thank you to my betas Go-french-a-dementor and commandersharisa
I only own my oc
*the incantation for the bat bogies hex isn't listed anywhere so I googled it in Latin lol
I'm never drinking again
, Sirius thought as he slowly regained consciousness, his internal lies and headache, broken up by the smell of cinnamon, and honey.
Slowly opening his eyes, he spied bright blond hair. Trying not to move too much as he looked down, taking in the sight of the girl curled up against him, face buried against his chest, arm thrown over his side, looking quite comfortable for being on the common room floor.
"Fuck Elf Wine." James groaned from behind him, "If Marlene wasn't a bird, I'd punch her right in the face."
"Shh, too loud." Freya groaned, Sirius waited for just a moment to see if she realized who she was snuggled up against, "Morning kitten."
"Ahh!" She rolled away suddenly as if the Gryffindor was on fire.
"Now who's too loud?" James said cradling his head in his hands, elbows propped on his knees, Sirius sat up against the couch.
"Why are we on the floor?" She whined, sitting up and running a hand through her hair, trying to tame the mess.
"Because your drunk asses wouldn't let Remus and I take you to bed last night," Lily said from the stairs, unsurprisingly already dressed and looking like she was ready to take on the world.
"That doesn't sound like me at all," Freya sat up rubbing her face.
"Well, does laying in Sirius's lap, telling him you were the drunk dog this time, demanding head scratches, sound like you?" Lily laughed sitting next to James on the couch.
"Ugh." Freya groaned, "I didn't.."
"You did," Padfoot laughed, "And may I say your hair is very soft."
"I'm not sure why you're laughing," Lily locked her emerald eyes on Sirius, "When Remus tried to take you upstairs, you threatened to get naked."
"It was a sound plan," he shrugged, "no one wants to tackle the naked guy," Sirius laughed again, unphased by the previous night's shenanigans.
"Ok well," Freya stood up, "I'm going to take my mortified ass upstairs and see if I can wash some of this shame off."
"Well, I'm only slightly offended." Sirius called after her, he looked at James who was still working up the fortitude to stand, "How bad?"
"After we started drinking, you growled at blokes who got too close."
Sirius let out a groan and let his head fall back against the seat of the couch.
Lily let out a little laugh, "She clearly didn't mind."
"I'd rather hope she was too drunk to remember."
An hour later, a sober Freya joined her friends in the Great Hall, "Thanks for the sober up Lil," she said, taking a seat next to Alice.
James looked up angrily from his plate, "Wait why does she get sober up and we have to suffer?"
"I like her," the redhead smirked.
Freya looked over at Sirius as she grabbed a piece of toast, "Sorry about using you for warmth. I'm told I like to cuddle after a certain point."
"I don't recall complaining," he shrugged.
"There's been an attack in London!" Marlene came running to the table, "They've finally admitted it's all being done by the same people," she set the paper down in the middle of the group, the headline of the Prophet read; MUGGLE FAMILY SLAUGHTERED, DEATH EATERS TO BLAME! The picture underneath made Freya's stomach turn, the black and white skull in the sky opened its mouth and a snake slithered out.
Freya's stomach churned as she looked at the familiar symbol. Her nails dug into the table and the noise of the Great Hall faded out into a dull rumble.
She scrambled out of her seat, "I need some air."
"Freya?" Sirius stood up.
"Don't," she said quietly, rushing out of the Great Hall, losing her breakfast as soon as she made it to the grass.
James and Sirius both looked at each other and back at the paper, "Psst," Remus whispered, the other two turned to follow his eye line.
Rosier slipped out just after Freya. The boys were out of their seats and into the hall.
"You see the paper today, pet?" Evan yelled out as Freya wiped her mouth.
"Fuck off, Rosier," she snapped back, lifting herself up and heading down to the woods.
"Aww don't be like that," He grabbed her wrist, "I'm trying to help you, you're one of us after all or you will be." Their blue eyes locked and the smirk that spread across his face almost made Freya ill again.
"Help me?" Freya scoffed, yanking her arm back, "In what fucking universe would I need or want help from you?"
"This one," he smirked smugly, "I can't imagine being my wife is worse than death."
"You clearly haven't met you."
James, Sirius, and Remus stood out of sight wands ready, Sirius more being held back by the other two, "Just wait." James hissed at his angry friend.
"Wait for what?" Padfoot spat, pulling away from his friends.
"Listen to James," Remus hissed, "Godric I can't believe I just said that."
As Freya turned to walk away, Rosier's fingers wrapped around her upper arm painfully.
She hid the flinch as he forced her to face him. His crystal blue eyes seemed to burn into her, "Time to stop fucking around Fawley. Wouldn't want to meet the same sticky end as your mother would you?"
Freya glared at him, "You see, these threats would probably be more effective if I were actually scared of you.
Shocked by her words, his face flushed with anger, his grip tightened on her arm.
Freya let her wand slide from her sleeve, pointing it at him, "Vespertilio palustribus!"
She spun around, running down the hill towards the woods, slightly upset she didn't get to admire her work, but the screaming coming from Rosier's direction as his boogers turned to bats gave her a bit of satisfaction.
Freya quickly looked behind her to make sure she was indeed alone and out of Rosier's eyesight, sprinting through the treeline Freya jumped forward shifting, disappearing into the woods.
The three Marauders watched as Rosier ran back into the castle being chased by the bats Fawley had conjured. Sirius was out of their hiding spot first, "Where did she go?"
"I've got a pretty good idea," Remus said looking down the hill.
"Go make sure Rosier didn't run to a professor," James told Remus, who quickly headed back inside.
Freya found herself in a clearing before she'd calmed down enough and stopped. Panting, she circled, nose in the air, making sure she was alone before laying down with a huff.
"Why did she have to go running into the bloody woods?" James huffed as they crossed the tree line, "Doesn't she know there's shit in here that will eat her?"
"Shut up," Sirius snapped, "If you lot would have just let me beat Rosier bloody then we would be in the fucking forest."
"That's true," James smirked, "Right about now Remus and I would be watching Fawley scream at you because she doesn't need your help."
Sirius started to argue but stopped, "You're not wrong," His boot caught a root and he tripped, catching himself on a nearby tree.
With a huff he freed his foot and shifted into Padfoot, circling around to look at James.
"She called me prey!" James crossed his arms over his chest, "And now you expect me to turn into said prey, to help you find an angry... TIGER for all we know."
James looked down at the shaggy black dog and just knew a human Sirius would be giving him the, are you fucking kidding, look.
"Fine, but if she bites me I'm kicking your arse." And without another word James turned into the large brown stag.
A snapping noise caused Freya to jump, hackles raised, teeth bared, a low warning growl coming from her chest. She didn't relent when the shaggy black dog came strutting out of the brush, she barked loudly warning Padfoot to back off.
Sirius let out a growl of his own as James walked into the clearing. Padfoot immediately put himself between them.
He quickly noticed she wasn't paying Prongs any attention, testing the theory he slowly moved to one side. Freya's bright eyes followed him, turning her body as he left her eye line.
Freya, sick of whatever Sirius was trying to accomplish, raised on her haunches and launched herself at the black dog. Sirius rolled out of the way shifting into his human self, "Freya stop!"
She growled again, hoping he'd get the point and just leave her alone, digging her paws into the ground prepared to either jump or run, she still wasn't sure which.
Sirius took a moment to appreciate the little wolf in front of him, the bright golden eyes that he'd seen her flash before, a black stripe that ran from her nose to the tip of her fluffy tail. That strip blended into copper and then to white. The contrast from Freya to Moony was like day and night except for one thing… The very sharp teeth, still barred and ready to snap one of his legs in half.
Sirius took one step forward and Freya growled again, "We both know you'd feel absolutely awful if you hurt me Fea."
Freya snapped her teeth at him, glaring as he took another step forward and sat down.
James shifted back to human, wand ready just in case Freya decided to just let instincts take over.
Sirius paid him no attention, eyes locked with Freya. "You can snarl and snap all you want to but I'm not going anywhere."
Freya blinked, her stance relaxing slowly as she sunk to the ground, her jaw settled on Sirius's crossed ankles.
James slipped his wand back in his pocket and took a step forward, Freya's head snapped up and her eyes narrowed towards the noise, she'd almost forgotten he was here.
Sirius gently brushed the side of Freya's face successfully getting her attention back on him, "Would you like him to leave?"
With a shake of her head, Freya sat down, shifting back to herself.
She pulled her knees up, "Rosiers one of those Death Eaters isn't he?" She asked quietly looking up at both boys.
James dug his shoe into the ground as Sirius sighed, "If he's not one already he's on the fast track to becoming one."
The boys watched as Freya's carted her hands through her hair, her eyes screwed shut.
"He said…" she sputtered "I… can-" Freya gripped at her hair as she struggled to get her words right.
"Pads," James said quietly nudging Sirius, "What's that trick my mum showed you?"
Sirius sat up on his knees and moved next to Freya. Taking a breath and trying to remember exactly what Mia had made him do to calm down that first night after running away.
"Fea… uh Freya?" He reached out to touch her but stopped, she was still trying to stutter out something but now tears had been added to the mix, "I need you to open your eyes take a deep breath and do me a favor."
She didn't open her eyes but she did stop trying to talk, "Open your eyes please," he said again quietly adding, "Tell me five things you can see."
Freya lifted her head and finally opened her eyes, confusion mixed into her already emotion-filled mind but she did what he's asked, "t- trees, grass, my shoes," she closed her eyes again but finally took a deep breath.
Sirius put his hand on her knee, "Two more."
"Uh, that big rock and… leaves."
Sirius could see she was already starting to calm down but decided to keep going, "Good now I want you to touch four things."
"Why?"
"Humor me, please."
Sirius moved his hand as she pulled her knees away from her chest, she reached out and touched a blade of grass, next, she picked a small black pebble out of the ground, scratched her nails over the denim of her jeans, and then let her fingers glide across her shoelaces.
"Now what?"
Sirius paused a moment looking at James who suggested, "Hear, I think."
Freya closed her eyes again, "You two, the wind and some birds."
"Two things you can smell?" Sirius continued.
"Leather and mint," she answered too quickly, her eyes went wide before she looked down at the ground.
Sirius pretended to ignore her embarrassment, "And lucky for you I raided Moony's stash this morning," he pulled a chocolate bar out of his jacket pocket, " One thing you can taste."
She took the candy and slowly opened it, "I'll be right back okay?"
Freya nodded and Sirius stood up walking over to James whispering something.
"I'll take care of it," James replied before running off.
Sirius walked back over holding out his hand, "Come on, let's get out of the woods."
Freya ignored his hand pushing herself off of the ground, dusting off dirt from the back of her jeans.
"Freya," Sirius called out as she started to walk away.
Freya stopped letting out a loud sigh. She was embarrassed and frustrated, upset that she'd broken down over a few words.
"Do we have to talk about it, right now?" She asked, facing him, "I've got an awful headache and I'm starving."
"I think I can help with both of those things," Sirius offered her a small smile, gesturing forwards.
"Thanks," Freya replied.
Freya was confused when they didn't head into the Great Hall, even more so when Sirius steered her away from the kitchens but didn't question him until they were in front of the Room of Requirements.
"Sirius, what are we doing?" She asked.
He just smirked back and opened the door, "Trust me for a couple more minutes?"
Freya moved past him and slipped through the door, "The Potter's sitting room," she mumbled, shaking her head and moving to a couch by the fireplace.
Sirius sat on the opposite end leaving one cushion in between them, watching as she made a face at the teapot and one already filled mug on the table.
"Before you say it, I know you don't like tea but I'm going to tell you the same thing Mrs. Potter told me, "You'll drink it and be happy about it."
Occlumency lessons had been treating Freya well, the walls had gone up and she gave a defiant little smirk, "Or what?"
"You don't get the snacks," Sirius replied simply, throwing one arm over the back of the couch and settling into the corner seat.
Freya narrowed her blue eyes, "What kind of snacks?"
"Drink the tea and find out."
Freya huffed and leaned towards the table, picking up the mug and settling back into the couch.
"You didn't slip a calming drought in here did you?" She asked, sniffing at the cup.
"James set all this up, but no."
"Promise?" She looked up at him, eyes full of seriousness.
"I promise. You really think I'd try to drug you?"
"No!" She defended quickly, "I just can't have them, something about the way everything is brewed together. It re-" Freya paused, "They just make me sick."
Sirius nodded, "It's chamomile."
Freya made a face but tilted the cup back. Shuddering as she swallowed, "Nope, can't do it, the ungrateful American demands coffee and snacks," she set the cup back on the table.
"You're ridiculous, you know that?" He shook his head with a chuckle, pulling out his wand he tapped the table causing a tray of muffins and cookies to appear.
Freya quickly grabbed one of each, picking at the wrapper, "What was that thing, in the woods?" She asked.
Sirius shifted in his seat, slightly uncomfortable, "Something James's mom did for me once, well twice."
"I wish I would have known about it a few months ago," she replied quietly, picking at the muffin.
"It's happened before?"
"Just once, when I found out about my parents." Freya looked up from her hands, Sirius's grey eyes fixed on her, "I don't understand," she bit at her lip, "I don't lose it like that."
Sirius caught just a glimpse of uneasiness, "Mia told me once that the smallest incident can temporarily disable the strongest mind."
Freya's mind flashed to the little incident that started this whole mess, "He said I was one of them, or that I would be… I was fine-ish until I shifted back and then it was like, like.."
"You couldn't breathe?" Sirius offered.
"Yeah, and I couldn't find the right words like I knew what I wanted to say but I couldn't get it out, which seemed to make everything worse." She wrung her hands, "It was kind of like when I get somewhere cramped and dark but times a thousand."
"That's why that little trick works, it forces you to focus on one thing at a time."
Freya tucked her feet under her thighs, "I want to meet James's mom one day."
"She is a fascinating woman," Sirius beamed.
"I don't think I'm like them," Freya mumbled suddenly, breaking eye contact, "Rosier and my grandmother."
"I wouldn't be here if you were," he said, trying to reassure her but it seemed to bring up something else.
"Why are you so nice to me?" She held up a finger to stop Sirius's knee-jerk response, "and don't say because we're friends because this seems like an awful lot of trouble to go through just for a freak-out."
"You seem to forget what the boys and I do for Moony every month."
"Fair point but-"
"No buts Freya, you have friends here."
Freya caught sight of the door materializing, and raised an eyebrow and Sirius answered her silent question, "I told James to bring Lily, Marlene, and Alice down here once they started asking questions."
James knocked once and opened the door the three girls rushed in, all of them shouting questions.
Sirius got off the couch, "See? Friends."
Thank you, she mouthed back before turning back to the girls who already made themselves at home, "What is this place?" Marlene asked, "and why haven't I noticed that door before?"
"It's the Room of Requirements, I found it a while back," Freya answered.
Sirius gave Freya one last look before slipping outside.
James stood in the hall, he pinched the bridge of his nose, "Mild curiosity?" He asked as he looked up at his friend.
Sirius rubbed the back of his head, shoving the other hand in his pocket, laughing nervously, "No, it's definitely more than curiosity." He started down the hall, spinning around, "I dare say, I'm enamored."
"Going to start confessing your feelings and embarrassing yourself in the great hall soon?" James said.
"Nope, I'll leave that to you, mate."
Marlene giggled as the boys walked outside, "Please, please tell me we interrupted something," she was perched on the floor with a cushion for comfort.
"Sorry Marley you'll just have to get your juicy details somewhere else." Freya laughed as Marlene pulled out a few Galleons and passed them to Alice who gave one to Lily before pocketing the rest.
"Really?" Freya deadpanned, you were that sure?"
"Yes," the honey blond Gryffindor replied.
She sat up straight, smirking, "That boy is a smooth talker. I don't see why you think it's so irrational, he fancies you, you fancy him. You're both just being absurd."
Freya rolled her eyes, "We're friends Marlene," she huffed.
"Whatever you say, I'm the closest thing he's ever had to a girlfriend and I didn't get a nickname let alone two."
"Oh leave it alone Marlene," Lily finally interjected, "What happened with Rosier?"
Freya turned her attention to the redhead, "Nothing, just him being a prick. Same as usual."
Lily threw her long hair over her shoulder as she sat up in her chair, "Again? Freya, you need to talk to Professor McGonagall."
"Lily, we've been through this, me going and tattling to a teacher isn't going to do anything."
"How do you know?" Lily asked, exasperated.
"Because this isn't my first rodeo when it comes to insecure little boys who use their size and strength as intimidation," Freya replied harshly, "And I swear if I hear boys will be boys one more time I'll Avada myself."
Freya sighed knowing they wouldn't understand why her mind worked the way it did without a little clarification, "All of my weird little quirks and rules that I set for myself all stem from the same incident."
Freya kicked off her shoes sliding off the couch and onto the floor and watched as Lily moved down to the ground as well.
"So when I started at Ilvermorny, there was this guy in my house, third year, funny, gorgeous, completely oblivious to an awkward little first year."
Freya rolled her eyes at her own stupidity, "All that would have been plenty to fuel my little crush but when I found out what his name was, Templeton Fallstead, I was done for."
"Your favorite book is Charlotte's Web," Lily said quietly.
"Yup." Freya felt a heavy feeling in her chest but swallowed past the lump and her throat and continued, "fast forward to my third year, I was much less awkward and Quidditch had done amazing things for my confidence. I heard Templeton wasn't doing well in potions so I offered to help. I think he was humoring me at first but when his grades got better we got friendlier."
Freya couldn't help the shudder that went through her, she took a moment to look around the room naming specific items in her head.
With another deep breath, she focused on Alice, something about the pixie-haired Gryffindor made Freya feel safe.
"We kept hanging out and somewhere before the end of the year we started dating… we managed to see each other over the summer, school started back up and everything was perfect."
Freya found herself picking the wood on the table, "But because life isn't sunshine and rainbows it all went to shit. About two weeks after Christmas break I found out he'd been screwing random girls while I was at practice all year."
Alice reached her hands across the table and stopped Freya fidgeting, "You don't have to keep going."
Freya offered a weak smile, "I'm okay. So, because I'm a glutton for punishment apparently, I set him up and caught him in the act. We got into this huge fight, I tried to leave and he grabbed me," Freya's teeth clenched together, "I tried to shove him off of me and it just pissed him off more, the end result being me with a busted lip, black eye, and shattered cheekbone."
"And the school just let it go?!" Lily asked wide-eyed.
"We have our own untouchable families, and unfortunately the Fallstead's are filthy rich. His parents made some huge contribution to the school and the incident just disappeared." Freya looked at her three friends who stared back at her with sad expressions.
"After that, I spent every minute making sure I always had some type of upper hand. It's also the reason I don't date. I hated every part of being in a relationship, other than sex."
Freya pulled her shoulders back, "I'm going to need you guys to wipe the pity off your faces. When bad things happen you either let it eat at you or you overcome it. I tried the former and it didn't work for me."
She smirked, shaking off the gloomy feeling "If you promise to take a wizard's oath you can see the best part that came out of that whole shit-tastic experience."
Both Alice and Marlene grinned, pulling out their wands but Lily raised an eyebrow, "Why?"
"Because, technically, I'm breaking the law here," Freya replied simply, "so are you in?"
Worry flashed across Lily's face as she fought with herself, "Fine," she sighed pulling out her wand.
The three decided not to reveal anything they learned about Freya that night without her consent. Freya looked on as each of her friends made their promise and as the last wand went out she stood up.
"Ok close your eyes and count to… ten."
Alice closed her eyes with an excited little shimmy, Marlene rolled hers first and Lily slapped her hand over her eyes, each girl counting in their heads.
Freya quickly shifted and jumped on the couch, snout on her paws waiting for each of her friends to open their eyes.
Marley was first, her mouth dropped open as she searched for words. Lily sputtered when her emerald eyes landed on the little red wolf. Alice's reaction was by far the best, "Freya! You're beautiful!"
She hopped up and scrambled over the coffee table, "Can I pet you?"
Freya sat up, leaning her head towards Alice's hand.
After a few minutes Freya sat on the couch in human form, looking over at Lily, "New Orleans doesn't fall under MACUSA law and even if it did, Animagi don't have to register. So until I moved here, I hadn't broken any rules. I do plan to register after graduation," Freya assured the worried-looking redhead.
When dinner time rolled around Lily ushered the girls downstairs, walking into the Great Hall Freya noticed the absence of the Marauders and looked up at the enchanted ceiling. It was showing off an enchanted version of the full moon that would be high in the sky later.
Freya made a mental note to carry around some extra chocolate for the next couple of days.
Sirius and James managed to just barely beat the bell. Slipping into the potions classroom and quietly taking their seats, smirking at each other.
"What did you do?" Freya mumbled as she pulled her notes and book out of her bag.
Sirius leaned back in his chair, "Why do you always assume I've done something, maybe I'm just in a good mood."
"That makes one of us," she mumbled in reply.
Sirius took a long look at his potions partner and noticed several things; first, she looked exhausted, not that he'd be brave enough to say that out loud.
But what he saw next caught him a bit off guard, Freya had freckles, just a strip over her nose, and her blue eyes were much lighter, her normally pin-straight hair has several random curls through it.
Sirius leaned over and quietly whispered, "Fea, are you alright?"
"Peachy," she quickly replied, as she continued to make a list of things they needed from the storeroom.
Sirius decided not to press his luck with the grumpy Gryffindor and started setting up the equipment.
Once both girls had left the table, Sirius gave the signal and all hell broke loose.
James cauldron started billowing green smoke, accompanied by the smell of vomit. Several students started gagging including Freya.
Professor Slughorn herded the students into the hall before trying to diffuse the chaos his classroom had turned into.
Even after finding the source and stopping the disastrous reaction the classroom still smelled and the class was canceled for the day.
Freya noticed as the students dispersed James and Sirius were already missing.
As the boys slipped into DADA Sirius noticed Freya standing by Lily in the corner, "Someone looks like they feel better. "
"I took a nap," Freya smiled, "and ate way too much at lunch."
"Well, I'm glad to hear everyone benefited from Prongs's little mishap in potions."
Freya laughed as Lily rolled her eyes.
"I have some exciting news," Professor Prewett called out, "The headmaster has taken an interest in our little competition so there is going to be a bit of a change, Friday before the Halloween feast, the two best duelers from this class and my seventh year N.E.W.T. class will have their duels in the Great Hall before dinner. The winner from each class level will face off after."
He waited for the class to murmur for a second, "Now I know you're thinking the seventh years know more but.. half the battle is intuition, with a good head on your shoulders you're just as capable."
As the class settled down the professor started to call pairs at random to the front, basing the outcome on the first student with three hits.
Freya watched and laughed along with the rest of the class as different spells shot across the room. James had taken out his Hufflepuff counterpart with a particularly nasty stinging hex. Peter lost to Snape in an epic blaze of failure, Lily's tickling jinx rendered Marlene useless as she laughed so hard everyone thought she was going to choke.
"Alright," the redheaded professor dug into the bag of names, "We have time for one more, Sirius Black and...Freya Fawley," he glanced over at the pair who were both looking uncomfortable, "Well this should be... interesting."
They both walked to the front, wands ready, and bowed, "I'll go easy on you," Sirius smirked.
"Your funeral," Freya lifted back up and they moved to their spots, "3..2..1.."
"Expelliarmus," Sirius yelled.
"Protego," Freya countered, throwing a stinging hex behind it, Sirius threw up a shield of his own causing the hex to bounce off.
Sirius cast a tickling jinx which Freya dodged, "Avis," Freya yelled, a small cluster of canaries fluttered above her.
"Birds Fea?" Sirius laughed as Freya smirked and called out, "Oppugno." The birds flew forward attacking Sirius, through his yelling and swatting of the little yellow birds, he pointed his wand and cast, "Alarte Ascendare,"
Freya felt herself lifted in the air and promptly dropped on the ground, "Ow," she groaned getting up, "Tarantallegra."
The Gryffindor boy's legs started dancing all on their own, Sirius wasted no time sending another disarming spell her way this time hitting its mark, "Avifors," he said, his legs stilled as soon as Freya had lost her wand… again.
As the jet of light headed towards her, Freya held out her hands, casting a bright wandless shield, keeping one hand up she twisted the other around throwing it back out with a finger pointed at Sirius, "Stupefy!"
He wasn't expecting to be thrown back as he hit the wall behind him with a resounding thud, he groaned as the professor stepped in between them, "and that's three, congratulations Miss Fawley, you'll be moving on to the next round."
Freya smiled and walked over holding out her hand for Sirius, "I let you win," he said as she pulled him up, "Sure you did," she laughed.