First of all, I'd just like to apologise multiple times for not updating this story in years! I totally forgot about it, and I was reminded when one of you lovely people kindly favourited and started following this story. Thank you for reminding me about Mira, I've missed writing about her dearly and I hope this chapter meets your standards. I will be uploading a couple of chapters tonight, so please let me know what you think- and if it goes down well, I will try to finish it for you. Again, I'm sorry for leaving it so long! x
Mira wondered down the corridor from the Great Hall slowly, fiddling with the sleeve of her robe, not really paying any attention to where she was walking- she couldn't take in what Sirius had just told her. She knew Regulus had chosen a different path to herself and Sirius, but this… this sealed the deal. The fact that he had made things official by branding himself with such a horrific mark made it all seem so real. She swallowed a lump in her throat at the thought, wanting it to be a lie. She wanted Regulus to come up to her and laugh at her, telling her it was all a bit joke and she was silly for believing it. Because she was his twin sister, and he loved her too much to abandon her like this. But Mira was old enough to know it wouldn't work out like that, not the way she believed it would when she was a child and her parents were already trying to drum dark, evil things into her.
*FLASHBACK*
Tears streamed down the little girls face as she looked up at her mother, trembling. She wished her older brother was here. "Mummy please, I'm sorry it was an accident"
"You call this an accident? You disgusting, filthy little girl, you're six years old and you're still wetting the bed!"
"I didn't mean to!" The little girl sobbed, frightened, "Bad dream—"
"Oh, we had a bad dream did we?" Walburga Black mocked, waving her arms around. This movement made the girl flinch. "Poor little Mira Black!"
Where was Sirius? He'd have saved her by now, he always did. But he was out playing with Regulus. "Mummy I didn't mean to—"
Walburga grabbed the sheet and rubbed it in Mira's face, making her cry out and scream, "Maybe you'll think before you wet the bed like a vile animal next time!"
*FLASHBACK OVER*
Mira's thoughts were interrupted as she collided with someone, tall, dark and… uh oh, Slytherin. She peered up at him, flashing him the best scowl she could muster. Mira Black wasn't afraid of anybody. Well, Mira Black never /admitted/ she was afraid of anybody. The Slytherin in question, Lewis Flint, smirked and folded his arms, "Well well well, if it isn't Gryffindors biggest blood traitor- aside from your pathetic brother, of course."
Mira gave him a cold, hard look, "Well well well, if it isn't Slytherin's biggest brown nose- I'm surprised you managed to get your head out Malfoys arse long enough to talk to me.."
His fists clenched, and he took a step forwards so he was right in her face. "I dare you to say that again, you little b—"
"That's enough." A voice barked from behind. Remus had been on his way to meet Mira for their patrol, and felt a surge of anger race through his veins at the sight before him. He had always stuck up for Mira, being Sirius' little sister. It was sort of one of the Marauder's codes enforced by Sirius, but Remus felt particularly protective today. Perhaps it was because the full moon was merely days away.
"Didn't know the nerd could talk- normally the other two idiots do the fighting for you. Oh wait, they're not /here/." Flint sighed loudly, and mockingly. Remus clenched his fits, getting wound up, "C'mon Mira, let's go…"
Flint laughed loudly, "Getting cosy with the blood traitor, are we? I'm sure her brother will /love/ that…"
Mira went to hit Flint, but Remus held her back. "He's not worth it." He said quietly in her ear. Mira glared at Flint, but reluctantly turned to follow Remus.
"YOU DESERVE EACH OTHER!" Flint called after the pair, and Remus rolled his eyes. "What're you doing, picking fights with Lewis Flint of all people?"
Mira stared at him in disbelief, "I didn't! He walked into me, he was in my way, he—"
"Calm down! Hey-hey what's wrong?" His voice softened and he stopped to look at her properly, only now noticing she looked… different. The spark in her eye had gone, and it was as if all the fight in her had vanished too. She looked sad, genuinely sad. Remus had never seen her looking like that- or perhaps he had never noticed. Either way, he didn't like it one bit. It was an unnatural look on someone like Mira, who usually wore a smile or a cheeky grin.
She looked him in the eyes, her walls coming down for a moment- but she looked away quickly, shrugging, "Nothing really I just… rough day."
Remus paused, but decided to push it no further. He knew he felt exactly the same way sometimes, and it was usually after full moon. He knew his friends meant well, but they asked a lot of questions… Most of the time, he wished they'd change the subject so he felt /normal/ for just a moment. He began walking again, and she followed, "I understand. You're probably not in the mood for spending two hours with me after a rough day." He teased, offering her a crooked grin.
Mira glanced over at him, her heart skipping a beat at that smile. For a moment, she forgot he was one of her brothers best friends, and let herself smile back without feeling guilty. Remus really was a sweet guy, with a dorky and incredibly cute smile. She finally pushed that thought out of her mind, and looked straight ahead again, "No, it's a relief actually. I feel like you're the only one with sense at the moment.
This made Remus chuckle, amused, "Considering who my friends are, I'll take that as a great compliment. James is out with Lily tonight, first date."
"I still can't believe it's actually happening. Although, Lily's definitely had a thing for James for a while now…"
Remus blinked at her, "Why didn't you say?"
"You think it was easy getting Lily to even /admit/ it?"
"Touche."
Mira and Remus were still walking around four hours later, in stitches of laughter when they were interrupted by Professor McGonagall, who did /not/ look amused. She folded her arms, eyes furious. "What on earth are you two doing up at this hour?" Mira stared at her as if she were mad, "W-we're on patrols tonight Miss—"
"Which ended /two hours ago/. Just because you're prefects, does not mean you can wonder the grounds at ungodly hours! You woke me up and I won't be surprised if your noise woke half the castle up- detention, both of you. And 50 points from Gryffindor- /each/! You need to start taking your responsibilities more seriously before Professor Dumbledore considers revoking them. Now off you go, bed- now." She scolded strictly, before turning and stalking back to her door. She paused, and looked back, "And don't think I won't be checking up on you in ten minutes time." And with that, she opened her door and slammed it shut again. Mira swallowed hard, admittedly a little afraid of Minerva McGonagall. Remus looked equally as shaken.
"Bloody hell, are we really two hours late off rounds?"
Mira checked her watch, and nodded, "I didn't even notice the time… we'd better head back."
"I'm sorry- I've been prefect for a few years now, I should've kept an eye on the time…" Remus trailed off guiltily, and Mira grinned, "Don't be wet, Remus- we both messed up. It's only detention."
"And 100 house points…"
"C'mon, whatever happens- we'll always beat Hufflepuff."
Remus grinned at that, and shook his head, "You're so bad…"
Mira flashed him a flirty smirk in response, which made the blood rush to Remus' cheeks very quickly. Oh Merlin.
They finally reached the Gryffindor common room, where Remus turned to face Mira. For the first time all night he felt awkward, and quite shy. Well, for the first time /ever/ when it came to Mira. She had always been a friend, Sirius' little sister, and just, well, /Mira/. Why did he suddenly care that he probably looked very scruffy and unshaven? He offered her his crooked smile, and gave her an awkward little wave, "Well, g'night."
Mira watched him, amused, and grinned- oh bless. She didn't know why she did what she did next. But she grabbed hold of his waving hand, and pulled him close to her. She gazed up at him for what felt like the longest second in the world, and then hugged him, "G'night Remus". She stepped around him, turned to give him one last, shy smile, and jogged up the stairs to her dormitory.
Remus swallowed hard, watching her go.
He was in trouble now.