Despite protests from the Potters, Huda returned to stay at her home with Brownie. James and Sirius followed her which the Potters also disapproved of but nothing much could be done when their son was the apple of their eye and they could not bear to lose him. Instead, the trio threw themselves into Animagi research, aided on by Mohamed Shafiq's extensive book collection. As predicted by Huda, the process was going to be long and grueling.
"A Mandrake leaf? For a month" James shuddered at the sound of that.
"From full moon to full moon to be exact" Huda clarified before turning a page in her Transfiguration text.
"A silver teaspoon of dew that neither sunlight nor human feet have touched?" Sirius read from the text.
"And an electrical storm? Who comes up with this malarkey?"
Huda chuckled. It did sound quite barmy but they were wizards after all. Nothing was impossible in the magical world. All of this sounded all too exciting to Huda, who welcomed this project as a distraction from her thoughts about her father. A week had passed by but there was still neither hide nor hair of him despite the Order's efforts to trace him. Huda had resumed her normal routine and still wrote to Carrow and Macnair as if nothing had gone wrong. It killed her to lie to her friends but Fleamont had pointed out the chances that her owls and letters may have been intercepted were quite high.
"We can always steal Mandrake leaves from Herbology and the dew is manageable but where in the world are we going to predict when the next electric storm was going to come?" James looked about ready to give up.
"We have to try. We have to do right by Remus" Sirius stated and Huda nodded in agreement.
Lucky for them, Huda's father had Mandrake leaves in his Potions cupboard which allowed them to experiment with holding the Mandrake leaves in their mouths. They had left three crystal phials on the guest bedroom window for it to be bathed in the light of the moon. This task was exceedingly arduous because Mandrake leaves itself were sour and seemingly made all of their taste buds disappear. They began the night of the full moon of July.
James was the first to accidently swallow the leaf within a week, succeeding in giving himself a bad case of poisoning which confined him to his bed with a fever. Sirius and Huda kept going but Sirius gave in when he was hit in the face with a Quaffle during their Quidditch games and he spat out both the leaf and blood from a chipped tooth. Huda stubbornly kept going but felt her resolve wavering until they were left with one week to the full moon. Her mood was steadily getting worse since she felt like she could no longer eat anything without puking or feeling nauseous.
She finally spat out the leaf on the morning after the full moon into the crystal phial and the boys made noises of disgust as they stared at the congealed black leaf covered in her saliva. She closed the phial after adding a strand of her hair and immediately drank an entire bottle of water as if trying to wash out the taste in her mouth. Both boys congratulated her and placed their own Mandrake leaves in their mouths, gasping as the taste took over.
"Where will you find the dew drop?" Sirius asked.
"We'll have to wait until we get back to Hogwarts" James replied. He was right. They didn't have a way of predicting the electric storm so it was best to get over the process of the Mandrake leaf over with while they were still at home. Huda tucked her crystal phial in her trunk and closed it shut.
Remus was also due to arrive in a couple of days so they all needed to do away with all their books and any information that could tip the werewolf off. James waited until Huda excused herself to take a shower and rounded on Sirius. He had been waiting for a chance for them to be alone so he could finally confront his friend on the situation.
"What is going on with you and her?"
Sirius glanced up at his best friend. "What about me and her?".
"Don't act daft. You've been sneaking out of our room some nights and I'm sure it's not for a midnight snack" James's eyes were ablaze with annoyance.
"Fine, fine, you've caught me" Sirius held his hands up in surrender.
"So?"
"We have….an arrangement" Sirius began.
"An arrangement for what? And for how long?"
Sirius rolled his eyes but it wasn't him who answered James's question. "We had sex in the Malfoy Manor bushes at the Christmas Party last year. And it's been going on ever since" Huda seated herself on the floor casually, as if she had been talking about the weather.
"So you're dating?" James asked, looking even more confused.
"Somewhat" Huda replied, causing Sirius to glance over at her in confusion.
"What does that even mean?"
"I don't know" Both Huda and Sirius chimed together making James roll his eyes.
Remus arrived and created a welcome distraction for Huda since James and Sirius mostly stuck with him for the most part. Instead, she spent her time reading and gearing up for NEWT level. The blood wards were still up but Huda worried for Brownie when the time came for Huda to depart from Hogwarts. Brownie had assured that she would be safe but Huda was determined to find a loophole in keeping up the blood wards.
Her trip to Diagon Alley was miserable since a lot of the shops were closed and most people did not linger for conversation. The weather seemed to match the surroundings as instead of sunshine, stormy clouds were gathering and the cold breeze made many finish their shopping as quickly as possible. Huda shivered as she entered the Leaky Cauldron, spotting Macnair and Carrow at a table in the corner. She couldn't help but notice Amycus and Alecto Carrow seated together a couple of tables away and they glowered at her as she passed to take a seat with her friends.
"Norma's been pushing for a betrothal" Macnair moaned the minute Huda took her seat.
"Already? You aren't even sixteen yet" Huda replied, before taking a sip of her warm Butterbeer.
"She just turned sixteen and her parents are looking for potential matches" Macnair explained, shoving his fork rather viciously into his shepherd's pie.
"What are your siblings doing here?" Huda asked and Carrow sighed.
"They've been told to keep an eye on me by my parents".
Huda squashed the instinct to turn around and glare at the twins. They'd always been bullies, especially to muggleborns which Huda never tolerated. She then remembered Sirius telling her that the twins had accepted the Dark Lord's invitation for being Death Eaters. She suppressed a shudder and turned to face Carrow who gave her a subtle nod, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking. Macnair continued eating oblivious to the silent conversation happening.
"I feel as if my father has decided to run away" Huda dropped the subject and noticed Amycus immediately perking up at the corner of her eye.
"What makes you say that?" Macnair asked, swallowing a forkful of mashed potatoes.
"He still hasn't come home" Huda elaborated, her eyes on Edgar whose eyes were on his siblings.
"Still? That's rather strange" Edgar interjected, glancing down at her.
"He's probably run away since the war is getting too bleak and he's always been a bloody coward" Huda spat.
"That's a shame. The Dark Lord could have used his skill set" Macnair commented.
"The Dark Lord deserves better than some coward" Carrow agreed, his eyes darting up to his siblings.
"I've begun to miss him. Rather pathetic of me, isn't it?" Huda simpered
"Your worth is more than him, Huda" Macnair unknowingly egged the conversation on.
She smiled at Macnair and moved the conversation to Quidditch and NEWT levels which Edgar took over by complaining that his Potions OWL was a disaster. They began debating on the odds of Anjali Sharma being Head Girl when a throat clearing caused them to glance up. Amycus Carrow made an intimidating figure with his sallow skin and gelled back black hair. Huda cocked a brow when he smirked at all of them before speaking.
"We must be on our way, Edgar. Be home before 5"
With that, the twins walked through the Leaky Cauldron back entrance presumably to go to Diagon Alley. Huda's heart pounded as she faced Edgar who had a frown on his face. Macnair seemed to have missed the exchange between them again and stood up to go to the loo. Huda glanced around to check if anyone was listening in before leaning in to whisper to Edgar.
"I think my father's been taken by the Dark Lord"
Edgar's eyes widened at this. "How are you so sure?" he whispered back.
"Regulus told me his parents were discussing it a while back. My father hasn't come home since then" Huda omitted Sirius's name out. What Edgar didn't know wouldn't hurt him.
"That's why you brought it up. You think the twins know something?" Edgar's eyes darting towards the loo, checking to see if Macnair would be coming through.
"If he's dead or not, I have a right to know" Huda hissed.
"But they left. What are they up to now?" Edgar leaned back just as the door to the loo opened and Huda took a sip of her butterbeer casually.
"Norma should be done getting her school robes by now. I promised her I'd escort her home" Macnair placed a Galleon on the table and departed quickly. Huda breathed a sigh of relief as he left and leaned in again to whisper to Edgar.
"We have to find my father"
"We can't just waltz up to Lucius Malfoy and ask him!" Edgar exclaimed.
"There has to be a way" Huda pushed her plate of food away in frustration.
Both were lost in their thoughts when Edgar suddenly sat up, his eyes on someone behind Huda. Huda turned around and froze when she spotted Lucius, Bellatrix and Narcissa. She turned back around and Edgar ducked his head to take a bite of his food. Bellatrix stopped right at their table and Huda felt a hand stroke the top of her head.
"Enjoying your date?" Bellatrix simpered.
"We shouldn't interrupt them, sister" Narcissa's voice, unlike Bellatrix's, was stern.
"I agree, love" Lucius's voice was quiet but commanding.
"You're welcome to join us" Edgar offered, ignoring Huda's glare.
"I should have brought Rodolphus with me then!" Bellatrix cackled and Huda winced as she felt the sharp fingernails on her scalp.
"She's being rather silent today" Narcissa peered down at Huda critically.
"What's wrong, Shafiq?" Bellatrix pulled at Huda's hair, forcing her to look up at them.
"Lost your fire already?" Narcissa smirked victoriously.
"Daddy's not around to protect his precious little princess" Bellatrix let out another cackle.
Huda felt like screaming at them. This was enough proof that the Dark Lord was behind her father's disappearance.
"We should go" Lucius interjected and Bellatrix frowned before letting go of Huda. She collected herself before they disappeared out through the back door into Diagon Alley.
"They definitely have done something but they're not telling me" Huda commented watching the three disappear.
"Just let it go. They want to flare you up again so they have an excuse to get rid of you too" Edgar replied before taking the last sip of his Butterbeer.
She returned home with her mind swirling with different thoughts. She was nowhere near close to solving the mystery of her father's disappearance but seeing as how the Death Eaters had begun dropping hints, she was now sure that they had something to do with it. She immediately informed the Potters who set up a meeting with Dumbledore immediately. That night, Dumbledore came to the Potters residence for dinner.
"It seems that Voldemort desperately wants you on his side" Dumbledore peered at her with intrigue and Huda fidgeted uncomfortably under his gaze. "Causing your father's disappearance would have the effect that he desires the most".
"To make you join as a Death Eater in order to keep your father safe. It's all a tactic" Fleamont interjected.
"And what if he's…. dead" Huda found that word incredibly hard to say.
"We are still looking for him but it seems that the chances of him actually being alive are looking quite bleak" Dumbledore replied. Huda felt James place his arm around her shoulder while Sirius took her hand. Her mind was blank and Euphemia handed her a handkerchief to wipe the tears which were rolling down her face.
"We have one of two options. You can enter the Ministry of Magic and declare your father missing" Dumbledore continued talking. "Or you can move on and disown him as part of the family in the pureblood registry".
"But if she disowns him, the Shafiq family tree will end. She will have no claim on his estate and the inheritance left to her" Fleamont argued.
"Declaring your father missing is a better option" Euphemia agreed and Huda nodded.
"Once he is declared missing, all of the inheritance will transfer to you automatically. You may do as you wish with it" Dumbledore explained and Huda reached over to read the documents on the table in front of them.
"And the blood wards?" Fleamont asked.
"It will remain just as it is now" Dumbledore replied.
"And if I go to Hogwarts? What will protect my home?" Huda asked, signing off on the missing person's report.
"I believe the house elf cares a great deal for you, Miss Shafiq" Dumbledore commented and Brownie smiled at her mistress. Huda reached out and took her hand, holding on tightly. "As long as she remains in this home, you will have nothing to worry about".
"Love is a magic many have failed to understand" Fleamont agreed glancing over at his wife who blushed pink.
"Thank you, Headmaster" Huda bowed her head and Dumbledore stood up.
"We should meet once we are back at Hogwarts, Ms. Shafiq" Dumbledore commented lightly.
"What for, sir?" Huda asked.
"It's not every day that a student receives Outstanding's in all twelve OWLs, Ms. Shafiq" Dumbledore Disapparated with a quiet pop and the three boys in the room erupted into a cheer loud enough to wake the dead. Huda grinned as she realised she had just received the best scores for her OWLs, better than any student within the past two decades. She laughed joyously and Fleamont immediately popped open a bottle of Firewhiskey to celebrate.
"To the future Head Healer of St. Mungo's!" James crowed, holding his glass up high.
"Cheers!" Huda clinked her glasses with all of them before taking a sip of Firewhiskey.
"We're so proud of you" Euphemia wiped at her the tears in her eyes and Huda felt her heart swell with love for the dear woman.
The couple were quick to retire to their beds and left them to continue the celebration. James had already broken out the chocolate cake and ice cream, courtesy of the lovely Potter house elf, Odell. The Firewhiskey had long been emptied from its bottle and they were now seated in front of the warm fire in the living room. Huda and Remus leaned on each other watching James and Sirius attempting to feed each other cake. The radio played music in the background and Huda swayed to the slow but catchy song.
"Let's play truth or dare!" James dragged the empty bottle over, despite everyone's groans and protests. He spun the bottle and it landed right on Remus who sighed before choosing truth.
"Do you actually have feelings for a bird?" James asked and Remus flushed immediately causing Huda to burst into drunken laughter.
"Bet you it's Alice Longbottom. Someone caught Frank in a broom cupboard and said she had a nice set of knockers" Sirius guffawed.
"It's not Alice!" Remus flushed even more as Huda and Sirius continued hooting with laughter.
"Then who is it?" James asked chortling.
"I choose dare!"
"I dare you to sit here on your pants for the rest of the game!" Sirius roared before bursting into peals of laughter.
Remus protested at this but gingerly took off his clothes until he was left in his underpants. Huda giggled at his embarrassed face but he reached over to spin the bottle again. It landed on Sirius who tried to shuffle backwards away from the bottle. Huda chuckled at this and asked truth or dare. Sirius sighed and replied truth. James immediately jumped into the game.
"Do you have feelings for Huda or not?" Huda froze and watched Sirius as his eyes darted around the room, trying to look everywhere but not at her. Sirius exhaled heavily and Huda looked down on the floor, unaware of Remus's eyes on her.
"I do" Sirius replied and Huda nodded to herself, her gaze locked on the carpet.
"I think you two need to talk this out" James stood up and yawned. Remus stood up and followed James out leaving them alone. Sirius shuffled forward and sat opposite her.
"Please look at me"
Huda looked up and felt her heart lurch at the devastated look on his face. He looked like someone who had completely lost hope and she reached up to take his face in her hands. He closed his eyes and she spotted a tear falling from his right eye. She brushed it away with her thumb and stroked his cheek as he began calming down.
"Why do you panic so much, Sirius?" she asked, still stroking his cheek.
He shuddered before continuing to take deep breaths and Huda smiled sadly at the shell of a boy that sat before her. He was bearing a toll that he wasn't meant to bear. They all were. They were all meant to be children enjoying their years of childhood and adolescence without a care in the world. But yet here they were, being prepared to watch a war happen right before their eyes. Death, torture, coercion, treason, and fear lurked behind every corner, especially for those like Sirius and Huda who did not agree with the war but yet were helpless to watch it grow in their own homes.
"My mother hated all this bigotry and prejudice that surrounds us. She raised me to see everyone as equal and my father never protested but never spoke out on it as well. I suppose that was his way of protecting us" Huda let out a cruel laugh before continuing. "Fat lot that did for us. My mother and brother are both dead and my father is missing while I have no idea what stance I want to take in this war".
"My mother wants me to join the Dark Lord" Sirius began. "She wants me to redeem myself since I've been sorted into Gryffindor. I used to rebel before. I used to mouth off at her pureblood prejudiced nonsense and she would hex me for it. I'm quieter now but Regulus hangs onto her every word. Like a dog".
"Would you join the Order if Dumbledore asked you?" Huda asked.
"I would. I want to fight. I don't care what my parents say" Sirius did not hesitate when replying.
"You are brave, Sirius"
"Gryffindor, where dwell the brave of heart" Sirius smiled and Huda leaned up to drop a kiss on his forehead.
"What does that mean for us?" Sirius asked hesitantly.
"I care for you, Sirius" there, she said it. "But I don't want to lose you to this. I've lost my family to this war" she could feel the tears welling up in her eyes.
"You won't lose me, Huda. I promise you that" he wiped away her tears before pulling her to his chest and wrapping his arms around her tightly. Huda held onto him, ignoring the bottle of Firewhiskey which she had kicked out of the way. It clattered across the wooden floor and came to a stop at the edge of the fireplace. Upstairs, Remus turned to the other side of the bed. He wouldn't be able to sleep a wink tonight.
Despite all that was going on within the wizarding world, Huda beamed with pride as she saw Regulus Black soar through the air during the first Quidditch match of her sixth year. They had quite an unlucky draw with Ravenclaw in their first match. She spotted Sirius in the crowd cheering loudly as the Ravenclaw Quidditch Captain Serafina Crouch called a time out. Macnair had shot a well-aimed Bludger straight for one of Ravenclaw team Chasers causing her to be knocked off her broom and straight down to the pitch below. It was true Slytherins played dirty but Huda would rather have the game continue this way.
"Any closer to the Snitch?" she asked the minute Regulus landed next to her.
"I'm trying my hardest but it still being difficult to spot" the younger Black brother replied and Huda sighed. The abnormally bright sun didn't help much except blinding them so it wasn't a surprise that Regulus's vision was hindered. The score was 60-50 with Slytherin in the lead.
"If Crouch gets this one up on us, I won't be hearing the end of it" Huda muttered and Macnair spat on the ground in disgust.
"We'll get them, Captain" Regulus assured her before mounting on his broom. Huda nodded and flew up to her spot at the hoops. Her performance had been quite mediocre today but she still wouldn't let Crouch take a point above her. The irony that both captains were Keepers which kept them far away from each other but Huda did not put it past Crouch to do something sneaky.
An hour later the score was 100-80 with both captains defending as hard as they could. Madame Hooch called a time out and the teams huddled back down at their sides of the pitch. Huda was beyond frustrated at this point and Regulus seemed downtrodden. It was his first match and his performance would make or break his reputation in Slytherin House. Huda glanced out at the crowd and her eyes narrowed at Lily Evans who was seated in the row in front of the Marauders. She had a pair of goggles on in a strange black color. In fact, she didn't seem perturbed by the sun at all!
Huda quickly took off her goggles and noticed how they were clear and let the light through. An idea conjured in her mind as she charmed the color onto the glass. She tried them on and smiled when she saw that it provided some respite from the sun. She quickly tapped her wand on all the goggles that they were wearing, causing some protests and then noises of approval as they tested them out.
"Now let's go and win this" Huda cheered on her team as they flew through the air. She smirked at Crouch before taking her spot at the hoops. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Regulus looking frantically for the Snitch. She narrowly dodged a Bludger and caught the Quaffle in her hands. All the way across the field, Crouch glared at her and Huda smiled before throwing the Quaffle back into the game.
A cheer erupted from one corner of the pitch as Regulus threw himself off the broom and grabbed the Snitch before tumbling onto the sandy pitch. Madame Hooch whistled and Huda sighed in relief as she flew down to the bottom of the goal hoops, feeling strangely drained. She leaned against the hoop, feeling weak and leaned her head against the pole. She could feel footsteps running towards her and there was a shout before she felt something hit her head harshly and everything went black.