Summary: Andrew Knight knew that things were going to change his Sixth Year at Hogwarts. With his friends and the Marauders on his side, he knew it would be full of fun adventures and even some romance along the way. However, it seems a darker path was awaiting them as they reach their Seventh Year . . .

Pairing: Sirius Black/Male OC

Changes to Character(s): N/A

Spoilers To: Harry Potter

Type of Story: Chapter-Filled

Book(s)/Movie(s) Belongs To: JK Rowling

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A/N: Hi, y'all! I hope you are all having an amazing day! Happy New Year's!

Andrew wasn't sure what it was about the library that calmed him down. It could have been the soft sounds of turned pages, the quick scribbles of ink quills, or the low murmurs of his schoolmates.

However, the things that once brought him peace had transformed into an infuriating buzz inside his head. The carefully written words in front of him smeared together to form dark smudges against his third scroll of the day.

I just need a few more sentences, he thought. Then, I can nap. Or maybe . . .

"How much do I need to pay you to kill me, McKinnon?"

The Gryffindor girl in question looked up from her paper and chuckled. "I'm going to require a couple hundred galleons if I'm going to risk having Aurors going after me—not to mention your entire fanbase as well."

"Don't remind me," he muttered, pushing aside a stray strand of his hair from his face. He peered at a group of students staring at him and felt a rush of embarrassment go through him.

Andrew was never a source of attention in his early years at Hogwarts. He was always the one to stand aside as his friends garnered more and more admirers, never thinking he had a chance in doing so.

When it came to relationships, he had only ever had one and that was enough for him. The Ravenclaw would rather remain on a comfortable chair in front of a fire, reading his latest stack of books.

Once his abilities came to fruition, he noticed that people were kinder and more talkative than before. They greeted him cheeringly in the morning and stopped him to tell him of various things that never crossed his mind.

Being suddenly thrown into the spotlight puts him on edge every time he is approached.

"You might want to tone it down a bit, Drew," she said, a blush already forming on her face. "I don't want to snog your face off in front of everyone."

It didn't take much for the young Veela to lose control over his charming abilities, and with the combined stress and worry he was feeling from his work, he had unknowingly spread it towards the nearby students.

Andrew quickly summoned back the intoxicating feeling, leaving them behind with a look of confusion on those affected. He gave them an apologetic look before looking back at the blonde.

"Can't you help me at least?" he begged his friend. "I'll do anything you want!"

"I thought Ravenclaws were supposed to be smart?"

"I thought Gryffindors were supposed to be chivalrous?"

Marlene rolled her eyes before smiling and examining his paper. "It's not bad, but you should definitely work on-"

A loud thud startled them as another set of red robes abruptly joined their table, mumbling underneath her breath. Marlene and Andrew gave each other a look when the words idiotic and arrogant came from the brilliant witch.

"Hello, Lily," Andrew said, using the excuse to push aside his work before grabbing a wrapped candy from his bag. "Sugar quill?"

Begrudgingly, the Evans girl took the sweet. "Can you believe Potter tried to ask me to Hogsmeade in front of Professor McGonagall? In the middle of a lesson too!"

"Minnie?" Marlene laughed. "I can already see the look on her face."

"She was quite annoyed, and it was worse when he brought out the chocolates," Lily groaned, taking a bite of her candy in spite. "He said it was caramel filled and tried to give them to me, but it ended up exploding all over us. It was the fastest detention she had ever given him."

"Ah, exploding bonbons," McKinnon laughed. "That would explain the mark on your cheek."

Lily furiously swiped at her face. "Oh, sod off!"

"At least, it was better than last year with the fireworks," remarked Andrew, finishing his last sentence with a click of his tongue. "I had to get an entirely new wardrobe."

He saw the glare the redhead gave him. "Sorry. Is Remus joining us any time soon, Lils?"

"He had to see his professors about some assignments he missed from when he was ill a few days ago."

Concern bloomed in the Ravenclaw at her response.

From an early age, Remus had always been prone to illness and had to be excused from his classes every once and awhile from extreme flare ups. The young wizard had not shared what type of affliction he had to them, but they knew it wasn't easy for him to live with.

After recovering, he would come back with scars covering his body. Many would disappear with time, but there were a few that remained as a reminder for all who saw him.

The Veela had to hold back his curiosity every time he saw the boy. It seemed natural to question it—though he wished he could stop it. It was difficult enough to see him in pain, but it was another not being able to help in any way.

Andrew hummed in acknowledgement, trying to not think too much about it. "Marlene, do you have the answer to the Arithmancy homework? I want to get that one over with."

"No," she answered, lifting her parchment, "but I do have a neat drawing of a manticore."

"Blimey, I knew you studying was too good to be true," the Ravenclaw teased with a dazzling smile. "I'll just swipe them from Dorcas tonight."

The group became quiet as they, with the exception of Marlene, delved into their school endeavors with the occasional complaint or thought shared among the group. Once they were finished, they made their way towards the Great Hall.

As they passed through the cumbersome and primeval halls of the school, Andrew couldn't help remembering his first time at the school.

The feeling of magic all around him was welcoming and was of great comfort to the first year. However, it also brought up the memories leading up to it, tainted by his mère Geneviève Brissette-Knight.

His mother was a strict and stubborn woman who had demanded he attend Beauxbatons Academy where most Veela children would go to be prepared as a high-class member of witch society. She was completely horrified to see a Hogwarts letter delivered at their doorstep and was prepared to burn it away when his father stopped her.

After an argument that had lasted almost an entire week, his mother reconsidered her decision and allowed his entry to the school.

This however didn't prevent her from speaking poorly of the school and their attendants.

"Hogwarts is a despicable place that only produces criminals and murderers," Geneviève uttered with disgust. "Once they find out your part Veela, the whole school will hunt you down and tear you apart. Your hair, your blood, and your body will be used for their wickedness."

His father would try his best to ease his worries, but the older Veela was insistent on dissuading the possibility of any excitement in her child.

When the day came to board the train, his mother didn't bother to join them at the platform, feigning feeling too sick to join them for travel.

"You're going to do great, mijo," Richard Knight told him kindly, bending on one knee to look him in the eye. "You're going to make a lot of new friends and learn so much from there. You might even make prefect and Head Boy like I did."

Andrew glanced around him seeing the other kids boarding the train. "I'm scared."

"It's okay to be scared. Did I ever tell you that I almost soiled my trousers from nerves during my sorting ceremony?"

The boy laughed, a small swell of relief going through him. "Really?"

"Yeah," his father stated, a smile on his face. The man looked at his hand for a moment before slipping off a ring from his finger. "Here. You can give it back to me when you return home, and you can tell me what marvelous adventures you had."

The ring—a golden circlet embedded with a turquoise gem in its center—was one of the most precious things Richard had ever received. It had been passed down their family for generations, rumored to have been made from Aztec gold.

Andrew treasured it immensely.

Unfortunately, he would never return the ring.

Waiting for him at the platform, his mother had delivered the news that his father had died during a dragon expedition in Romania, leaving a dark feeling between the two.

Even after her criticism, Geneviève didn't have the heart to withdraw him from Hogwarts and transferred her woes through other methods.

Luckily, the friends he had gained unknowingly helped him work through the emotions. Since then, he had learned to appreciate every moment at Hogwarts and was excited to have acquired the title of prefect—a perfect way to honor his father.

Andrew twisted his ring fondly as he settled himself at the Gryffindor table, seeing a tall figure sitting in front of him. "Remus, could you pass the bread?"

The boy looked up from his plate, revealing his exhausted and pale appearance. A fresh pair of scars on his cheek. "Decided to join us today?"

"Everyone at my table is worried about their classes right now and Dorcas had to speak to Doge," he responded, examining him carefully, "so I thought I would hang out with these losers today."

Marlene scoffed. "As if you didn't just come from studying."

"I know how to separate my time," Andrew jested before turning back to Lupin. "I wished you had joined us. You know you're the only one I truly like, Remmy."

The Marauder's face became shy at the statement and quickly passed up the plate. "Maybe next time."

Once more, the Ravenclaw pulled out a sugary treat, a piece of chocolate this time, from his bag before handing it to an expectant Remus.

"Where are the rest of the boys?" Lily interjected, a suspicious yet calculating look on her face. "They're normally here by now."

As if she had summoned them, the missing trio entered the room with a confident stride, a proud look clear on their faces. The environment shifted to one of expectancy as each House saw their expressions.

No one could ever tell what mood the boys were in early in the morning. One day, they may appear to rest and live carelessly among their fellow wizards, and the other, a coup of pranks will rain upon them.

James looked around the room, his dark eyes glinting in the candlelight, before landing his sights on Lily. He suddenly became nervous and ruffled his dark hair out of habit, making the usual mess worse.

"Oh, Lil, here comes Romeo," Andrew muttered, looking away from the boys.

"At least, I won't be alone," Lily snapped back, glaring at the boys. "Black already has a look of anger on his face."

Sirius notice his stance and gestured at his fellow pranksters before hurriedly heading towards them, making Peter run behind them.

"What did you do?" Marlene asked him, slight concern filling her voice.

Ever since the incident with Avery, Sirius had kept a close watch on the Veela—worried that the Slytherins would plan to attack him if he were alone.

At first, it was a sweet gesture from the Gryffindor. However, as the days passed, the Veela couldn't even find a moment to clear his mind.

Andrew rolled his eyes as Sirius sat next to him, sticking a roll in his mouth to prevent any conversation with the troublemaker. The other boy waited until he was done chewing before speaking.

"Where were you?" the Black boy hissed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I looked everywhere for you."

"For your information, I was in the library. Studying."

Sirius glared at him, pushing his hair back in frustration. "You know you shouldn't be alone. Not after—"

"I wasn't alone," Andrew shot back, letting some of his exasperation fill his words. "I was at the library with Marlene and Lily. It's been a week, so I doubt Avery has anything planned out"

The Veela took another bite of his roll.

He always pulls out that card, Andrew thought. He looked around at the group to make sure their friends couldn't hear them. I just need some space.

However, it would appear that he wasn't alone in this thought.

Lily remained stoic as Potter happily sat down next her, followed by Peter on his other side. The cocky boy greeted the group with a slight nod before putting his attention back on the redhead, making the girl grimace.

"Hello, Evans," James said with a tone of endearment. "I know this morning was rough, but—"

"No."

"Come on, give me a chance."

"It has been five years, turning into six," Lily stressed, "I always tell you no, and you never give up. You've never even bothered to date, minimum like, anyone else. Why would I ever bother giving an arrogant, selfish toerag a chance?"

James had a hurt expression on his face. "Lily, I know I'm a little intense, but I genuinely lik—"

"No, I won't go out with you," she spat, not bothering to look at him, "or did you forget what you did last year, Potter?"

Everybody winced at the statement.

It was a memory all of them would like to forget.

They could remember the harsh actions taken by the Marauders as they entrapped Severus Snape, hanging him in the air before humiliatingly torturing him in front of everyone. The young Veela could still hear the words Snape had exclaimed after the dreadful incident.

I don't need help from filthy little Mudbloods like her!

Peter anxiously tapped his leg as everyone else looked away from the witch. Andrew felt Sirius wrap his arm around his shoulders and leaned into the Gryffindor's reassuring touch, a familiar sense of shame piercing through him.

He pushed back the fleeting memory.

Even though some time had passed, the event had left deep scars in all of them.

Their silence was filled with the chatter of the Great Hall as they tried to find something to say. Lily noticed their reaction and immediately apologized.

Under the heavy weight of the atmosphere, Evans quickly picked up her bag and sprinted out of the Great Hall, leaving the group in awkward silence.

"S-She's just stressed," Andrew said with nervous assurance, shaking out of Black's embrace. "Exams. She just needs some rest."

"Let's go," Sirius told him, seeing his friend's stress.

With that, they left as well.