01/12/2021
HI! This is the fastest I've ever put up chapters before! I hope you like this chapter! Please vote in my poll for Sera's ship.
Sera's steps echoed into the warmth of the Library. The soft flipping of pages and mummer of voices were the only noises anyone could hear. Sera waltzed to a table in the back half hidden by bookshelves next to a large window. Sera had hid from the gossip mongers all day, she had been hounded during breakfast and lunch for standing up for Severus. She finally found peace in her Ancient Rune homework pulling out her Rune Dictionary and translation worksheet. She tapped her music bracelet and settled down for a few hours of work.
Finished Rune, Potion, and Transfiguration work piled up. Sera was halfway through Herbology assignment when the table jolted, sending her gaze up. "Reg?" Sera questioned. He was her only friend in Hogwarts since he arrived. It was three days into Sera's second year, when she found him hiding in an empty classroom. She had been walking back to the Hufflepuff Common when she heard a noise coming from a door.
Sera stepped into the room, away from the light and warmth of the hallway. "Hello?" Sera called out into the room. The noise she heard from outside had quieted but she could see someone slumped next to a window. The moonlight was just bright enough to make out the boy. He looked up as she tentatively approached. Grey eyes stared at her spying her tie.
"Who are you?" The boy asked, hesitantly sitting up.
"I'm Seraphina."
"Do you want to tell me how I shouldn't be in Slytherin? That they are evil. I've had enough of that from Sirius. I don't need a useless badger telling me what to do."
"I don't think Slytherins are evil. You obviously aren't."
"And what do you know about me? I could hex you in a second."
"But you haven't. Anyone who judges someone by a house is an idiot." The boy let out a quiet laugh, "No one has ever said my brother is an idiot."
"Well I just did," Sera took a deep breath, "SIRIUS BLACK IS AN IDIOT! Well now that that's over, Hello, I am Seraphina Hope."
"Regulus Black," he said, reaching out and shaking her hand.
"Fi, why did you help Severus?" Reg asked, looking down at her work.
"I had to. We both know how bad they can get. I could help him so I did. Simple as that," Sera said, crossing her arms.
"Fine, just don't do it again. The other Slytherins will try to manipulate you, but the Marauders will be worse."
"Okay I get it. Well, will you help me with Herbology?" Sera demanded.
"Yes Fi," Reg laughed, getting out his work. They sat there as sunlight began to dwindle, occasionally talking about the current thing they were working on.
Sera stepped out of the Great Hall, barely anyone was out, she had left dinner early. Sera started to walk down the halls to the Hufflepuff Commons, when the Bloody Baron appeared right in front of her. His hair was cut short, no longer hidden under his powdered wig, wearing a t-shirt and cargo pants. He only looked like this when he knew there weren't any students around other than Sera and Reg. When the baron had confessed that he was uncomfortable with his old clothes, she had found a spell in third year that let a ghost wear different clothing than when they died. She had a strange friendship with the ghost. Even Regulus was uneasy around the Baron. Sera gave a listening ear to the Baron and he in return became an extraordinary friend. He was the only one who knew of her real heritage. "Miss Hope. What are you doing out of the Hall so early?" the Baron inquired, floating next to her as she continued walking down the corridor.
"I was just not in the mood to listen, for another twenty minutes, about the next quidditch match between Slytherin and Gryffindor. You'd think that people would think about stuff other than a dangerous sport."
"I have to disagree, Miss Hope. I do love a quidditch match."
"But Baron, it is so hazardous. According to the History of Quidditch, if someone is injured they can't even leave the game until it's over. What if that happens to Regulus? He'll have to keep looking for the snitch. What if he falls off his broom? What if they lose and the other Slytherins blame him? What-"
"Hush, Miss Hope you are working yourself into a tizzy. Breathe," the Baron interrupted Sera seeing her breathing pick up.
"Master Regulus will be fine. He is an excellent flyer, and even if they lose he has a few allies in Slytherin. That boy, Severus, is one of them. How about we talk about more pleasant topics?"
"I would like that," Sera looked outside, "The moon will be full soon, perfect for-"
A brown haired boy staggered down a flight of stairs, breathing heavily against the cold wall. Sera rushed over with the Baron, now clothed in his old robes, floating beside her. As she neared the boy's head jerked up. Sera was shocked it was Remus Lupin. His hands shook, eyes darted around. "Get away!" He shouted trying to stand.
"No. You need help." Sera closed the distance pulling him upright.
Remus looked up at the sky, "Take me to the Whomping Willow. Fast."
The Baron looked down at Sera, "Follow me."
Sera, with Remus leaning against her, stumbled out of Hogwarts. Remus was shaking more and more as time went on. The ground was covered in a light dusting of snow, the moonlight sparkling off it. As they neared the Willow, Remus took out his wand and whispered Wingardium Leviosa, floating a twig to a knot in the tree and pressing it. The tree shuddered, a part of its roots folding open.
"Set me down there and then run back inside. Please don't tell anyone," Remus ordered. Sera lowered him towards the tree, half helping him inside the tunnel.
"Tell me what's happening," Sera said, tightening her grip on his arm at the last second.
"Later." Sera nodded and headed back towards the castle.
Thanks for reading please review! Comments and Criticism are welcome!
