September 20, 1973
Over the course of second year, and the beginning of third year, Raina had become friends with James, Sirius, and Peter.
As much as Lily hated them, and - Raina had to admit - how annoying they could be sometimes, they weren't too bad.
But they seemed to be looking at Raina weirdly lately.
They were asking her more questions about her mum's "illness" as well.
"What does your mum have again?", James had asked, eyeing her carefully.
Masking her internal panic, Raina sighed.
"Th-they don't really know", she said, avoiding their eyes, "the Muggle doctor is trying to help her."
They seemed satisfied with that explanation.
For now.
She knew that they were suspicious. How could they not be?
Raina's worst fear was realized when they told her to meet them in an empty classroom after breakfast one day.
She met them, and they told her what she had been afraid of hearing since her first year.
"We know."
Sirius was the one who said it. And, although she had known him for almost three years and knew that he wasn't like his family, she felt a bit uneasy about him saying it.
Did he subconsciously share his family's beliefs?
"Raina?", James said worriedly.
"Are you going to tell anyone?", she asked quietly, looking at the floor.
"Why would we do that?", Sirius asked, genuinely confused.
"I-I'm dangerous - I could hurt you."
"You haven't yet", Peter chimed in, "You've had quite a few opportunities to try."
Raina nodded.
"You're still you, Raina", Sirius said, looking at her intensely.
Raina looked at the floor again, her mind racing.
They weren't going to tell anyone?
Everything her parents had always told her was just proven wrong.
Raina, dear, you can't tell anyone about your condition. They won't accept you when they find out. Not everyone, love, but quite a few.
Maybe not everyone would accept her.
But James, Sirius, and Peter did.
Raina had to admit, these boys weren't too bad.
"So, now that that's out of the way…", Sirius began.
Raina rolled her eyes as the three of them talked about their next prank.
"Raina, are you in?", James asked, smirking at her with raised eyebrows.
She sighed.
"Fine, but if we get caught..."