to die here. Soon she was kneeling on the other side of me. We had no choice but to look up. Everything about Voldemort was terrifying; his eyes, his slits for nostrils, and pallid face, and the way he radiated power. I tore my gaze from his, unwilling for him to see the fear in my eyes. But that only resulted in my gaze landing on Regulus standing next to him, Kreature at his side, and I could feel the hysteria building in me. How could he? How could he betray us? I loved him and had trusted him. I felt tears prick at the corner of my eyes and I swallowed hard. I could not cry here, no matter how devastated I might be. I was an idiot. He had the Dark Mark for Merlin’s sake. And had just let him explain it away like a fool. I had wanted to believe him and so I had. But he had always been so committed to finding these horcruxes. Why go to all the trouble of collecting them from places Voldemort deemed valuable if you were just going to give them back to him? It didn’t make sense. “Take them all,” Voldemort ordered. Regulus silently obeyed. He grabbed the diadem from Lyla’s hand and the sword from Remus. As he rifled through my robes for where I had tucked the cup in the haste of the battle, shame burned on my face. I could barely meet his eyes but when I did he looked directly at me, not breaking eye contact for a second, almost as if he was trying to tell me something. I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what. He grabbed the cup, and I stared at his hands that held all four houses' magical objects. All our months of hard work piled into his grasp to be returned to the most dangerous wizard on the planet. Voldemort examined the objects, his gaze landing on the sword. “The sword of Gyffendor,” he mused. “An excellent host for a horcrux. Of course, it can only be given to a Gryffendor in need which makes obtaining… difficult. But you children have done lovely. And what better way to establish the house of lions’ horcrux than to kill a Gryffendor?” In one swift option he pulled his wand and pointed it at Remus. Lyla screamed and for one terrible moment I thought he was dead. But then he started yelling and thrashing and sweating, and I knew that it was nothing so merciful. Just as suddenly as it had started, it stopped. “I will need to know who you told about your little theories,” Voldemort said conversationally. “Why not begin with you?” I was terrified he was going to torture Remus again but this time he tucked his hands into his robes and closed his eyes. Remus began breathing heavily and had his face screwed up in pain. How much would Voldemort learn? Would he go after Mel? Narcissa? Our parents? Surely he would stop at nothing. The others may be able to resist him for a while but I wasn’t sure I could. How did one even fight against Occlumency? My thoughts were interrupted by a sudden movement to my right. Regulus was lunging at me- to kill me? But instead he slammed me sideways into Remus, who slammed into Lyla. Before I knew what was happening, he fisted the front of all our robes together in one hand, held the four artifacts tightly in the other, and shouted “Kreature, now!” The house elf shot out one spindly hand towards Regulus’s arm and suddenly the world was spinning out of control.
Remus’s POV
My knees cracked against the stone floor of Dumbledore’s office and I collapsed to the ground. My whole body was screaming, every breath I sucked into my lungs feeling like it was killing me rather than giving me life. My brain felt like it was oozing out of my ears. Voldemort had been inside my mind. I shivered against the cold stone, my robes, damp from the cave, clinging to my skin. I had seen Voldemort. Voldemort had seen me. I gasped. “Remus!” Hands pulled at my robes, ripping them off of me. My bloody, stained button up shirt was yanked off, simply torn down the middle instead of unbuttoned. A thick warm something was thrown over my shoulders. It was scratching and smelled musty, but I pulled it tighter around myself anyways. “Remus! I’m so sorry! I’m so, so sorry!” I managed to pull my head up and found myself staring into Lyla’s eyes. Thank goodness she was safe. I collapsed into her arms in relief. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry,” she kept repeating, rubbing her hands up and down my body in an attempt to warm me up. “Shut up, Lyla. It isn’t your fault,” I assured her, wondering how someone so smart could be so stupid sometimes. I looked up at her, shifting what I could now see as a rug tighter over my shoulders. “My goodness, Brains. You were in quite a hurry to get my clothes off.” I smirked. It was Lyla’s turn to tell me to shut up, but a ghost of a grin flitted across her face. The door to the office banged open and all four of us jumped. Regulus and Iris pressed closer to us and we all huddled there on the floor, Kreature planted in front of us like a guard. Albus Dumbledore looked at us with wide shocked eyes. I belatedly realized I’d never seen the headmaster surprised before and felt a strange sort of victory from accomplishing the foreign task. “I—students?” Dumbledore approached us like we were frightened unicorns about to dart away. I, for one, was in no position to do any darting and found his almost frightened position humorous. I choked out a giggle as his eyes sprang from us huddled in center of the floor to the pile of house artifacts on his desk to the bloody, dirty heap of clothes by the pensieve to Kreature standing on an overturned bowl of lemon tarts to give himself height and finally back to us once more. Regulus looked at me like I was losing my mind, but Lyla snorted, attempting to smother the sound with her hand. The noise ended up sounding something like a pig and I giggled again. “Merlin’s beard! Merlin’s beard,” Lyla whispered. “We are insane.” She laughed a little hunching in on herself. “Well, you certainly are,” Iris said, elbowing her sister and smirking. “Running across a lake of inferni like you were ice skating.” “Hey!” Lyla cried. “I had to keep the cave entrance open with the diadem. It was perfectly reasonable!” Lyla frowned, seeming to realize how unreasonable her words seem. She snorted again. “Oh my goodness,” Regulus sighed, using the hand not wrapped around Iris to cover his face. His shoulder started to shake and he began gasping, sobs ripping out of him with startlingly viciousness. I felt awful for having just been laughing. “Regulus, no,” I said, attempting to get closer to him. “Don’t cry! We’re okay now.” Regulus didn’t answer, instead throwing back his head and cackling. It took me a moment to realized he hadn’t been crying at all, only laughing. I hit his arm. “You idiot!” I cried. “I thought you were having a meltdown or something!” “Can’t you tell that I am?” Regulus said, still cackling like a maniac. Lyla snorted her pig-like snort again sending Iris into a fit of giggles. I snickered at the cacophony of sound the laughing made, and soon the four of us were rolling on the floor of Dumbledore’s office in a heap of howls and tears, chuckling and crying. “Children, please,” Dumbledore looked on the verge of begging. “I implore you to explain.” So we did, taking turns in between fits of laughter and bouts of tears, overlapping and repeating and circling back to wind together our tales into something understandable. By the time we finished I had a stitch in my side and was thoroughly dehydrated. Dumbledore looked like he might keel over. I let out one last sighing chuckle that sent Dumbledore into action. He crossed the room talking to a portrait about ordering a Phoenix around and contacted aurors. He faced us again, face firm yet tinged with a bit of…excitement? Remus couldn’t be sure of much of anything right now. “And these four objects,” Dumbledore gestured to the pile. “They are the ones Voldemort is…how are you saying it? Filled in?” “Just the three. The sword isn’t,” Lyla said cautiously. Dumbledore bent to pick them up. “Wait!” This cry came from all four of us. “What are you doing with them?” Iris asked, narrowing her eyes at the Headmaster. “I will destroy them of course, Miss Zemen,” said Dumbledore placatingly. “As I have with a certain ring and diary. We are so close.” Lyla crossed her arms over her chest. “Then do it. Right here. Right now.” “Miss Zemen, the events that took place today were clearly very harrowing and you need medical attention. Please, allow me to—“ “You are right,” Regulus cut the headmaster off. “What we went through was harrowing. We got the horcruxes. We faced Voldemort. We kept him from getting them back.” Regulus rose to his knees. It wasn’t a begging position like what we’d done in the cave. It was that of a prince being crowned. “We are going to see this through to the end and be sure they are destroyed.” Regulus raised his chin, a motion copied by the sisters. Dumbledore looked at me, his expression unreadable. I didn’t know what he wanted from me. “Go on,” I said. Dumbledore paused and nodded his head, resigned. He picked up the three horcruxes and tossed them into the empty fireplace in the corner of the office. He raised his wand. “Fienfire,” he whispered and the artifacts burst into flames. I jerked backwards into Lyla. I could feel the darkness being ripped and destroyed from inside the object. I could hear screaming and screeching and— The noise stopped as suddenly as it had come. I realized Lyla had her hands over my ears and was hunched protectively over my body. “I’m okay,” I told her. “It’s stopped.” Regulus stood up and approached the fireplace, anticipation and apprehension hunching his frame. “You don’t feel it?” He asked me. “No. It’s gone,” I replied with a sigh of relief. Regulus peered into the ashes of the fireplace. The diadem, cup, and locket sat gleaming among the soot, looking somehow plain and dull. Regulus picked up the locket opening and closing it before reaching for the cup and diadem. These he inspected closely. The sisters and I held our breath, waiting for his verdict. Regulus turned towards us. “He’s not in them. They’ve been destroyed.” I leaned back into Lyla and she held me. I could feel her tears falling from her cheeks onto my neck as she reached for her sister’s hand. “We did it,” Iris sounded almost disbelieving. “We actually did it.” “You did,” Dumbledore said from where he was watching us from the other side of the room. “I will escort you to the Hospital Wing and then join those attacking against Voldemort.” “No,” I said, struggling to my feet with the help of Lyla. “Fight now. The sooner you get to it the less prepared Voldemort will be. We can walk ourselves.” “As you wish, Mr. Lupin.” The four of us awkwardly filed out of the office, half dressed in our uniforms and a rug tossed over our shoulders. Lyla supported me on my left, her other hand still clutching Iris’s. The blonde was brushing shoulders with Regulus, who held on tight to the other end of the rug. Kreature led the way in front of us. Outside, the sounds of the Quidditch match could be heard. How long had we been gone? An hour? Less than an hour? I felt slightly nauseous at the thought, but that could have just been the torture. “Why did you call Voldemort?” Iris asked into the silence as they slowly made their way down a moving staircase. “He was coming anyway,” Regulus responded. “Kreature had just apparated into the cave to tell me.” “Oh,” Lyla frowned. “I had assumed you’d called him.” “No,” Regulus sighed. “I knew Voldemort would kill us when he came, so I thought if I called him first we’d at least have some time. He’d see past my ruse eventually, but at first I’d be able to pretend to be on his side.” “That makes sense,” I said. “I guess I would have done the same—“ I was interrupted by Iris completely throwing herself at Regulus, wrapping him in an enormous hug. Regulus melted into her embrace, and they held each other tightly. Lyla shifted closer to me and turned her body to face mine, a triumphant grin in her face. We edged away from them, giving them as much space as we could while still sharing the rug and stifling giggles. It took a while for us to get moving again, and by then my whole body was one big bruise. When we reached the Hospital Wing we practically fell into the doorway. Madam Pomfrey nearly had a seizure when she saw us, gasping and choking on air. She herded in us like lambs to the bed and bustling around, making us comfortable. While she was in the back room getting potions, we pushed our beds together, snuggling into each other for warmth and comfort. Thankfully, the Matron didn’t argue, only tucked the blankets around us and disappearing the rug after giving it a good, hard glare. Before Pomfrey had even been close to being done with her fussing, Mel, the Marauders, and the Ravenclaw twins burst into the Wing, falling over themselves in astonishment and worry. “Did you really fight Voldemort?” “The match was stopped because we’re in lockdown—” “You look like death! Here let me give you another blanket.” “Are you hurt? Please don’t be hurt!” “What in Merlin’s pants happened?” “Is it true You-Know-Who is defeated?” The voices pounded in my head until Madam Pomfrey told them to be quiet or you’ll have to leave. My eyelids grew heavy weights and I shifted in the bed. Lyla’s head was on top of my arm and she was already fast asleep, breathing softly. I decided I would very much like to join her. I glanced one more time around the room, taking note of our friends huddled in chairs around us, guarding us from evil. We were safe now, perhaps the most we’d ever been. My eyes slipped closed and my consciousness floated away with the knowledge that when I woke up I would be greeted by my family.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
It was quiet by the lake in Cornwall, England whose gentle waves lapped lazily against the rocky shore that market the edge of the tree line. It seemed as though even nature had let out sigh of relief now that the dark cloud of evil that had been hanging low in the sky for years dispersed. Two months ago, in late May, famous Professor Dumbledore had gathered his trusty Order of the Phoenix and loyal auror members and ambushed Voldemort as the dark wizard entered his old home town. The fight was brutal and bloody, and nature had mourned her losses with rain that washed clean the faces of those fighting. It was there Lord Voldemort feel at the hand of Dumbledore, the Eldar Wand casting the fatal curse. He died human. He was not immortal. His soul was not split. His body hit the mud and did not move again. The wizarding world rejoiced, praising those who had bravely fought off the darkness. In a hospital bed at Hogwarts, four students cried with joy, unbothered by their untold stories. The waves on that lake in lower England crested, growing in size as shrieking and laugher danced over the surface. Five canoes appeared from around the bend, tipping and rocking as they sent splashes of water on the occupants. The canoes reached shore and the children piled out, giggling and shoving each other. A boy with shaggy black hair grinned mischievously at his companions as he threw his arms out wide. “Welcome, my friends!” His voiced boomed. “To Camp Cornwall!” Another boy, this one with glasses, pionted majestically at the trees. “Onward to adventure!” He cried. With that, the ten children hoisted the canoes onto their shoulders and set off down the winding path that led dealer into the forest. *** Sirius was giggling like a madman and Remus couldn’t help but grin along with him. James had woken them and Lily up for an early morning hike while leaving the rest of the group back at the campsite. The couple were currently swing their intertwined hands as they crested the top of the hill. Sirius sent Remus a knowing look while the werewolf returned, and they hung back, watching there friends closely. The sun was peaking over the treetops, sending pink and orange beams illuminating the forest. “It’s beautiful,” Lily murmured, leaning in towards James. He looked down at her, demonstrating the definition of heart eyes. “It really is.” Sirius snickered, and Remus hit him, effectively shutting him up. James stepped away from Lily, who tilted her head questioningly. “James, what are you—“ she stopped wide eyed as James dropped to one knee. “Lily Jade Evans,” James paused, hand swiping under his glasses before reaching to his back pocket. “You are the most loving, kind, generous person that I have ever met. I have loved you since the first time I spoke to you. You challenge me and orient me. You encourage me and give me purpose. You…I just adore you. I think I always have and I know it always will.” James pulled back the lid of the little box to reveal Euphemia Potter’s wedding ring. “Will you,” James sniffed, the picture of adoration as he knelt lovingly at Lily’s feet. “make me the happiest man who ever lived and become my wife?” Lily was sobbing, her body quivering with joy. “Yes!” She bobbed her head up and down. “Yes, James! Yes. I will be your wife!” James threw himself at her, picking her up and spinning her around and around. He was sobbing when he stopped, setting her down only to collapse onto his knees again, this time with Lily right beside him. “I love you, I love you, James,” she murmured into his ear, holding his face in her hands and wiping away his tears. “So much. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Grinning and crying and looking like the happiest person on the plant, James Potter slipped the ring onto Lily’s finger. Sirius whooped, his eyes as wet as the couple and ran towards them, Remus hot on his heels. The teens collided into each other becoming a pile of hugs and kisses and laughter and tears and every good feeling in the world. They were family. They had been since the first day at Hogwarts, that first trainride. Maybe they always had been, simply waiting in anticipation to meet before they ever knew they even would. They had lived together, and they had loved together. They’d experience unimaginable heartbreak and indescribable joy, and through it all they had remained family. Brothers. Sisters. Soulmates. Sometimes in life you meet someone who is simply radiant, and they change everything. Your perspective of the world, the way you see yourself, your interactions with others all irrevocably altered because of this one incredible person. You have to keep your eyes and heart open for them. They’ll find you just the way you will find them. In the meantime, be kind and brave, be loyal and wise, be discerning and hopeful. You never know who that remarkable person will be, and you never know the true depth of those around you. It will be hard, and it will be tiring. You will get frustrated and sad. But you will also find something. Something worth fight for.