Huda noticed many students giving her a wide berth, mainly the remaining three Houses, as she walked down the hallway towards her NEWT Advanced Potions class. Whether it was because she was Head Girl or whether people had actually begun to fear her, she didn't care as she took a seat right next to the door and mounted her cauldron, ready for it to be heated by the fire. To her surprise, Gideon Prewett sat down right next to her despite there being only five other students in the class. To her relief, there were no other Slytherins in this class and Slughorn assigned them the Draught of Peace and ignored them for the rest of the class.

"Alright, Shafiq?" Gideon muttered as they lit their fires and organized their ingredients.

"You have balls, Prewett, I'll give you that" Huda commented, adding her powdered moonstone and allowing the potion to be stirred.

"Why so? Because I decided to sit willingly next to the pureblood princess?" Gideon teased. He hissed as his potion bubbled due to the cauldron being too hot, and quickly lowered the fire. Huda chuckled as her potion turned turquoise blue and added the remaining of her moonstone. She lowered the heat and turned to help out Gideon with his potion.

"Damn, they were joking when they said you were a genius" Gideon commented as they sat down to wait for their potions to simmer and turn pink. Huda, in the meantime, began crushing the unicorn horn finely and preparing a small tumbler with the syrup of hellebore. Gideon followed her actions and as soon as the potion turned pink, they added the syrup of hellebore.

"Do you not refer to the textbook at all?" Gideon asked and Huda shrugged. She had the potion memorized since fifth year and she explained much of the same to Gideon who let out a low whistle of admiration.

"I honestly forgot everything after OWLs. Fabian likes Potions more to be fair. This is actually his class but he hates to attend it" Gideon explained.

"So you're replacing him in this class and where is he?" Huda asked in surprise.

"It's my free period right now. We've been switching classes since fifth year and no one's noticed yet. I'd rather be here to be honest" Gideon replied with a small smile.

"Why?" Huda asked.

"I wanted to see you again" Gideon sent her a rather subtle wink and Huda fought the blush that was threatening to take over her face. It wasn't as if Gideon was ugly, he was very handsome and many girls would be itching to be in her position right now. She didn't reply, opting for checking on her potion which was almost completed. They bottled their potions and submitted them to Slughorn. Huda had a free period next while Gideon had to go to Advanced Transfiguration.

"See you tonight, Shafiq" Gideon winked as the double meaning of his words made Huda flush. Even if they were meeting up for patrol, she couldn't help but think of something else. She turned to go back to the common room and froze when she saw fifth year Gryffindors and Ravenclaws waiting outside for their own Potions class. There was no doubt in her mind that Sirius and James had heard Gideon's words, being right next to the door. Sirius was looking positively murderous while James had a rather surprised look on his face. Huda ignored them both and walked off, her robes billowing behind her dramatically.

That night, she ignored the glares she was getting from the Gryffindor table, mainly from Sirius. Of course, the Slytherins around her noticed and were ready to hex him but Huda managed to control them by saying it was the first day back and they could not afford to grab detentions and other punishments that easily. Regulus found it absolutely horrendous that his brother was being so insolent towards the Head Girl but Huda whispered that it was okay. She waited for Gideon on the second floor near the DADA office and he popped up right on time.

"So I was thinking we patrol together? Safety in numbers and all that?" Gideon winked at her and Huda nodded with an internal giggle.

They started at the Entrance Hall going up. On the first floor, they caught two Ravenclaw students cuddled up together in the History of Magic classroom and Gideon allowed Huda to dole out punishments as a learning experience. She docked off ten points off each of the students and they scarpered off back to their common rooms.

"Honestly, they're in the same house. They might as well cuddle in the common room" Gideon commented as he closed the door of the classroom.

"They could be cheating on each other" Huda replied and Gideon let out a laugh.

"Maybe but since that's Armando Jenkins and Carla Oswald, I highly doubt it. Those two have been joined to the hip since they entered Hogwarts".

"Exhibitionists then" Huda dismissed and Gideon let out another laugh.

"Damn that's a good one. I like you, Shafiq. You're hilarious" he tugged at a lock of her now shoulder length black hair and raced up the stairs before she could swipe at him. Huda chased up after him but the staircase began to move off and dropped her off at the third floor. Gideon's laugh echoed up to her and she glowered down at him.

"You do second floor, I'll do third. See you on fourth!" Huda flounced off ignoring his calls to wait. She thoroughly checked each alcove and classroom before ascending up to the fourth floor. The library was already closed and there were no classrooms on this floor for students to hide in. Gideon joined her and Huda ignored his glances in favor of climbing up to the fifth floor.

"So I wanted to ask you something but I don't really know if it's appropriate to ask" Gideon began and Huda waved her hand, gesturing for him to go ahead.

"Are you dating anyone? I mean everyone knows about you and Lucius Malfoy but I'm assuming that's over now. But you could even be his actual lover and marrying Narcissa is just a front but I don't think you are someone like that and I really think that's rather cheap and shitty of him to keep you on the side and marry that woman-MMPF!" Huda had no choice but to silence Gideon, placing a hand over his mouth, before he rambled himself to death.

"I was dating Lucius Malfoy and I was dating someone else after that but it was just a rebound thing. So currently yes I am single" Huda replied.

"I know it's a bit rushed and you probably want to think twice about it and you don't really know me that well but I've admired you since fifth year when you demonstrated your corporeal Patronus in front of everyone". Huda remembered that day clearly. It had shocked everyone including herself that her Patronus was a grey owl which had fluttered around the entire classroom before vanishing.

"It represents focus, intelligence and marching to the beat of your own drum. I like how you're not like the rest of the Slytherins. You don't bully or go after blood traitors and muggleborns. You don't act like they are below you. You represent what is good about being a Slytherin. Determined, crafty and clever without being a dick about it" Gideon explained.

"That's the nicest thing I've heard about myself coming from a Gryffindor" Huda muttered, fighting the urge to blush.

"It's true. So I know it's early to ask but will you go to Hogsmeade with me? The next one that's coming up?" Gideon asked, looking a little red in the face.

"Do I have the option to back out if I don't like you? We do have patrols scheduled and Hogsmeade weekend is three weeks from now" Huda smirked as he scrambled with this dilemma.

"Yeah, sure. But I'm sure you won't say no" Gideon smiled and Huda was struck by just how handsome the redhead actually was.

They continued their patrol, catching students and sending them off to their common rooms. Finally, they reached the Astronomy Tower. Huda walked out onto the balcony and looked out at the grounds. It was an utterly peaceful space and she was disappointed that she hadn't discovered this spot from before. Gideon cleared his throat behind her and she turned around only to find him rather close to her. She looked up at him and he stared down at her with an uncharacteristically serious look on his face.

A tapping noise made them both alert and Gideon turned around, his blue eyes dancing around the area, trying to find the source of the noise. Huda quickly casted a revealing spell but there was no one there. "Must have been a ghost or Peeves just messing with us" she reassured Gideon who was standing at alert, his stance rigid.

"I don't know about you Shafiq, but during these times, it's better to be safe than sorry" Gideon replied and Huda nodded in agreement. She knew better than anyone that she couldn't trust anyone during these times, whether it be friend or foe. They were silent as they descended down the stairs, still checking every nook and cranny for anything suspicious. They stopped at the fourth floor corridor and Huda motioned for Gideon to go ahead to take the shortcut to Gryffindor Tower.

"Are you sure? I can walk you down to the Slytherin common room" Gideon's face held a look of concern as Huda shook her head adamantly.

"I'll be fine" she replied.

The castle corridors were rather eerie at this time of night. After the incident earlier, Huda felt even more shaky as she descended further and further down to the Entrance Hall. The torches that usually would be lit were now dimmed, the hall darkened and Huda jumped when she heard a hissing noise around her. She was relieved to find Mrs. Norris, Filch's cat, glowering at her spot on the banister.

"I'm going, you stupid cat" Huda muttered turning to make her way down to the dungeons.

She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the familiar stone slab which hid the entrance to the Slytherin common room. Just a few more steps and she would be cozied in her bed away from the shadows and darkness. The relief was short lived as she felt a pair of arms wrap around her mid-section and pull her into an alcove. She was about to scream but a hand covered her mouth and the arms held her tight. She struggled before recognizing the familiar voice which was whispering in her ear. She stilled and the hand that was covering her mouth came off.

"Sirius?!" Huda wrenched herself out of his arms and pointed her wand at his face.

"I didn't mean to scare you" Sirius held his hands up in surrender, his expression apologetic.

Huda was beyond furious. "What were you thinking?! Sneaking around the school like that. Were you following me and Gideon?".

"I wasn't following you! I just saw the two of you at the Astronomy Tower. Gideon is a smooth talker; I'll give him that" Sirius replied.

"You were eavesdropping on us?!" Huda willed herself to calm down as Sirius smirked at her.

"It only takes a few words to get you to fall at his feet. How pathetic."

"Pathetic is what you are doing, Sirius Black. Listening to other people's conversations like a fly on the wall. It's none of your business what I do anymore" Huda snapped right back at him, unwilling to let him go without a fight.

"Funny you say that because I wanted to apologize what happened" Huda rolled her eyes. "But now it seems like I don't need to do that seeing at you've already moved on to another Gryffindor. Tell me, is it a fetish?" Sirius sneered and Huda let out a growl of rage.

"You are a true arsehole, Sirius. I can't believe what I saw in you to actually fall for you" Huda remarked.

"What about you? You've been hanging around those slimy Slytherins who abandoned you completely when your father was missing. Who supported you during that time? It was me and my friends! And now you refuse to even speak to us!" Sirius shot back and Huda shook her head at his immaturity.

"Are you jealous?" Huda knew what button to press. "Regulus looks up to me now. He hangs out with me more than he does with you. Does that hurt? Does it sting when he glares at you? When he gives you dirty looks and ignores you? You abandoned him!" she wanted to hurt him as much as he had hurt her. Sirius fell silent and Huda could see she had absolutely broken him to pieces by saying this.

"That was below the belt, Shafiq" Sirius muttered, reverting back to calling her by her last name.

"The truth always hurts, Black" Huda replied and Sirius nodded.

"We're over. Officially" Sirius announced and Huda nodded in agreement.

"Have a nice life" Huda pulled open the curtain that hid them both but hesitated before leaving. She turned to see Sirius gazing resolutely on the stone floor.

She whispered the password and entered the empty common room. Her mind was blank as she walked into her dorm and stripped off to shower. The extreme heat of the water did nothing to alert her mind as she went through the motions of washing her body and hair and applying her skincare products before slipping into a baggy night gown. The green and silver four poster bed seemed to mock her as she stared up at it. She should be relieved that Sirius was now out of her life. She was free of one secret that she was hiding for her own protection.

So why did she feel so empty?

Friday came round pretty damn quick and Huda found herself in an abandoned classroom close to the Slytherin common rooms. They were scarcely used in the fall and winter time so it was the perfect place for a dueling club. She was quite surprised by the turnout. Her heart sank when she spotted Regulus hanging around the seventh years but remembered Dumbledore's words. The younger Black would have to solve this by himself and she only hoped it wouldn't be too late.

"Alright! Let's quiet down shall we!" a loud voice next to the chalkboard said and the room gradually silenced. Huda wasn't surprised to see that Louis Avery who had spoken. He was well known as an ideas man and spent a lot of time making connections while at Hogwarts. She wouldn't also be surprised that he was taking leadership in order to look greater in front of the Dark Lord.

"So the Dueling Club is exclusively for Slytherin House" Avery began once the room quieted down. "We all want the approval of the Dark Lord and to be part of his followers. My idea for this club is to prepare us for the time that he may call upon us for our skills".

"You weren't even invited over the summer, Avery. Why should we listen to you?" Theodore Selwyn spoke up and the crowd began whispering among themselves.

"I think it's a smashing idea" Huda spoke up and heads turned to her. Selwyn glared at her but she paid him no mind. "We should be prepared to face the Dark Lord and to impress him with our skills. Whether we were invited or not over the summer should not matter. What matters is when He calls upon you, are you ready to answer?". The students seemed to think her point was valid and Avery sent her a relieved smile.

"So, I was thinking of getting all of your ideas first. What spells would you like to learn, what skills you would like to expand on and what you can offer. The seventh years can become coaches for all the different skills and guide the rest of the students" Avery continued. The students approved and began shouting out ideas. By the time they were finished the board was filled with suggestions. Huda perused through the list wincing as she read all the jinxes, hexes, curses particularly the Unforgivable Curses.

"So can I have our seventh years up here to choose a subject matter" Avery requested and Huda walked up to the front. There were three main topics namely dueling, spell work and curses and four seventh year Slytherins, namely Avery, Selwyn, Macnair and Huda.

"I can always work on something else. Either I assist with all three groups or I can branch out on my own" Huda suggested glancing over at Avery.

"What do you want to work on, Shafiq?" Avery asked.

"Healing and potions" Huda replied ignoring Selwyn's snicker. Macnair nodded in agreement but Avery looked confused.

"Healing and potions seem to be a rather safe area, Shafiq. You're wasting your time".

"What happens if you're injured while fighting for the Dark Lord? What if you get injured here while practicing? We can't exactly go to the Hospital Wing!" Huda explained and the students murmured in agreement behind her. "I'm offering the chance of learning my Healing techniques and brewing potions during emergency situations". Avery nodded, now smiling in approval.

"So, we'll let the students decide where they want to go?" Macnair asked and Avery nodded.

Huda waited patiently as the students began discussing among themselves and choosing their subjects. A few people began wandering over to her and she saw that Severus Snape had also joined her group. Regulus after discussing with Mulciber and Crabbe had also wandered over to Huda. Majority of the students had joined the remaining three choices which left Huda with only five students. Selwyn sent her a mocking smile which she ignored.

"So you have one week to organize what you want to teach and we'll meet here again next week. We'll rotate weekly in terms of subjects. So next week, we'll start spellwork with Macnair. Remember just because you're in one group doesn't mean you can't attend another group's demonstration. All knowledge is good knowledge. That's it. Dismissed!" Avery wrapped up the meeting and Huda sighed in relief.

"Please leave in an orderly fashion. Crouch and Abbot are patrolling tonight!" Huda called out and Avery sent her a grateful smile.

"I'm glad to see you come for this, Shafiq. I didn't believe it when I read your name on the signup sheet" Avery commented and Huda chuckled.

"I wouldn't miss this for anything. I just hope my subject matter isn't boring".

"I'm sure you'll find a way to make it entertaining" Avery replied and walked off to Selwyn who was waiting impatiently at the door for him. Huda bade him goodbye and turned to grab her bag only to see it had already been taken by Regulus.

"I'll walk you to the library" Regulus shouldered her bag and walked off before she could stop him. Huda laughed and hurried after the younger boy, who was already taller than her.

"Wasn't this for fourth years up? How did you manage to get in?" Huda asked curiously. She didn't mention in out loud in front of all of them but Avery didn't seem to bother to check why third years had also attended.

"I just wanted to see what it was about. And now that I know, I'm excited to see what you're going to be teaching us" Regulus replied.

"I've never taught anyone before so I hope no one gets bored or anything" Huda laughed nervously.

"You were our Quidditch Captain and now Head Girl. Everyone will listen to you" Regulus reassured her and Huda was once again reminded of how innately good Regulus was. He was loyal and intelligent but had missed out on a good family environment.

"How is third year? Classes going alright?" Huda asked after a few minutes of silence.

"I'm regretting taking Divination but Arithmancy is quite interesting. Potions is a nightmare though, Slughorn assigned us two feet of parchment for bezoars. What exactly would you write about bezoars?"

"How they are formed in the stomach of the goat. Hydrochloric acid forms the bezoar much like how humans get gallstones or kidney stones. I found that comparison when I read it in Healing books in the library" Huda replied and Regulus blinked in shock.

"I didn't even think of that. Mind giving me the reference now that we're at the library?" they stopped at the entrance to the library.

"Antidotes and Healer Magic by Cassandra Djokovic. Should be in the Healing section" Huda replied.

"Thanks!"

Regulus handed her the bag and rushed off to find the book. Huda chuckled before looking for an empty table. She spotted Remus sitting alone working on something and debated whether she should go over and greet him. She clutched at her bag strap and walked up to him. The sandy haired boy glanced up and Huda immediately noticed a new scar across his left cheek. What exactly had caused that?

"Hi, Remus"

"Hello Huda. Have a seat" he gestured to the chair opposite him. Huda sat down, despite her apprehension, and pulled out her books, ink and parchment. Remus paid her no mind as he continued with his work. Huda huffed but didn't break the silence and began writing away on her parchment. She had a three feet long essay on non-verbal Transfiguration to submit by Monday. Her frustration grew, however, since Remus felt completely comfortable in the awkward silence that permeated between them.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Huda asked, feeling rather offended.

"It's not my place to ask what happened between you and Sirius" Remus replied, still looking down at his parchment and paying her no mind.

"So our friendship is gone because I broke up with Sirius? It wasn't even a breakup. We just had a fight" Huda frowned.

"Wasn't a small fight the way I heard it" Remus countered.

"Then what did you hear?" Huda asked.

Remus sighed and finally looked up. "Sirius said you were acting like a bitch because he managed to transform into an animal and you couldn't. Then you decided to show off at how much his younger brother liked you better than him and that he abandoned his younger brother to the dogs".

"They managed to do it?!" Huda was astonished at the fact, to say the least.

"They showed me the night we came back from summer hols. I was so happy that I cried in shock" Remus smiled fondly at the memory and Huda felt a trickle of guilt in her heart. This was what they started the project for. For Remus John Lupin. Saint Remus. For the werewolf not to be alone every full moon. And she had ruined it with her selfishness and her damn ego.

"I shouldn't have done that to Sirius. I forgot what the end goal was. I was selfish. And I shouldn't have said that about Regulus. Sirius is the one who told me to look out for Regulus because he wouldn't be able to. I've been so stupid; I can't believe it" Huda admitted.

"You were but you were the brains behind the Animagus project. Even Sirius admitted they wouldn't have gotten far without your research. Even if you couldn't do it, you still went through it with them and I will be eternally grateful to you, Huda. You also took Regulus under your wing and underneath all that anger, I'm sure Sirius appreciates all that you've done for him". Remus smiled kindly at the girl sitting in front of him.

"I messed it up, Remus. I'm sorry" Huda felt the tears pool in her eyes.

"You don't need to tell me that. You need to say that to Sirius".

"You truly are Saint Remus" Huda chuckled as she brushed the tears away from her eyes.

Remus chuckled. "That I am. Now, can you explain me…."